The Hidden Side of Everything, Freakonomics by Yagdizie Martinez Perez

Often times, people are so worried about doing things exactly right, trying to be perfect. In reality, humans are far from it! Freakonomics is an interesting book that jumps from one topic to another because the authors are trying to provide the readers examples so they can understand what the point the authors are trying to make is. Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner wrote this book in such way that they provide the readers statistical data and real-life examples in order to create credibility. Furthermore, the book discusses how stereotypes are developed by individuals that make presumptions about people’s lifestyles. Rating the book on a personal opinion on a scale from 1-10, ten being the best, I would rate this book an 8 because the topic is hard to engage with. After reading this book, I question those who portray themselves as perfect. Portraying yourself as perfect would mean that you are never willing to cheat for your own benefit. The book gives a new point of view that describes how people react to situations in a self-benefiting way. Personally, I would recommend this book to anybody who is interested in the study of human behavior.

Corruption and Illusion within the World by Ricardo Parra

We have all been deceived in the way we view the world, mainly due to corruption and a false perspective on the world. This is the main idea in Freakonomics, a non-fiction pbook by Steven D. Levitt and Stephan J. Dubner. It presents ideas to the reader that makes them think outside the box because, as explained in the book, there is always a hidden side to everything. It proves this theory by statistically explaining real life examples. As you read you’ll learn what sumo wrestlers have in common with teachers, the similarities between a Ku Klux Klan member and a real-estate agent, how children are in more danger swimming than being around an actual gun, and how your name may actually effect your future. These are just a few examples of interesting facts and ideas that are presented by these two authors in the 300 pages of Freakonomics. Their main goal for readers is to purely present their ideas in order to open up people minds, and not to live so blindly.

I would honestly rate this book an 8 out of 10 for its ability to make people’s mind blown after realizing that what seemed so distant and uncommon actually is more common than anyone realizes, as well as making the reader have a different perspective than the one they began with. I for one certainly did. However the constant statistical and formal word choice really does make this book confusing at times.

Freakonomics maybe a New York Best Seller, however I do not recommend it to just anybody. I feel it would bore a lot people who don’t really like to read statistical information as well as it may offend those who are strongly against abortions because there is a part where the authors explain how abortions may actually be benefiting society. I do recommend this book if you are one who purely enjoys thinking outside of the box or just thinking beyond the horizon.

Becoming a Freakonomist through Freakonomics by Kevin Nunez

A true students’ mind-set is based on deductive reasoning and utilizes all of the information that it has in its arsenal in order to draw conclusions. Although not all students may understand the meaning of this, those who do choose to abide by this concept are skeptical. The authors of Freakonomics (2009), Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt, named these individuals Freakonomists. Freakonomics is based on a series of bizarre complex questions, followed by an extensive analysis of large quantities of data that are answered through a process of deductive reasoning. Despite the fact that the questions presented may, at first sight, appear to be nothing but jokes, they are in fact concrete questions. One question presented is, “What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common?” Because Freakonomics implements critical thinking and does so excellently, based on my criteria, this book would receive a score of four, with a perfect score ranging to a five. The reason that Freakonomics would receive a score of four is because of the informal style of writing. However, the authors do an excellent job of presenting basic knowledge necessary to understand difficult topics without disrupting the flow of the text, which allows you to analyze the information and make decisions based on scenarios.

The decision of whether or not Freakonomics is the type of book you would enjoy was made long before you reached this portion of the book review. If you stopped to think about the question presented earlier, then Freakonomics is a book that will introduce you to a new way of thinking; however, if you simply sped through the question without much thought, then this book perhaps may not be the best choice for you, but may certainly be a decent one. That is because Freakonomics depends on the craving of information to diffuse ideas across smoothly to the readers, and if not much thought is given to the questions presented, then Freakonomics’ greatest aspects are nullified. However, I would recommend Freakonomics to every student with hopes to pursue a greater education because of the importance of the contents of the epilogue: Two Paths to Harvard.

What’s so Freakish about Economics? by Anastasia Stillsmoking Avila

In general I know economics could be very boring to discuss or even read about, but

its different with this book in particular. It allowed me, currently a junior in high school, to stay

hooked without even having to overwork my brain or thoughts.

 

 

The nonfiction book, Freakomics, is written by Steven D. Levitt, an economist, and Stephen J.

 

Dubner ,a journalist, who collaborated together to analyze and seek out the truth behind everyday

 

life. They question and analyze the motives that lead to cheating by ironically comparing a teacher

to a Japanese Sumo wrestler, two professions that are entirely different from one another. Other

 

questions that the authors address are:  What is conventional wisdom? Why are drug dealers still

living with their mom?

 

I rate this book a bold four out of five stars, for its simplicity and character. The authors

used such fluid and simple diction that makes it very accessible and easy to understand by

utilizing words that aren’t loaded and complicated . Also, Levitt and Dubner provide

great demonstrations and humor to make the book even more appealing and worthwhile. I

definitely and strongly recommend this book to high school students who are interested in

economics, but also for the people who are curious as well. The book provides a great insight on the

 

fundamental principles in modern economics involved in everyone's life. What is discovered is

 

freakishly surprising.