and Stephen DubnerFreakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner is a groundbreaking book that looks at the world from an economic perspective and explores the hidden side of everything. This book is an exploration of the often-unseen links between economics, statistics and culture. Levitt and Dubner apply economic principles to all sorts of unconventional topics, from the culture of cheating in inner-city schools to how new parents name their children.As the authors examine seemingly unrelated events within an economic framework, readers can expect plenty of fascinating insight and unexpected connections. With each chapter, Levitt and Dubner pose questions that reject received wisdom, revealing the intrinsic logic and motivating factors behind the everyday events that shape our lives. In their exploration, the book touches on issues such as crime, parenting, discrimination, education and more.The authors draw on inventive research, carefully crafted data and their own wit to illustrate a world where incentives matter and outcomes often surprise. The authors also explore the near-impenetrable power of the marketplace and the complex interactions between individual behavior and group behavior. Freakonomics makes it clear that understanding the hidden side of every day phenomena can provide fascinating insights that don't just provide entertainment, but can inform our decision-making and shape our world.
Add missing EndorsementSteven Levitt has the most interesting mind in America... Prepare to be dazzled
Dave Child (Founder/Readable.io) I'd recommend reading anything that helps develop your ability to understand and solve a problem. Triaging issues by importance and properly identifying their causes is critical in almost every aspect of business. Without that, you can easily spend a lot of time on the wrong problem, or an ineffective solution, and your time is, more or less, your most valuable commodity. So I'd suggest books like A Certain Ambiguity by Gaurav Suri and Hartosh Singh Bal, or Freakonomics by Stephen Levitt and Stephen Dubner - books which will explore different ways of delving into problems and understanding their impact.
Fabrice Grinda (Serial Entrepreneur, Investor) I have lots of books to recommend, but they are not related to my career path. The only one that is remotely related is Peter Thiel’s Zero to One. That said here are books I would recommend.
Faisal Amin (Co-Founder/Fruitbowl Digital) I believe reading is a habit that must be inculcated irrespective of the career paths. Below mentioned are a few of my favourites that can hopefully bring wisdom to aspiring entrepreneurs. Lateral thinking by Edward de Bono 7 habits of highly effective people by Stephen R. Covey The lean startup by Eric Ries Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki Freakonomics by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt
Matthieu David-Experton (CEO & Founder/Daxue Consulting) Question: What books would you recommend to young people interested in your career path? Answer: I would recommend the following ones: The Hard Thing About Hard Things Who? How to recruit A players Les Cles du futur by Jean Staune (in French) All the books written by Peter Drucker (The Essentials of Drucker) The 4 steps to the Epiphany by Steve Blank Freakonomics The books by Jack Welsh (especially for French people as it is somewhat contrarian to their education)
Meenakshi Sharma (Founder/DateFyx) Reading 'Freakonomics' by Steven Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner, changed my perspective of the whole world. Such a well-researched piece of writing. Complete eye-opener how lots of successful people made it because they were at the right place at the right time, and not just an unidentifiable X factor. If you are looking for conversation starters ever, lots of them in this book.