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Freakonomics

A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

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Freakonomics

By: Stephen J. Dubner, Steven D. Levitt
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 Inspiring Thought-Provoking
All stars
Most relevant
Brings micro economics to life and makes statistical analysis interesting and entertaining plus thought provoking. Very American in its orientation. Although 3 stars, a must.

Micro economics for all

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I've bought 20 or so audiobooks now, and this one is my favourite by a long way. Part of its appeal is the excellent content: yes, it's about economics, but you won't hear complicated algorithms or boring spreadsheets being discussed. Instead, Freakonomics points out problems - 'how can we find out whether teachers fudge the numbers on their students exams?' or 'if drug dealers make so much money, why do most of them with their mothers?' - then discusses how the problem was solved using a mixture of cunning, inspiration and skill.

You find yourself laughing at the weird and wonderful results the authors found, because it's truly fascinating stuff. Of course, it also helps that it's very well-presented (an excellent reading, sparky music, fun chapter breaks that focus on people as well as problems, etc), which means this is one of the very few 'must buy' audiobooks out there. I just hope there'll be a sequel soon!

Well presented and fun - buy it now!

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Well-written, pacey account of some of Leavitt's research and interests. A little of everything is here: whether it is uncovering how teachers can (and sometimes do) fiddle test scores, or studying how drug gangs operate internally. Not so much a study of economics as a window on the motivations that drive society at the start of the twenty-first century. Very thought-provoking.

Extremely enjoyable!

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Why was there a musical interludes half way through most of the chapters? The concepts are quite interesting but a lot of them are so a big “so what?”

It was okay…

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A very interesting listen, but quite repetitive. Like others was expecting more from all the 5 star reviews.

Quite good

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