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
A History of Western Technology
Taxes Have Consequences
The Box
The Healing Journey
The Oxford History of Britain
The River of Doubt
Road to Wigan Pier
The Opium of the Intellectuals
Fewer
Academically Adrift
Raising Girls
Sourdough Culture
The Immateriality of the Material
My Forty Years with Ford
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Visual Explanations
The Uterus Is a Feature, Not a Bug
More Than You Know
Prisoners of Geography
Netflixed
The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind
The Big Score
Trading Bases
Living With A SEAL
Trauma
Walden
Primed to Perform
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Flu
Getting to Maybe
Reminiscences of a Stock Operator
The Poems of Dylan Thomas
The Farming Ladder
Harvesting the Biosphere
Red Notice
Confessions of a Philosopher
The 80/20 Principle
Leapfrog
How To Turn Down A Billion Dollars
The Plot Against the President
Check Your Financial Privilege
Knowledge and Decisions
Hagakure
City of the Century
An Apology for the Builder
Army Of None
Solution Selling
Andrew Carnegie
Essentialism
The Iliad
The Great Crash of 1929
Exit Interview
The Seventh Sense
First a Dream
The Fatal Conceit
The Way of Kings
True Enough
The Creative Curve
Rework
Alexander Hamilton
Portfolios of the Poor
The City In History
The House of Rothschild
Seeing Like a State
Paradigms Of A.I. Programming
Alpha Girls
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Voltaire
Well
Liberty Under Seige
I Seem To Be A Verb
The Hand
Race Matters
Empires of Light
Ask The Dust
The Eden Project
The Things They Carried
The Myth of the Rational Voter
Moby Dick
On Writing
The Great Challenge
Daring Greatly
The German Generals Talk
I Will Teach You To Be Rich
Hansel and Gretel
Expert Political Judgement
Bossypants
The Sleepwalkers
Lean In
Fooled By Randomness
New Power
Whole Earth Discipline
Ham on Rye
Brave New Words
Hoover Dam
Out of Many, One
Travels with Charley
Cold Calling Techniques
Hamlet
The Black Jacobins
The Choice