FREAKONOMICS -- Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

FREAKONOMICS: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
William Morrow -- hc
New York -- 2005 -- 242pp
ISBN: 0-06-073132-X

The simple, logical answers to economics may not always be correct. Levitt and Dubner explore some complex issues behind some mighty big questions.

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I'd heard quite a bit about this book and was looking forward to giving it a read. I wasn't necessarily disappointed, but I wasn't tremendously impressed, either.

What Levitt and Dubner have done seems all too obvious to me. That some of these issues haven't been researched in the way that Levitt has dug into them, is what seems more astonishing. To me, this is a 'common sense' book. Nothing seems 'far out there' but rather it seems logical.

I can, however, see where this line of thinking is ground-breaking. If Levitt weren't so 'decorated' with degrees and laurels, his ideas would be summarily dismissed by the academic world, and this book would never have seen the light of day. Fortunately this book is out there and popular, and common sense can regain its place.

An interesting, recommended book.

THE LAST YANKEE & BROKEN GLASS -- Arthur Miller

THE LAST YANKEE
With a new essay
About Theatre language
and
BROKEN GLASS
The Fireside Theatre -- hc
New York -- 1994 -- 180pp
ISBN: 1-56865-104-X

Two short plays with doctors and pschosomatic illnesses and an essay.

THE LAST YANKEE (2m, 3f)
BROKEN GLASS (3m, 3f, cellist)

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Two interesting plays that I was not particularly familiar with. The Last Yankee is a play which explores the illness of depression and how often we ignore this, particularly men if the woman is depressed. There is, of course, more going on here, but ultimately the men in the play don't seem to understand or appreciate their wives' conditions.

Similarly, Broken Glass is more of a mystery, following a woman who suddenly collapses and no longer has the use of her legs, despite the fact that doctors can find no physical reason for the affliction. A clue to the mystery is her obsession with photos of humiliated Jews in Germany (the play takes place circa 1939).

Both plays are quite well written and, being shorter (long one-acts), don't become the soporific, nearly didactic plays that I have sometimes felt Miller's play become.

It's too bad that both don't have more life, but I suspect that being one-acts, there is less desire for them.

The essay was interesting at the time of reading, but otherwise forgettable.