SuperFreakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance - Kindle edition by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner. Politics & Social Sciences Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

still fun! While reading I just keep thinking to myself

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Jay

December 12, 2017

Format: Audible AudiobookVerified Purchase

very interesting to read, although not so helpful in self-improvements, still fun!
While reading I just keep thinking to myself, a lot of these conclusions were based on the law of large numbers, so a lot of more likely/less likely in there(if you know what I mean). I mean even if the percentage of occurrence of one thing is 1% higher than the other, you can say that's more likely to happen. But I personally think sometimes that's not anything worth concluding.
The author of the black swan will probably oppose a lot of the conclusions made in this book since they don't count outliers..

One person found this helpful

Long term customerTop Contributor: Star Trek

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Probably worth 4.5 stars

August 29, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Interesting and such a fun book, but surely you don't believe everything you read ? Here is a different perspective on several different sociologic topics important to our society. Many of its' tenets will be difficult to prove conclusively, but it is an eye opening look at counter-intuitive consequences of economic incentives. Overall ,the theme of intended consequences and surprising effects of various public policies holds true and makes for a compelling read.

4 people found this helpful

Not a masterpiece but important inquiry

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R. Robinson

May 28, 2010

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

The reason I do like this book is simple: the best economics is all about practical theory and applications, the original economists were trying to solve very simple problem such as how to keep people from abusing the common, is there enough food to go around, etc.

But, there are several problems with his book:
The writing style/prose editing suggest readers with a short attention span, every time I get started on a topic it switches to another topic (the chapters have several subtopics and points seamlessly intermixed). The author's self-awareness of their success from the 1st book is painfully aware in this one, the sequel. For those in the sciences it is well known that a thesis is only as good as the data collected; and much of the authors data is from small sample sizes they go on the claim as irrefutable law (most contentious is the abortion and the crime rate correlation from the 1st book), which makes their hypothesis always...questionable; and for those critical of the Freakonimics series is their main argument against them.

In the end the book does what they probably intend, makes economics a philosophy relevant for the masses again. This book presents people with material for conversation and debate after dinner with friends and family. No longer something for government committees and corporations board of directors, economics is back to its practical roots. Bit these books are just that, not necessarily critical study but contrary based investigation of some interesting and important questions, insisting that dialogue and further inquiry of the selected subject matters occur.

7 people found this helpful

Not as interesting as the first book.....

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Andrew Kim

July 6, 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Perhaps expected more enlitenment than presented. The first book Freakonomics was interesting read.
However, this book has additional facts but not much in enlightening department. Maybe there is no
more thunder after the first book. I found the read to be bordering on boaring and as compared to the
first booka sore dissapointment. Well better luck next time guys.

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March 20, 2011

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

If you enjoyed Freakonomics (or you've a thing for trivia), you'll like this one; it's more of the same.
The authors go about explaining why a simple, intuitive or knee-jerk understanding of the whys and hows of our world is often mistaken and why. And they do it with a sense of humor, providing amusing and interesting real-life & historical examples (although nothing, in my opinion, will ever quite live up to the drug dealers of the last volume!).
All in all, this qualifies as a sort of non-fiction "beach read." Econ-lite.

So why 3 stars?
I read this on Kindle, and somehow one of the charts was missing (another chart from another section of the book appeared in its place), so if shoddy e-editing drives you nuts. . . maybe avoid the Kindle edition.

11 people found this helpful

If you loved the first book, you will enjoy the second.

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Mookie B

Not as good as the first one but still an entertaining read.

Published 14 days ago

Archer

Five Stars

Great shape

Published 18 days ago

Rachel Staples

best text book of my life

Had to purchase for my doctoral program & so far, best text book of my life! Really enjoyed it. Fun read.

Published 1 month ago

RVesporator

Just as good as the first

Great read. Just as good as the first. Only thing I didn't like was how the info-graphics were out of place and were confusing to follow.

Published 1 month ago

mam_gigi

This book was probably less informative and less useful in the classroom setting than the previous novel

This book was probably less informative and less useful in the classroom setting than the previous novel. It seemed more designed to sensationalize than to inform.

A great and amazing book on the economics you never consider

Lynn Scadden

A great and amazing book on the economics you never consider...

Following up Freakonomics.

Juan Carlos Mejía

This book is frankly outstanding. Is the perfect follow up of Freakonomics. If you enjoyed Freakonomics you must read Superfreakonomics.

Interesting and relevant topics that make you want to learn more and start discussions with your friends. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to learn and be entertained.

Carlene H.

Excellent!