Ryan Jerz :: Reno Blogger, Reno Blog

Fun, conversations, and occasional journalism from Reno, Nevada
Also, a small-town hick just looking for his five minutes


Short Book Review: Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

freakonomics Author(s): Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Publisher: William Morrow
ISBN: 0061234001
Amazon | ShelfariI finished Freakonomics about two weeks ago and finally am getting around to putting up what I thought of it. Actually, I’ve been trying to get through the blog posts they included in the “revised and expanded edition” that I have. I’ve got to say that it was a fantastic book.

I’m game for someone trying to figure out new ways of thinking and exploring issues that seem to be resolved. Moneyball was the first book I read that was in this vein, and it was an instant classic to me. Freakonomics is right up the same alley and couldn’t have been a better addition to my library.

Here is my review from Shelfari

Outstanding. Any book that is based on the premise that conventional wisdom is generally wrong starts off very well with me. The use of economics to distill certain “truths” down into entirely re-thought principles and ideas is innovative and, to be sure, brilliant. I can see the more traditional economics professors hating the influx of Freakonomics disciples at departments nationwide.

The chapter that most resonated with me was the one about real estate agents and the KKK. On the surface, and certainly among some people, the idea that the two are similar is offensive. But as you will see in reading the book, there is something in common among them and perhaps that offensive connection is what actually makes you understand that we’re not dealing with the surface here. The result is the removal of emotion from the critical thinking that goes into the ideas presented in the book, and a return to actual thought. It sure seems simple, but if you take a good look around, we’re devoid of that type of thinking. Like I said, outstanding.

In short, I loved the book. I’m disappointed that it both took me this long to get to it and that it wasn’t included in the curriculum of one of my graduate school classes. The innovative thinking seems like it would have fit right in and given us something to discuss. It was also a simple way to see new ways of thinking—the perfect example of how we wanted to approach our ideas for journalism.


tags: critical thinking, economics, freakonomics, ku klux klan, real estate, short book review, stephen dubner, steven levitt
posted by Ryan Jerz on 01/23/2008

Comments

Scottsdale real estate, Jan 24, 02:07 AM #:

Thanks so much for the great review. I have been wanting to read, Freakonomics, but haven’t gotten around to it. Thanks for reminding me!! :)

Josh, Jan 25, 12:22 AM #:

Totally concur. Loved the book. Wow it looks like you have two readers in Phoenix/Scottsdale.

Amanda, Jan 28, 10:32 PM #:

Hi Ryan! This is Amanda from Shelfari. I really enjoyed Freakonomics (and appreciate you mentioning our site). I rarely make the time to re-read a book, but I might have to use a few exceptions for this one :) Happy Reading!

sonnyr, Jan 29, 03:52 PM #:

Ryan, I just read this a few months ago and have to concur with the positive review. I would have loved it even more if they would have applied this critique to journalism and economics, the fields of the authors. Last week I came across a web article about the economist from this book (name escapes) who just did a similar analysis looking at drivers licenses and a few other emotion laden topics. Heck, it may have been through your website that I found that article.

Another book I have read that caused me to think about the presumptions of the masses is from Bill Bryson. In “A Brief History of Nearly Everything” he gave me a humorous and humbling set of things to consider about the orb we spin on. I recommend the audiobook as it helps to deliver the humor and you don’t have to struggle with the pronunciations of people’s names or science terms. s

Ryan Jerz, Feb 1, 04:09 AM #:

Thanks for the recommendation, Sonny. I’ll have to add it to my list. The rate at which I read should mean I’ll get to it in about three years. Hope it still works then.

Amanda, I love Shelfari. Use it like crazy and have gotten a bunch of ideas for reading from it. I tell everyone who will listen that it’s a great site.

Josh, nice. Love the Phoenix scene here.

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