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The Undercover Economist: Exposing Why the Rich Are Rich, the Poor Are Poor--and Why You Can Never Buy a Decent Used Car! Audiobook, by Tim Harford Play Audiobook Sample

The Undercover Economist: Exposing Why the Rich Are Rich, the Poor Are Poor--and Why You Can Never Buy a Decent Used Car! Audiobook

The Undercover Economist: Exposing Why the Rich Are Rich, the Poor Are Poor--and Why You Can Never Buy a Decent Used Car! Audiobook, by Tim Harford Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Robert Ian Mackenzie Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781436100953

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

19

Longest Chapter Length:

59:17 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:06 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

32:03 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

8

Other Audiobooks Written by Tim Harford: > View All...

Publisher Description

Author of the extremely popular "Dear Economist" column in Financial Times, Tim Harford reveals the economics behind everyday phenomena in this highly entertaining and informative book. Can a book about economics be fun to read? It can when Harford takes the reins, using his trademark wit to explain why it costs an arm and a leg to buy a cappuccino and why it's nearly impossible to purchase a decent used car. Supermarkets, coffee houses, airlines, insurance companies and more are sucking money from our wallets. To protect ourselves and our bank accounts, we must better understand why companies do what they do. Hailed by Publishers Weekly as "unequaled in its accessibility," The Undercover Economist is a sheer delight-and the one book on economics that every American should read.". a book on economics that will enthrall its readers. Beautifully written and argued, it brings the power of economics to life. This book should be required reading ."-Steven D. Levitt, author of Freakonomics

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"This is a very fun book that will give you the best explanation of what are stocks and what do they mean. Great fun to read and very significant.I strongly recommend it to anyone who is remotely interested in financial issues.Fast and easy read. "

— Carlos (4 out of 5 stars)

The Undercover Economist Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.71875 out of 53.71875 out of 53.71875 out of 53.71875 out of 53.71875 out of 5 (3.72)
5 Stars: 4
4 Stars: 20
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 3
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " a nice logically written book for people with little economics background "

    — Mohamed, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very easy reading, and the issues he brought up were also interesting. "

    — Golda, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Reviewing this entertaining (yes, entertaining) introduction to the economist's view of the world. I've read plenty of econ intro books for laypeople, and I think this one is the best. "

    — Chris, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Assigned reading for my study abroad program in college. I read this after taking Econ 101 for a semester two years prior - got a lot more out of this book than the class I took (probably because it was at 8:30...) "

    — Kate, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I kind of wish I could force everyone in America to read this book - it explains so many economic concepts that seem to entirely elude people, if the modern level of discourse on these issues is any indication. "

    — Jessica, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a very entretaining book for those interested in business and general economics subjects. At times funny and almost silly. Good end of summer-get-updated kind of book. "

    — Mark, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An excellent, intriguing, insightful and stimulating introduction to fundamentals of economics, and its impact in everyday life. Deals with basic pricing, externalities, international trade, globalization, market failures, game theory, and more. "

    — Ashishg, 1/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very enjoyable book on the most practical aspects of "the dismal science". The final point is that truly free markets are good, tariffs and trade barriers are bad, and protectionism never helps. "

    — Nate, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Well written book that makes you look at common issues with a different perspective. Some of the chapters including starbucks coffee prices, 3g spectrum prices are fascinating. But I am not so sure about the outcome of 3G auction and its social impact in the long run. "

    — Sriram, 12/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A little dry at times, but great book. "

    — Ken, 12/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " couldn't quite get thru it.... "

    — Amy, 12/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If you liked Freakonomics, more along those lines... "

    — Monica, 8/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Rather reminiscint of Freakonomics, but enjoyable anyway. "

    — PastAllReason, 10/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I am learning about how much coffee shops can charge for a latte if they have a good location outside a train station and all sorts of other things I knid of knew but didn't really know why... I can feel it is doing my economically stunted brain some good and I am enjoying it more than I thought. "

    — Rhylla, 7/31/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The goal of this book was to simplify economic principles. Unfortunately, while simplified, it was incredibly boring. "

    — Serri, 3/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This explaination of economics of everyday life is thorough easy read whose author at times has a decent sense of humor. The author is impressively comprehensive in his explanations, i often found myself delighted to have a question answers a few sentences after I thought of it. "

    — M, 11/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book explains everyday economic principles in an easy style. "

    — Kathleen, 11/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a book that got me started to think about economics in everyday terms. I understood that economics are viable part of my life and it is good to have some working knowledge of it. The book brought to life for me the theories from the big books. "

    — Georgi, 10/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Clair et ludique en plus d'être très instructif ! "

    — Charles, 5/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An entertaining overview of about every popular topic in economics. I would like to see many of his ideas put into action. "

    — David, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The author is using the day to day language to interpret some of the basic principle of economics. the chapter about game theory is very interesting for me. "

    — Simon, 5/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " a good book particularly on how an economist look at everyday life from the economic point of view. It also contains practical tips such as how to choose better price in the supermarket shelves, for example. "

    — Niasutedja, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A little dry at times, but great book. "

    — Ken, 4/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Provides tremendous insight into economics by a down to earth study of coffee shops, and other everyday businesses. I would highly recommend this book. "

    — Jenny, 4/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Parte molto bene, e si pone come una piacevole lettura per comprendere meglio gli aspetti principali dell'economia. Peccato che poi si perda, promette ma non mantiene. <br/>Molto meglio un buon libro di Microeconomia... "

    — Francesco, 4/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " an astonishing book. it can be red y anyone, you dont have to have an economic background to understand it. "

    — Mohammed, 4/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I learn a lot of economy in this small book. "

    — Dgg32, 3/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting, but I found it quite repetitive. I also wonder how much things have changed in the past 5 years and whether if the book was written now it would take a different path. "

    — Emma, 3/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fun stories to illustrate everyday as well as uncommon economic realities. You've got questions, or maybe you would like to review? This is an entertaining read that quickly refreshes memory and makes the complex more easily understandable. Definitely recommend! "

    — MsSmartiePants, 3/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Breaking down economics to delightfully understandable prose... How does coffee go from a bunch of beans to the cup in your hand? Why does the coffee cost so much? What does supply and demand have to do with any of that? Economics made simple. "

    — Eric, 3/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very interesting to read, but a lot to digest in one sitting. I found this much easier to read when I read it a chapter or two at a time, in between other books.<br/>Plenty of real-life examples make it quite enthralling to read. "

    — Dee, 2/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Recommended! This is not a sensationalist economics book like Freakonomics. For a someone like me who's never taken a formal economics course, it's a very good, accessible explanation of an economist's perspective on a broad set of issues. "

    — hbridge, 1/22/2011

About Tim Harford

Tim Harford is the author of The Undercover EconomistThe Logic of Life, and Adapt. He writes two columns for the Financial Times, and his work has appeared in the New York TimesForbesEsquireParadeNew York, and Wired. He lives with his family in Oxford.

About Robert Ian Mackenzie

Robert Ian Mackenzie, Earphones Award–winning narrator, became an actor after holding a wide variety of other jobs, including everything from London policeman to water ski instructor in Greece. Since then, his acting career has encompassed straight theater, musicals, opera, films, television, voice-overs, commercials, and recorded books.