The Undercover Economist

Tim Harford

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"The Undercover Economist" by Tim Harford is an engaging and illuminating exploration of the hidden forces behind everyday economic events. With a clear and accessible writing style, Harford takes readers on a journey to uncover the economic principles shaping our world.

From the price of a cup of coffee to the impact of globalization, Harford reveals the economic theories at play. He skillfully explains complicated concepts using real-life examples, making the subject matter relatable and understandable for readers of all backgrounds.

Through various captivating case studies, Harford reveals the mechanisms behind everything from supermarket pricing strategies to the economic impact of illegal drug trade. He skillfully demonstrates how individual choices and actions contribute to larger economic phenomena.

One of the book's core themes is the concept of incentives, which Harford argues are the driving force behind human behavior. Exploring the power of incentives in areas such as crime, poverty, and environmental sustainability, he offers thought-provoking insights into the intricate relationship between economics and society.

Harford also delves into the economic principles behind big global issues like climate change and governmental policies. His analysis sheds light on why traditional approaches may not always yield the desired results, and offers innovative solutions for tackling these complex problems.

"The Undercover Economist" serves as a captivating introduction to the world of economics, empowering readers to view their surroundings through an economic lens. Harford's ability to combine comprehensive economic theories with real-world examples makes this book an indispensable guide for anyone interested in understanding the forces that shape our economy and society.

Explore More Books

See All
Failure Is Not An Option
On Writing Well
Essays and Aphorisms
Lone Survivor
Free Women, Free Men
The Evolving Self
Not The End of the World
Eating The Big Fish
The Elephant in the Brain
Energy Transitions
Mohandas K. Ghandi
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind
The Idea Factory
XKCD
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Explaining Social Behavior
The Precariat
Lagom
Getting Real
Peak
The Most Important Thing Illuminated
The Plant Paradox
Tender Is The Night
Orwell's Revenge
Harry Potter
Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance?
Sexual Personae
A Spy Among Friends
Valuation
Gang Leader for a Day
A Technique for Producing Ideas
The Magic Of Reality
Brave New Medicine
The Airbnb Story
Golden Gates
Not Zero
My Family and Other Animals
Sleep in Art
The Holy Grail of Investing
Perilous Interventions
The Messy Middle
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The Lean Startup
Cosmos
The Charisma Myth
Becoming
The Gray Lady Winked
Class Warfare
The Battle of Alcazar
The Artist's Way
The Storm of Steel
Peter Pan
Generations
The Golden Compass
Kill It With Fire
The Martian
The Diversity Myth
Musashi
Warren Buffett
Adapt
How Not To Be Wrong
Platform Revolution
There Must Be A Pony In Here Somewhere
What You Do Is Who You Are
Powers of Two
Deep Value
Presidents of War
Three Scientists and Their Gods
Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar
Catch-22
Becoming Steve Jobs
Replay
Making The Modern World
The Story of Civilization: Rousseau and Revolution
The Wager
Slow Sex
Lying
Timelines of World History
Essays In Persuasion
Home Work
Believe In People
A Short History of Myth
Should We Eat Meat?
Learned Optimism
The Paris Architect
Way of the Warrior Kid
The Making of an American Thinking Class
The Time Machine
Lenin
The Rise of the Rest
Americana
Maybe You Should Talk To Someone
Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air
Idea Makers
When Prophecy Fails
The Ethics of Money Production
Why America Is Not a New Rome
A Sense of Where You Are
The Sixth Extinction
The Middleman