Hmmm. As an econ major and kind of a numbers geek, this one has been on my list for quite a while. But I was kind of disappointed or bored - can't quite put my finger on it - but just kind of gave up half way through it.

The authors make some interesting insights and I might have finished it if I had more time, but it just wasn't as mind shattering as I thought it might be. Also found some of his stuff, such as comparing the KKK to real estate agents, as sensational as some of the media stats of which he is so critical.

Not bad, but expected better.

After hearing much hype I have to say that I was disappointed with this book. The cover touts 'a rogue economists explores the hidden side of everything' and quotes 'prepare to be dazzled'. Well...

The book does not explore 'everything' - and in fact only explores a few data sets that in my mind were quite boring. The authors extrapolate meanings from the data sets that are supposed to wow or surprise you - as in, 'You may have thought this... but really this is what the data suggests.'

I guess if you were the type of person that believed all the stats and numbers people throw at you each day, you may say, ohhh I see - neat.

Myself, I believe most conclusions from stats and numbers we come across each day are used to manipulate and are meant to sway you one way or another. Therefore being critical of what I am 'told' is commonplace in my life. If you don't think about where data comes from, how it is collected, and what bias is presented with their statement - then indeed you may find this book somehow enlightening.

I thought it was weak, slow and boring.