Review: Superfreakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
by Jenners • 10/16/2010 • 4 Stars, D Authors, L Authors, Non-Fiction, S Titles • 38 Comments
1 book I read―Superfreakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
2 words that describe the book―Freaky Economics (Duh!)
- Nathan Myhrvold, a former Microsoft executive, is one of the co-founders of Intellectual Ventures (IV)—an invention company that has come up with a variety of creative and affordable fixes for a variety of problems, ranging from hurricanes (they could literally stop them!) and global warming. It boggled my mind that a group of people like those found at IV exist—and they’ve found solutions for huge problems that are available RIGHT NOW! Learning about why these solutions are not being implemented was fascinating as well as a bit upsetting.
- Allie—a self-made woman who runs her own profitable business, which just happens to be as a $300 an hour prostitute. We meet Allie in the chapter on the economics of prostitution, which explains (among other things) why oral sex got so cheap. (During this particular chapter, you could be forgiven for thinking “Would being a prostitute really be such a bad job?” But, as you read on, you’ll quickly be relieved of this idea.)
- Keith Chen, an associate professor of economics at Yale, who attempted to find out “What would happen if I could teach a bunch of monkeys to use money?” What he finds is fascinating—and allowed Chen to have the distinction of seeing the “first instance of monkey prostitution in the recorded history of science.” I TOLD you this book was about freaky economics!
4 things I liked or disliked about the book
- I was a huge fan of the first Freakonomics book so when I saw there was a follow-up, I knew I had to read it. As with the first book, Superfreakonomics is packed with interesting information. However, I found it to be more scattered and less cohesive than the first book. At times, it was hard to remember that this book had anything at all to do with economics. It often felt more like a “check out the weird research this guy did!” Yet I’d still recommend it. As far as economics books go, you won’t find many that are more accessible or engaging.
- I liked how the topics ranged all over the place. Consider this partial list of topics covered in the book: the perils of walking drunk, prostitution, the male-female wage gap, the worst month to have a baby, the trickle down effects of September 11th, telling a good doctor from a bad one, how to postpone death, the Kitty Genovese murder, the roots of altruism, kidney donation in Iran, the Endangered Species Act, dead whales, the history of seatbelts, hurricanes, global warming, the Club versus LoJack, why hand washing matters, and (of course) monkey prostitution.
- Although I liked the wide range of topics covered, this did result in a scattershot feeling. Lots of stuff is discussed, but the text jumps from one to the other so quickly that I had a hard time remembering what I was reading or had read. In fact, going back to write this review some months after reading this book, I kept thinking to myself “I don’t really remember that. They talked about kidney donation in Iran? Oh yeah … that was interesting. Kitty Genovese? Who was that? Oh…that’s right. Now I remember.” Yet, despite this flaw, it was still a fast and interesting read.
- Of all the things I read about in this book, the one that made me crazy was that there are solutions for major problems that could be implemented RIGHT NOW but aren’t due to a variety of political and economic reasons. I’m sure residents of Florida, Louisiana and other areas plagued by hurricanes would be quite interested in learning about the low-tech, low-cost technology that could potentially prevent hurricanes from forming and wreaking havoc.
5 stars or less for my rating:
I’m giving the book 4 stars. Just like the first Freakonomics book, this book was a fast-paced and interesting read. If you detest economics and couldn’t imagine voluntarily reading a book about economics, I’m here to tell you should make an exception for this series. Although the book felt a bit scattered and less focused than the first book, I’d still recommend it. If you’re a fan of accessible non-fiction, this book is a must read. And, if you have the misguided idea that non-fiction books are boring or dry, this book will change your mind. I mean, it talks about MONKEY PROSTITUTION!
The Whys and Wheres: I bought this book for my Kindle way back in May with my Mother’s Day gift card on Amazon.
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I felt the same way about this one – good, but it was much more scattered than the first.
And I didn’t feel like they “rushed” it in terms of when it was published but it felt a bit like a rush job.
Jason read the first book too but he’s been debating on this one because it only came in hardcover. Maybe I should get it for the kindle so he can finally read this book. He’s been trying to get me interested in reading the first book but that whole monkey prostitution thing makes me want to read this one first
Keep in mind that the monkey prostitution is a very small part of the book … I may have oversold that aspect of it! : )
I have had a copy of Freakonomics on my shelf for the longest time, and have never even given it the time of day because I am one of the people who thinks reading about economics is boring. But after reading your review, I want to make both of these books my next reads, because they sound really fascinating and like just the type of non-fiction that I love. I am so glad to have read this review and to have found out how interesting these books actually are. Thanks so much for your very funny and informative review. You have inspired me!
I’m so happy to have inspired you to read these. They are anything but boring. Can’t wait to see what you think!
Very interesting. I’m curious to check it out. You have me wondering about monkey prostitution. LOL. Thanks Jenners!
I liked Freakonomics, too, so I’ll check this one out. Looks interesting!
It is interesting. And I’ve gotta check out your post on Kindle Singles and Amazon iPhone Apps! Two things I’m interested in!
Economics bores me, so I dont think I’d enjoy these. Even if they discuss monkey prostitution…lol.
I swear that these wouldn’t bore you.
I did not enjoy economics in school at all. I got my husband the first of these books, but I don’t think he ever read it. Maybe I should pull it out and read it myself. Then we’ll see if we move on to this one.
I HATED economics in school but enjoyed this. Cool that you already have it to check out.
Loved the original Freakonomics, so I definitely want to read this one at some point!
And did you see they made a documentary film based on Freakonomics? I can’t quite imagine that.
Doubt this would be my cup of tea but glad you enjoyed it.
Shouldn’t the words that describe the book be “SUPER freaky economics”?
I haven not read Freakonomics or Superfreakonomics. I have the first one waiting for me on my shelf, patiently biding its time until I decide to throw a non-fiction title into my steady diet of fiction. Your review has made me think maybe that should be sooner rather than later!
It will balance your reading diet … and it provides lots of extra fiber!
Any book that even so much as references Monkey Prostituion is worth a read! I loved my economics class in college, I thought it was so interesting just don’t ask me to tell you what was taught! Thanks for reviewing this book. I wouldn’t have even looked at either this one or the first one otherwise and now I’m thinking I should read them. You should go into sales….
Amy
See, now I HATED my economics class in college. HATED it. If economics had been like this book, I would have loved it.
Oh … and I have some swamp land I’d like to tell you.
Monkey prostitution? I’ve GOT to read this one but I should probably read the first one first.
Just want to point out that the monkey prostitution is, admittedly, a small part of the book. It just tickled my fancy though.
Hmm, I’ll have to take your word that I will enjoy this. Somehow it is difficult to imagine any book with economics in it as interesting.
Trust me … I hate economics as much as the next person (I gave up a scholarship once that involved HAVING to take economics classes). This doesn’t seem remotely related to economics as we think of it (i.e., boring and hard to understand).
I had no idea that’s what these books are like – I always thought they’d be way over my head. The hubby just might find the first one under the Christmas tree this year.
In no way are they over your head. They are really just collections of interesting research that anyone could relate to or understand. (And of interest to men too!)
This sounds like it would make a great car audio. I like short snappy essays to keep me awake, I mean, interested, in the car.
Note to self: Never drive with or near Rhapsody in Books.
Definitely got to give this a go. I found that Freakonomics lost its fizzle about three-quarters of the way through… Too many American examples I couldn’t really identify with, I guess.
This one (in its jumpiness) might be more suited to you. If you don’t like one topic, it will switch soon.
Both of these have been on my list for ages. I really should get to it.
Yes … you should. Now hop to it! ; )
I like to read books like this on a flight – the scattered feeling just seems conducive to my lack of long periods of concentration. Maybe it’s just me
I’m planning to travel in a couple of months so I’ll keep this book in mind. I mean, now I need to see what is up with monkey prostitution!!!
These books are PERFECT for an airplane flight!
I loved Freakonomics too. I haven’t read this one, but plan to at some point. It is disappointing to know that it isn’t quite as good as the original, but you’ve got me intrigued by the monkey prositution
As you can tell from my review, I was intrigued by monkey prostitution too!