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  • The Undercover Economist

  • By: Tim Harford
  • Narrated by: Cameron Stewart
  • Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (580 ratings)
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The Undercover Economist

By: Tim Harford
Narrated by: Cameron Stewart
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Summary

Ever wondered why the gap between rich and poor nations is so great, or why it's so difficult getting a foot on the property ladder, or how to outwit Starbucks? This audiobook offers the hidden story behind these and other questions, as economist Tim Harford reveals how supermarkets, airlines, and coffee chains, to name just a few, are vacuuming money from our wallets. Written with a light, humorous touch but backed up by the latest economic research, this eye-opening book exposes the forces that shape our day-to-day lives, often without our knowing it.
©2006 Tim Harford (P)2007 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"A playful guide to the economics of everyday life, and as such is something of an elder sibling to Steven Levitt's wild child, the hugely successful Freakonomics." ( The Economist)
"This is a book to savour." ( The New York Times)

What listeners say about The Undercover Economist

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Better than Feakonomics - more in depth

I have come to the world of Economics like many people via the route of Freakonmics. As much as I enjoyed Freakonomics I felt there was a very small amount of (admittedly excellent) content spread over a longer book.

This book is different. The author sometimes takes a while setting the scene but this all adds to the understanding of the principles he is explaining. I can honestly say that my understanding of the world is greater having listened to this book. The narration is fine, with a pleasant english voice that doesn't grip you but at the same time does not become tiresome.

I would certainly purchase another book by this author

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

basic classroom econ with some application

For a student of economics, there is certainly a good deal of repetition. I appreciate the attempt to link the theories from class with real world phenomena. If only the academic environment would do that. However I was disappointed by the lack of critical reflection of the theories discussed, the lack of empirical evidence (most of the book is armchair reasoning as is so common in the economics classroom) and Tim's new work i.e. cautionary tales is 100 times better. On a side note, the voice over wad quite boring, much prefer Tim's lucid stories and commentary.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good ideas, we'll explained.

some really good ideas and concepts of basic economics and how the world works in here, worth a listen if you want to know more about what makes the world tick!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

very well researched and explained

really enjoyed listening to this book
informative, clear, great examples. well read. lots of information

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good into to economics

Good intro and enjoyable, but skins some big issues
The last chapter is fascinating and deserves a book in itself

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good introduction and summary of the world economy

Good introduction and summary of the world economy. easy to follow and chapters are well structured. Tim Harford comes across very pro globalisation and does I feel bush over some of the negative impacts that deserve more in depth discussion.
overall would recommend this book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

This really is an excellent book, well narrated and I walked away with a significantly greater amount of knowledge regarding economic's than when I started. This book was pitched exactly at the right level for me and the key to making this book work is the examples and stories that are told throughout, which I think most people will be able to relate to, in their everyday lives.

If you have a passing interest in economic's and are looking for somewhere to start or to build on the
knowledge that you already have, then I would really recommend this truly entertaining book.

In fact, I would guess that even somebody with no interest in economic's would find something in this book. It makes you realise that economics affects everybody and is everywhere.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Extremely interesting

Very interesting and informative book. It is great for laymen like me, a tiny bit dry at some sections, but excellent overall. Be aware that it is from 2007, a lot has changed since. I wish there was an update...

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating introduction to microeconomics ruined by posh narrator

The content is excellent: very interesting and well explained but enjoyment of the audiobook is severely impaired by the posh voice of the narrator, which is so posh it is difficult to understand in places. If only Tim Halford had read his own book!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

V. good

Well written and accessible for all. His stories, humour (usually self-deprecating) brings a human perspective often missing from the textbooks!

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