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Freakonomics

A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

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Freakonomics

By: Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
Narrated by: Stephen J. Dubner
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.
WITH A NEW FOREWORD CELEBRATING 20 YEARS SINCE PUBLICATION
Assume nothing, question everything.

This is the message at the heart of Freakonomics, Levitt and Dubner's rule-breaking, iconoclastic book about crack dealers, cheating teachers and bizarre baby names that turned everyone's view of the world upside-down and became an international multi-million-copy-selling phenomenon.
Asking provocative and profound questions about human motivation, Freakonomics will make you see the familiar world through a completely original lens.

'A sensation... you'll be stimulated, provoked and entertained. Of how many books can that be said?' Sunday Telegraph
'Prepare to be dazzled' Malcolm Gladwell

'Has you chuckling one minute and gasping in amazement the next' Wall Street Journal

© Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

 Economics Microeconomics Social Sciences Sociology Theory Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant
This book is like having an in depth debate about the complexities of life with a best mate. The fact that there really insn't a theme apart from getting you to think is even more exciting. A thoroughly enjoyable listen particulary on those long motorway drives.

Thought provoking and inspiring

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Some parts are missing some parts are cut, although book is great. Probably better to buy a paper or digital copy

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I am a fan of The Power of Habit and Factfulness and in general of books that tend to go against "conventional wisdom", generally accepted "facts" etc. This book follows a similar, fact/data-based approach to reaching answers. I've listened to the Freakonomics podcast frequently before this book but I dont feel like listening to it was a waste of time. It provides a more general overview of how to look for an actual answer, rather than a conventional or idealistic one.
My only regret is that the book was so concentrated on the two main themes (abortion-crime and parents-children links) and dive into some other nuances, but overall it's a great and important piece of writing that will be eye-opening for a lot of people.

Simply an interesting book

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Captivating in parts, extremely boring section on children's names.
The parenting section made no sense to me, since it assumes grades are the only measure of success.

some intriguing topics

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Very engaging read and straightforward to follow. Gives a new dimension and perspective to issues of today. Having listened to this book, I'm much more sceptical about statistics which are quoted in the media and ideas that have become the 'conventional wisdom'. I would have like more explanation of the methods and the listener might apply in their own life or work. Not everything in the book works being read out - on a couple of occasions when the narrator was reading out lists I switched off.

Kate Jay

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