Episode · Freakonomics Radio · 2013-07-03
Books mentioned on 132. Jane Austen, Game Theorist
What does "Pride and Prejudice" have to do with nuclear deterrence? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company.
Stephen Dubner discussed Emma by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, and A Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen-Leigh. Michael Chwe discussed Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Emma
Emma by Jane Austen is a classic novel about a young woman engaging in matchmaking and social maneuvering in Regency England.
Discussed“A lot of people feel it's actually the best in terms of the spirit of the novel, the adaptation of Emma, which I kind of agree with. Now, remember, Emma is the one Jane Austen book that Steve Levitt could name.”
Where to get it
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Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a classic nineteenth-century romantic novel that explores the turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy amidst themes of class, reputation, and love.
Discussed“Austen's books are about many things, but really one of the major themes is the whole idea of meddling, manipulation, scheming. But Michael Che's point isn't just that Jane Austen is doing all this in her novels, Emma and Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility.”
Where to get it
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Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen is a classic novel that explores the romantic entanglements and social pressures faced by the Dashwood sisters.
Discussed“Austen's books are about many things, but really one of the major themes is the whole idea of meddling, manipulation, scheming. But Michael Che's point isn't just that Jane Austen is doing all this in her novels, Emma and Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility.”
Where to get it
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Mansfield Park
Mansfield Park is a classic Jane Austen novel that follows the quiet, moral upbringing of Fanny Price as she navigates the complex social hierarchies, etiquette, and romantic entanglements of her wealthy relatives' estate.
Discussed“Austen's books are about many things, but really one of the major themes is the whole idea of meddling, manipulation, scheming. But Michael Che's point isn't just that Jane Austen is doing all this in her novels, Emma and Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility.”
Where to get it
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A Memoir of Jane Austen
A Memoir of Jane Austen is a biographical work written by James Edward Austen-Leigh about the renowned English novelist.
Discussed“This is from a – sorry, let me just make sure I know what this is actually from. Yeah. Okay. So this is from – well, it's called a memoir. I don't know this book. A memoir of Jane Austen by – Okay. Oh, it's by one of her nephew.”
Where to get it
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Lean In
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg is a prominent corporate manifesto that examines the structural barriers women face in the workplace and encourages female leaders to pursue professional ambition assertively.
Discussed“But I think that there is this kind of, you know, shared gossipy culture. You know, like the other day I read this article about, you know, Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In book, you know, how – so Sandberg says in her book, if you ask for a raise, don't go into your boss and say, hey, I need a raise.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (3) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“Oh, man, I didn't she write a book called Emma? I wasn't so surprised that the conversation kind of stalled out.”
“So if you would, tell us the name of your most recent book then. Oh, yeah. Well, it's Jane Austen, Game Theorist. I have to say, that's one of the best book titles I've heard in a long time.”
“I read in Sheryl Sandberg's book that I should do this and Sheryl Sandberg is asking me to ask you for a raise.”