Freakonomics
Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
Synopsis
Freakonomics is a book that explores the side of economics that no one else is willing to explore. They discuss the more sensitive issues as well as explaining correlations between seemingly uncorrelated things. They discuss the sensitive relationship of abortion legalization to decreasing crime rates in the 90’s. They compare very unusual circumstances that would normally not appear to have anything in common. Examples of this are chapters one and two entitled, “What Do Schoolteachers And Sumo Wrestlers Have In Common?” and, “How Is The Ku Klux Klan Like A Group Of Real-Estate Agents?” respectively. They then go on to answer extremely odd questions such as, “Why Do Drug Dealers Still Live With Their Moms?” The questions then become tamer. “Where Have All The Criminals Gone?” and, “What Makes A Perfect Parent?” These questions may seem normal compared to the others, but their answers are anything but normal. This book takes an incredibly unusual stance on everything from teachers cheating on standardized tests to drug dealers living with their mothers. Freakonomics was an enjoyable book that gave a unique perspective to specialized issues that I never would have explored on my own. This book is full of unique and interesting information.