Stephen J. Dubner Books

Which is more dangerous, a gun or a swimming pool? What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? Why do drug dealers still live with their moms? These questions may seem atypical for an economist, but Steven D. Levitt is not an ordinary economist. He examines the riddles of everyday life—cheating, crime, sports, and parenting—often overturning conventional wisdom. Starting with vast amounts of data and simple, overlooked questions, he delves into life-and-death issues and some that are more peculiar. This leads to the exploration of a new field: freakonomics. Through engaging storytelling and sharp insights, Levitt and co-author Stephen J. Dubner demonstrate that economics fundamentally studies incentives—how people achieve their desires, especially when others have competing needs. They investigate the hidden aspects of various topics, including the dynamics of a crack gang, the realities of real estate agents, the myths surrounding campaign finance, the signs of cheating educators, and the secrets of the Ku Klux Klan. These narratives share a common belief: the modern world, despite its complexities and deceptions, is understandable and intriguing if approached with the right questions. Levitt's clever thinking reveals how to navigate through the clutter.

Here at last is the long awaited sequel to the international bestselling phenomenon, Freakonomics. Steven Levitt, the original rogue economist, and Stephen Dubner have been working hard, uncovering the hidden side of even more controversial subjects, from charity to terrorism and prostitution. And with their inimitable style and wit, they will take us on another even more gripping journey of discovery.<br /><br />Four years in the making, SUPERFREAKONOMICS will once again transform the way we look at the world. It reveals, among other things, why you are more likely to be killed walking drunk than driving drunk; how a prostitute is more likely to sleep with a policeman than be arrested by one; why terrorists might be easier to track down than you would imagine; how a sex change ould boost your salary; and how there really is a cheap fix for climate change.<br /><br />The freakuel is even bolder, funnier and more surprising than its predecessor. With their unflinching analysis Levitt and Dubner overturn received wisdom: looking more deeply, asking more questions and, above all, thinking a little differently. Because sometimes the most superfreaky solution is the simplest.