The Economic Naturalist: In Search of Explanations for Everyday Enigmas
by Robert Frank
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 207)
Read in October, 2007
The Economic Naturalist by Cornell professor Robert H. Frank has an admirable goal: To take economics beyond boring textbooks filled with abstract graphs and equations, and bring it into focus for the everyday world in which we live. He aims to show the world in such a way that will inspire the reader to develop an economic way of thinking. Through a series of one to two page explanations ranging from "Why is milk sold in rectangular containers, while soft drinks are sold in round ones?&quo...more
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Read in January, 2008
I like the idea of this book--that almost every question can be answered by rationally examining the factors that go into production, human nature, economics, etc. I even like the process. I do not, for the most part, agree with the author's answers, especially since it doesn't seem like he did any research.
IE "Why do women spends thousands of dollars on a wedding dress that they will wear once, while men spend $100 or so to rent a Tuxedo that they will need a number of times." His...more
IE "Why do women spends thousands of dollars on a wedding dress that they will wear once, while men spend $100 or so to rent a Tuxedo that they will need a number of times." His...more
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Read in August, 2007
This would be great supplemental reading for anyone taking an intro micro course in college (if I teach someday, it'll definitely be on the syllabus). But as something to pick up and read for fun, it's not the greatest popular econ book to come along. I really like Robert Frank and I have no problem with him capitalizing on the recent interest in economics, but this book would work better as one of those 365 day calendars. Each chapter has a dozen or so 500-800 word answers to questions like ...more
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Read in June, 2008
Interesting book that teaches certain basic economics concepts through dozens of 2 page case studies (with zero graphs and equations). Very readable, very reasonable length; the author mercifully didn't try to stretch a 200 page book to 350 pages.
I was of two minds about this book. Sometimes I found it stimulating and insightful. At other times I was annoyed by the author's self-confidence, essentially taking any reasonable explanation based on economic principles as truth, without evidence....more
I was of two minds about this book. Sometimes I found it stimulating and insightful. At other times I was annoyed by the author's self-confidence, essentially taking any reasonable explanation based on economic principles as truth, without evidence....more
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
students taking Intro to Economics
Interesting in that it gives practical examples of (mostly micro) economic principles. The examples are short pieces that his students have turned in over the years for his class assignment "the economic naturalist," in which they provide a 500-word solution to an economics problem they've discovered in their life experience (such as why airline tickets are more expensive if you buy them at the last minute, but theater tickets are less expensive). Overall, the book is interesting but n...more
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Read in August, 2007
I received this book off BookMooch and because of it's relatively small hard cover size, I brought it with me. I loved the premise of the book in that economics should be accessible to the common audience, but I didn't care for some of the author's examples.
They were well written in a single voice and themed around a common idea, but some of the questions just weren't that interesting. Slightly snobby on my part, I suppose. I thought some of the best questions were captured on the back of t...more
They were well written in a single voice and themed around a common idea, but some of the questions just weren't that interesting. Slightly snobby on my part, I suppose. I thought some of the best questions were captured on the back of t...more
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Read in November, 2007
I found this book facinating. It answers a lot of economic questions, but also general ones that any curious person may have. For instance: Why do drive up ATMs have braille buttons? Why do luxury hotels charge for internet access but budget hotels provide access for free? Why are shirt buttons on different sides for men and women (an especially pressing question I've always wanted to know the answer to)? This book isn't for everyone. Most of the questions are economical in nature and the ...more
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Read in January, 2008
Thought the book might be similar to Freakonomics-- it is, but it's more rooted in econ principles. Cost-Benefit analysis, cash on the table, and the dreaded opportunity cost, which apparently something like 75% of those who took economics still don't understand. (Apparently I'm one of them as well.) Book's mostly examples of why certain economics principles work in the real world and it's semi-coherent, though not easily digested. Most of the stories make you go, "Oooooh!" though.
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Read in January, 2008
Thoughtful review of basic economic principles using everyday things that we never think about. Whay does milk come in square cartons, but soda in round ones ? Why is what is good for the individual often good for society, but not always ? Those types of questions were analyzed using economic principles and historical context. It was very thought provoking. The most interesting case was why professional baseball managers wear uniforms like their team, but NFL, NBA, and NHL coaches and manage...more
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Read in December, 2007
I think I saw a review of this somewhere, ran across it at the library and had to check it out. I didn't read it 100% start to finish, but just the highlights and the specific entries that interested me. Which were actually quite a few. Puts things in perspective, how many decisions are most likely made every day from an economic perspective. I agree with his point that these are not the only or right answers to these questions, but I do think they are a big factor, and they sure make sense t...more
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Read in September, 2007
Ever wonder why drive up ATMs have braille? Why are DVD and CD cases different sizes even though the disc they contain are the same size? Why does the labor to pave a driveway in Minneapolis cost more than Dallas?
This book answers those questions that seem to have no immediate answer in a quick and concise way. Sometimes, the answer is a little too short (usually a page, maybe two), it makes a good read on the train or for quick little bouts of information.
This book answers those questions that seem to have no immediate answer in a quick and concise way. Sometimes, the answer is a little too short (usually a page, maybe two), it makes a good read on the train or for quick little bouts of information.
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Read in December, 2007
I found the book interesting, although I feel that in some (perhaps many) cases that he brings up in the book, there isn't a clear-cut single reason why, say, keypads at the drive-up ATMs at the bank feature Braille, but probably a few different reasons, one of which likely including the reason his students have proposed in their papers.
Still, it was an interesting way of looking at things, and seeing a new point-of-view from a strictly economic standpoint.
Still, it was an interesting way of looking at things, and seeing a new point-of-view from a strictly economic standpoint.
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
newcomers to economics
it puts economic concepts forth in a really clear, interesting, and (most-importantly) applied way. There are points where it seemed repetitive to me (but I've taught from his textbook like 20000 times and graded these papers when I TAed for him, so maybe I'm biased). Also, in rare cases, I felt like answers were weak, although I do think that still adds to the interactive nature of the book, prompting the reader to be like, "wait a second...really?"
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Read in January, 2008
You'll definitely feel smarter and the world will seem clearer after having read this book. I've read Robert Frank before and unfortunately he repeats a good number of the same examples and ideas but it's still fun to review. I'd recommend this book for someone who hasn't read any of the recent crop of popular economics books as it's a good outline of how economists should be thinking about the everyday world.
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Read in February, 2008
Frank pretty much is on a quest to make economics interesting and practical, and succeeds wildly with this book of questions & answers. common conundrums are posed, and then a basic economic principle (cash on the table, cost efficiency, etc.) is used to get to the answer. definitely makes one a better observer of the world, and is a fun whirl through economics that recognizes the human element.
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Read in January, 2008
This is a neat little summary of real-life economic questions. Why do rental car companies not charge cancellation fees when airlines and hotels do?
If you think economics is boring, this is a book that can break that notion. It explores the economic reasons why things are the way they are. A very quick read, and easy to stop and start. Most questions are answered in about a page or so.
If you think economics is boring, this is a book that can break that notion. It explores the economic reasons why things are the way they are. A very quick read, and easy to stop and start. Most questions are answered in about a page or so.
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Read in April, 2008
This book was a fairly easy read, and I came away with a better understanding of basic economic principles then I had after two semesters of economics. I read the book in a couple of days and by the end I was ready for it to be over. The question and answer format gets tiring after a while so I would suggest that it be read a few questions at a time.
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I read this one on a business trip; it was quick, yet thorough. The concept is simple: look at an everyday scenario and then find the basic economic reason why that thing likely exists (ex. why convenience stores have locks even though they are open 24 hours -- reason, it is cheaper to that style of door with locks than without)
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Read in January, 2008
this was ok for flipping through at work during slow times, but there is no way i could have read it cover to cover. the question and answer format got old really quickly and i started to discover that i really don't care all that much about the economic answers to life's little mysteries. go figure.
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Read in June, 2008
Bought it at an airport bookstore because I had accidently packed the book I was reading. Was intrigued by the endorsement by Pinker but unfortunately the book didn't live up to hype on the blurb. Had some fun and interesting insights but was largely an exercise in stating the obvious.
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