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Book review...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Freakonomics by Steven D.Levitt & Stephen J.Dubner

Onto another book review that strays out of the music genre, but we can't be living that ghetto lifestyle 24/7 you know. Sometimes you have to step away and be entertained by other means.

While economics may analyse how individuals and societies seek to satisfy their needs and wants, Freakonomics takes a simpler view of things to get people into an economist’s way of thinking.

The subjects chosen at first may seem pretty random, but on reading one chapter you'll begin to understand the similarities between a member of the Ku-Klux Klan and an estate agent.

At first that may seem such a strange comparison to make but the way the authors break down their case you quickly understand each other’s common goal.

The reason behind having what would seem to be two different cases compared is to get people to become economists in their own right. By asking the right questions many of life’s everyday mysteries don't need to be so mysterious.

The subject of economics isn’t one that immediately strikes people as being very glamorous or sexy. It gets the least recognition when it comes to handing out the Nobel Prize in that field but the theories put forward by the economist Steven D.Levitt and his research will change the notion that economics is only about finance.

The chapter on “Why do drug dealers live with their mums?” is an intricate breakdown of the drug selling hierarchy that is no different to the corporate model of a company like McDonalds. Where people at the top make substantial wealthy gains while the foot soldiers carry all the risk for little pay.

Freakonomics is a book that should be read by anyone who wants to further their thinking of everyday issues. By thinking outside the box and taking a different approach to matter, like putting the fall in crime in America down to not an improvement in policing but abortion being made legal - Steven D.Levitt manages to make statements that on the face of it seem outrageous but when you think about it, make a lot of sense.

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