Episode · EconTalk · 2025-10-20
Books mentioned on Twenty Years of Freakonomics (with Stephen Dubner)
Quantitative, contrarian, and nuanced: these are the hallmarks of the Freakonomics approach. Hear journalist and podcaster Stephen Dubner speak with EconTalk's Russ Roberts about the 20th anniversary of the popular-economics book Dubner co-authored with Steven Levitt.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The economics of discrimination
The economics of discrimination by Gary Stanley Becker is a foundational work analyzing the economic dimensions of prejudice and societal discrimination.
Discussed“and and I'm going to pay you and and Stephen a a compliment that I I think you'll both appreciate, which is that reading this book reminded me a little bit of reading The Economics of Discrimination by Gary Becker.”
Where to get it
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Grit
Grit by Angela Duckworth is a popular psychology book that explores the profound significance of passion and perseverance in achieving long-term goals.
Discussed“The other big thing I learned, this was something big I learned from a psychologist from Angela Duckworth who wrote the book Grit and I did a podcast with Angela for a few years.”
Where to get it
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The League of Nations Experience
The League of Nations Experience by Aurora Almada e Santos and Yvette Santos is an academic text examining international organization history and multilateral diplomacy.
Recommended“And by the way, I recommend a book. I think I've mentioned it a long long time ago called I think it's called The League, which is about the economics of the NFL. It's a phenomenal book.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“He is the author with economist Steven Levit of Frecon economics, a rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything, which is now coming out with a 20th anniversary edition”
“My guest today has been Stephen Dubner. His book with Steve Levit is free for economics. Stephen, thanks for being part of Econ Talk.”