Freakonomics

I just recently read the newly published and bestselling book Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything.  The book provides a leisurely look into the often mundate and sometimes bizarre nature of incentives, specifically, "how people get what they want or need, especially when other people want or need the same thing."

Economics is a powerful and interesting subject, but is often presented in PhD-speak, intimidating the average person.  This is unfortunate since a solid understanding of how incentive drive behavior is important in business, public policy, and even when trying to get your kids to do their chores.  If you want a quick, entertaining glimpse into the world of economics, pick it up and give it a read.