Book Review: Freakonomics

I didn't read the last 50 pages of this book. I should have stopped reading at 50 pages. Actually, I should have never started this book.

"Freakonomics" is a book that tries to explain social (and to an extent cultural) phenomenons with economic theory. The problem with this book is that economic theory is not an easy subject to understand. In an effort for this book to appeal to the masses, the theory and process is watered down so far that it makes equilibrium analysis look like child's play.

Maybe it was the hype the book received--it has been on the NY Times Best Seller List for almost a year, maybe the 4-star rating it received on Amazon, maybe it was because the cover of this book is also the cover for The Division Group's Apple/Orange EP, or maybe it was because I made the mistake of reading "The Tipping Point" and telling people about it and then having them tell me I should read "Freakonomics."

Rather than go in to the details of why I disliked this book, this post will serve as a reminder to not read books recommended by my work superiors. "Reefer Madness," "Don't Think of an Elephant," "The Tipping Point," and now "Freakonomics"--all recommended to me and all books I didn't enjoy reading.