Comments on: Why Freakonomics Is The Worst Book I’ve Ever Read

By: John Boon

John Boon — Sun, 31 May 2009 01:55:41 +0000

I have just read 25 pages of Freakonomics, and I know already that it is a bad book, and not worth reading through to the end, but I shall probably do so anyway….Why do I keep making the same mistake of reading those little tags alongside the books in the bookshop “This book will shock you and make you think, etc, etc…” and then buying the book thinking that it will be as good as it is made out to be? I guess I am swayed bypublic opinion, but I should realise by now that I do not share conventional American Values on such things as neo-liberalism, gun-culture, behaviourism, religion, war-politics, and so on, and therefore I am unlikely to respond in the same way as most Americans to abook like this one, which is truly American and truly awful.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:35:16 +0000

I actually liked the book, but not because I agree with it. I found it funny, and was very intrigued by the creativity it takes to come up with most of the stuff in the book. I found it really interesting to watch how all of the stats were spun and applied to situations where there was no real cause and effect relationship. Like Ted, I took a degree with a math-heavy course load (chemistry, math minor) and was not only impressed by how the stats were used, but also how they were presented. Some people without a lot of knowledge in cause-effect relationships may fall into a trap (and based on the fact that its a best seller, it looks like a lot of people did)
Kim

By: Ted Valentine

Ted Valentine — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:41:27 +0000

This book was 100% for shock value. My hackles were up from the very beginning. When I read the introduction that goes on and on about how smart the author is, and then ever chapter lead in repeats that, I know I’m trying to be had. Res ipsa loquitur — If he’s that smart, I don’t need to be told.

To expound on your review, Trent: The part about the KKK was awful. Stetson Kennedy did not take down the Klan just because he fed their secrets to a kid’s radio show. It took a lot more than that from the Federal Government and a lot of changes in our country’s laws. Also, the author’s presumption that lynchings were the primary form of Klan violence and that KKK violence decreased as membership rose was irresponsible and a flat out lie. Hello church bombings?!?!?

As an engineer, I’ve taken a LOT of math in school and used it for decades. I know what someone can do with data through massaging and data mining. (Anything you want). Levitt is like a modern day magician. You can’t really make the Statue of Liberty disappear. But you can fool a lot of people into believing you did with illusions and deception.

The book makes for very interesting after dinner conversation, but very little real substance. For that reason it was an entertaining read, but it still had a lot of B.S. in it.

By: jake

jake — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 11:57:33 +0000

I know a lot of close friends who swear by this book, and would have a fit if they read this review :P I have not read it myself, though I do plan to.

I can only say that I believe it has gained a big following probably from the fact that it is so radical in the way that it approaches economics and how it relates to the world.

After I read it I’ll come back with my own personal opinion, and to see if I agree or disagree with you and why.