Life sometimes seems illogical. Individuals do strange things: take drugs, have unprotected sex, mug each other. Love seems irrational, and so does divorce. On a larger scale, life seems no fairer or easier to fathom: Why do some neighborhoods thrive and others become ghettos? Why is racism so persistent? Why is your idiot boss paid a fortune for sitting behind a mahogany altar? Thorny questions–and you might be surprised to learn the answers from an economist. But Tim Harford, award-winning journalist and author, likes to spring surprises. In this deftly reasoned audiobook, Harford argues that life is logical after all. Under the surface of everyday insanity, hidden incentives are at work, and Harford shows these incentives emerging in the most unlikely places. THE LOGIC OF LIFE is the first book to map out the astonishing insights and frustrating blind spots of a new economics in a way that anyone can enjoy. THE LOGIC OF LIFE presents an X-ray image of human life, stripping away the surface to show us a picture that is revealing, enthralling, and sometimes disturbing. The stories that emerge are not about data or equations but about people. Once you’ve listened to this addictive audiobook, life will never look the same again.
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"I'm a big fan of Harford's, and he does a nice job of synthesizing the current trends in microeconomics and policy for a lay audience. He's got a dry British wit that keeps the entertainment level high while still remaining true to what the research does and doesn't show."
— Jessica (4 out of 5 stars)
" Not as assured as the Underground Economist, but good nonetheless. "
— David, 2/14/2014" The first chapter certainly grabs your attention, however the last two drag, though I did like the explanation of how government incentives/subsidies work. Overall I thought The Undercover Economist was better, but am still a Tim Harford fan. "
— Terrie, 12/29/2013" not as entertaining or as well-structured as 'the undercover economist'. does, however, deal with the often perverse economic rationality of the more significant issues of our time - globalisation, race, voter apathy, interest groups etc. "
— Ingrid, 12/4/2013" It's a good book. If you read this and freakonomics, though, it is hard to remember which is which. "
— Matt, 12/4/2013" *chapter 2, the las vegas not only for the gambler, but also economist..LOL "
— adhy, 12/4/2013" If you like Freakonomics, pick this one up! "
— Brian, 11/25/2013" I have loved this author's other book, undercover economist which is kind of like a freakenomics on steriods. He uses the same kind of economics tools to explain different aspects of life. I keep looking at things as Tim Harford does now. "
— fred, 11/20/2013" From why it's economically feasible for prostitutes to have unprotected sex to why racial bias is still rampant in job hiring, economist Tim Harford provides an interesting read from beginning to end. If you liked Freakanomics, I think you'll enjoy this as well. "
— Rex, 7/15/2013" Not the best in the genre, but if you like books thy distill current trends in economics in lay language, you'll like The Logic of Life. "
— Mark, 4/17/2013" Actually refreshing read, a surprise. Probably worth a few hours of your time. "
— Justin, 11/19/2012" Liked it less than "Undercover Economist", but still enjoyed it. Unfortunately, read it in many small pieces before sleep, so my impression is a bit "fragmented". "
— Sergei, 5/23/2012" A must read if you like behavioral economics. A very interesting book for everybody else. "
— Essam, 5/9/2012" Excellent discussion of how people make rational decisions, including tradeoffs in things as varied as education and where to live, presented in a series of anecdotes that are both interesting and easy to understand. "
— Eric, 3/31/2012" Brought it when Tim Harford came to Warwick to give a talk in TEDxWarwick. Have him signed. "
— Burton, 9/8/2011" I got this because it seemed to be in the same vein as Freakonomics or some of Malcolm Gladwell's stuff. Not really. "
— Dwight, 6/15/2011" Excellent. Everyone should read. Puts economics to work in understanding everyday problems, like why rich people get richer and why your vote doesn't count. "
— Robert, 3/8/2011" Excellent discussion of how people make rational decisions, including tradeoffs in things as varied as education and where to live, presented in a series of anecdotes that are both interesting and easy to understand. "
— Eric, 2/24/2011" It was alright. Nothing too exciting or lifeshattering. "
— Brian, 1/30/2011" Easy reading for a rough overview of some social science issues. "
— Javi, 1/25/2011" This is a great look at economics really accessible and entertaining. Some details were a bit simplified but I'm not sure how else this could have been done. I'd recommend to anyone without an econ background that would like to dip their toes in the subject. "
— Neil, 1/20/2011" Not as assured as the Underground Economist, but good nonetheless. "
— David, 12/27/2010" Good read I like the Game Theory sections a lot. "
— Phil, 12/11/2010" Had a few very good parts. A pretty good book about how we make decisions. Best part is when he writes that we make both emotional decisions based on a dopamine rush, and more rational decisions. Great. What I want to know is this: when to rely on which??? <br/> "
— Sheldon, 9/18/2010" Not the best in the genre, but if you like books thy distill current trends in economics in lay language, you'll like The Logic of Life. "
— Mark, 7/12/2010Tim Harford is the author of The Undercover Economist, The Logic of Life, and Adapt. He writes two columns for the Financial Times, and his work has appeared in the New York Times, Forbes, Esquire, Parade, New York, and Wired. He lives with his family in Oxford.
John Lee is the winner of numerous Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He has twice won acclaim as AudioFile’s Best Voice in Fiction & Classics. He also narrates video games, does voice-over work, and writes plays. He is an accomplished stage actor and has written and coproduced the feature films Breathing Hard and Forfeit. He played Alydon in the 1963–64 Doctor Who serial The Daleks.