If you think Economics is for the boring geeks, Freakonomics will be a great book to dispel that myth. Economist Steven D. Levitt is not the typical number-crunching Economics professor (he even self-proclaims that he is poor in mathematics). He posed interesting, if not wacky questions that could be solved using an Economics sense.There is no unifying theme in this book. Here's a sneak peek:
Introduction: The Hidden Side to Everything
What do Schoolteachers and Sumo Wrestlers Have in Common?
How is the Ku Klux Klan Like a Group of Real-Estate Agents?
Why do Drug Dealers still Live with their Mums?
Where have all the Criminals gone?
What makes a Perfect Parent?
Would a Roshanda by Any Other Name Smell as Sweet?
Although some of Levitt's points are controversial (such as Legalisation of Abortion caused a reduction of crime in America), they have their due merits. Levitt simplifies Economics by emphasising on fundamentals of the subject (i.e. Humans respond to incentives; holding all other variables constant when comparing; causality, etc.)
Refer to the Freakonomics Blog for ongoing wacky questions and solutions.
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
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