Episode · Freakonomics Radio · 2025-05-09
Books mentioned on How to Succeed at Failing, Part 1: The Chain of Events (Update)
We tend to think of tragedies as a single terrible moment, rather than the result of multiple bad decisions. Can this pattern be reversed?
Stephen Dubner discussed Right Kind of Wrong by Amy Edmondson, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling, and The Violence Project by Jillian Peterson and others.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Right Kind of Wrong
Right Kind of Wrong by Amy Edmondson is a book that examines the psychology of failure and how constructive mistakes can drive learning and innovation.
Discussed“She recently published a book called Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well.”
Where to get it
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K.
Discussed“JK Rowling got rejected 12 times before she finally wrote and published Harry Potter.”
Where to get it
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The Violence Project
The Violence Project by Jillian Peterson and James Densley is a comprehensive research-based book published in 2021 that investigates the root causes of mass shootings in the United States and offers evidence-based strategies for intervention.
Discussed“Reedman has collaborated with other academic researchers including Jill Peterson and James Densley, co-founders of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center. In 2021, they published a book called The Violence Project: How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic.”
Where to get it
