The Backgammon Chronicles
Robert Wachtel
Mentioned 1 month ago
677. Can Backgammon Save Us from Ourselves?
Book Recommendations
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engin...
Episodes
912
Books
635
Recently mentioned
Latest Recommendations
In the Game until the End Volume II
Robert H Wachtel
Mentioned 1 month ago
677. Can Backgammon Save Us from Ourselves?
"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!"
Richard P. Feynman
Mentioned 1 month ago
The Vanishing Mr. Feynman (Update)
Madame Bovary
Gustave Flaubert
Mentioned 1 month ago
The Vanishing Mr. Feynman (Update)
What Do You Care What Other People Think
Richard P. Feynman
Mentioned 1 month ago
The Vanishing Mr. Feynman (Update)
The Grasshopper - Third Edition
Bernard Suits
Mentioned 2 months ago
675. Has the New York Times Become a Games Company?
Rules of Play
Katie Salen Tekinbas
Mentioned 2 months ago
675. Has the New York Times Become a Games Company?
Interaction of Color
Josef Albers
Mentioned 2 months ago
675. Has the New York Times Become a Games Company?
The Wealth of Nations (Modern Library)
Adam Smith
Mentioned 2 months ago
674. How Does a Composer Feel After the World Premiere?
Adam Smith’s America
Glory M. Liu
Mentioned 2 months ago
674. How Does a Composer Feel After the World Premiere?
Jane Eyre
Charlotte Bronte
Mentioned 2 months ago
673. What Is Money?
Hard Times
Charles Dickens
Mentioned 2 months ago
673. What Is Money?
Most Recommended
Naked Money
A Revealing Look at What It Is and Why It Matters
It was mentioned in passing as one of the author's books, and briefly used as a reference to show that bookmakers' odds aren't precise calculations of probabilities.
"
That's Charlie Whelan... and I'm the author of the Naked Books, Naked Economics, Naked Statistics and most recently Naked Money
— Episode: 249. The Longest Long Shot
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 249. The Longest Long Shot
It was mentioned in passing as one of the author's books, and briefly used as a reference to show that bookmakers' odds aren't precise calculations of probabilities.
"
That's Charlie Whelan... and I'm the author of the Naked Books, Naked Economics, Naked Statistics and most recently Naked Money
I, Pencil
My Family Tree as Told to Leonard E. Read
It was written in the voice of a pencil and detailed the complex global supply chain required for its production, used as an argument for free market capitalism.
"
My family tree begins with what in fact is a tree, a cedar of straight grain that grows in Northern California and Oregon.
— Episode: 236. How Can This Possibly Be True?
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 236. How Can This Possibly Be True?
It was written in the voice of a pencil and detailed the complex global supply chain required for its production, used as an argument for free market capitalism.
"
My family tree begins with what in fact is a tree, a cedar of straight grain that grows in Northern California and Oregon.
Simple yet not a single person on the face of this earth knows how to make me.
Nearly millions of human beings have had a hand in my creation, no one of whom even knows more than a very few of the others.
The miracle of this pencil isn't that nobody knows how to make it. The miracle of the pencil is how did it get made?
If you can become aware of the miraculousness, which I symbolize, you can help save the freedom mankind is so unhappily losing.
THE ROOTS OF EDUCATION ARE BITTER, BUT THE FRUIT IS SWEET.
A Margin but Unlined Drawing book
A quote from Aristotle, 'The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet,' was used to illustrate how young people may not always understand the long-term benefits of education, despite their need for it, and how their decision-making can be influenced by their underdeveloped brains.
"
In one of your papers you make the point that young people while needing education to do well later are kind of the worst candidates for understanding how much they need education to do well later and...
— Episode: How to Fix a Broken High Schooler, in Fo...
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: How to Fix a Broken High Schooler, in Four Easy St...
A quote from Aristotle, 'The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet,' was used to illustrate how young people may not always understand the long-term benefits of education, despite their need for it, and how their decision-making can be influenced by their underdeveloped brains.
"
In one of your papers you make the point that young people while needing education to do well later are kind of the worst candidates for understanding how much they need education to do well later and you open with a quote from Aristotle which I'd never read which I love the roots of education are bitter but the fruit is sweet.
Right my father always mentioned that quote when I was a kid to remind me that however bitter the experience of education is right now the effort from staying home on a Friday night or you know doing something that doesn't really seem that exciting or fun and requiring concentration and thinking however tedious the benefits are long-term and they're big.
Fantasy Football for Smart People
What the Experts Don't Want You to Know
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Superforecasting
The Art and Science of Prediction
Philip Tetlock's book 'Superforecasting', co-authored with Dan Gardner, was discussed as a guide to becoming a better forecaster, highlighting various flaws that lead to inaccurate predictions and providing a how-to guide (at a high level).
"
He tells the story in a new book called Superforecasting, co-authored by the journalist Dan Gardner.
— Episode: 233. How to Be Less Terrible at Predicti...
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 233. How to Be Less Terrible at Predicting the Fut...
Philip Tetlock's book 'Superforecasting', co-authored with Dan Gardner, was discussed as a guide to becoming a better forecaster, highlighting various flaws that lead to inaccurate predictions and providing a how-to guide (at a high level).
"
He tells the story in a new book called Superforecasting, co-authored by the journalist Dan Gardner.
The book is both a how-to if at a rather high level and a cautionary tale about all the flaws that lead so many people to make so many bad forecasts.
In the book, you mention a couple cases from history where the intelligence community did not do so well.
That's how he puts it in his book, Super Forecasting.
Unfinished Business
What the Dead Can Teach Us About Life
It was mentioned as a book that highlighted the 'care penalty' as a major factor contributing to gender inequality, particularly when women take on caregiving responsibilities.
"
If you take women who don't have caregiving obligations, they're almost equal with men.
— Episode: 232. The True Story of the Gender Pay Ga...
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 232. The True Story of the Gender Pay Gap
It was mentioned as a book that highlighted the 'care penalty' as a major factor contributing to gender inequality, particularly when women take on caregiving responsibilities.
"
If you take women who don't have caregiving obligations, they're almost equal with men.
The Courage to Act
A Memoir of a Crisis and Its Aftermath
It was the book in which Ben Bernanke, former Fed chairman, recounted his experiences during the 2008 financial crisis, discussing his actions and decisions in dealing with it.
"
Today on Freakonomics Radio, a conversation about the life story that Bernanke tells in his recent book, The Courage to Act.
— Episode: 229. Ben Bernanke Gives Himself a Grade
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 229. Ben Bernanke Gives Himself a Grade
It was the book in which Ben Bernanke, former Fed chairman, recounted his experiences during the 2008 financial crisis, discussing his actions and decisions in dealing with it.
"
Today on Freakonomics Radio, a conversation about the life story that Bernanke tells in his recent book, The Courage to Act.
again his book is called The Courage to Act.
New Money
Staying Rich
It was written specifically for athletes and others who suddenly acquire a lot of money, and discussed the challenges of managing newfound wealth and avoiding financial pitfalls.
"
Once I got my degree in 2013, that's when I started writing a book too.
— Episode: 223. Should Kids Pay Back Their Parents...
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 223. Should Kids Pay Back Their Parents for Raisin...
It was written specifically for athletes and others who suddenly acquire a lot of money, and discussed the challenges of managing newfound wealth and avoiding financial pitfalls.
"
Once I got my degree in 2013, that's when I started writing a book too.
The book Buchanan wrote is called New Money, Staying Rich.
See, the issue is once you make it, that's when you got to turn up a whole other notch. And you have to try to learn everything that you can learn about handling your money.
Pricing the Priceless Child
The Changing Social Value of Children
It explored the changing economic role of children over time, including the shift from children being seen as economic assets to being viewed as emotionally valuable.
"
In a 1994 book called Pricing the Priceless Child, Zelizer showed how the economic role of children has changed over time.
— Episode: 223. Should Kids Pay Back Their Parents...
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 223. Should Kids Pay Back Their Parents for Raisin...
It explored the changing economic role of children over time, including the shift from children being seen as economic assets to being viewed as emotionally valuable.
"
In a 1994 book called Pricing the Priceless Child, Zelizer showed how the economic role of children has changed over time.
Someday All This Will Be Yours
A History of Inheritance and Old Age
It examined inheritance disputes from the 19th century, highlighting the use of inheritance as a tool to ensure care for aging parents and the complexities of family financial obligations.
"
I'm the author of several books, but most recently, Someday All This Will Be Yours, a History of Inheritance and Old Age.
— Episode: 223. Should Kids Pay Back Their Parents...
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 223. Should Kids Pay Back Their Parents for Raisin...
It examined inheritance disputes from the 19th century, highlighting the use of inheritance as a tool to ensure care for aging parents and the complexities of family financial obligations.
"
I'm the author of several books, but most recently, Someday All This Will Be Yours, a History of Inheritance and Old Age.
The Idea that Is America
Keeping Faith with Our Values in a Dangerous World
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
The New World Order
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Keys to an Amazing Life
Secrets of the Cervical Spine
It was mentioned briefly as the most recent book written by a spinal and orthopedic surgeon who discussed the potential negative impacts of wearing belts too tightly.
"
Honzraj's most recent book is called Keys to an Amazing Life.
— Episode: 221. How Did the Belt Win?
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 221. How Did the Belt Win?
It was mentioned briefly as the most recent book written by a spinal and orthopedic surgeon who discussed the potential negative impacts of wearing belts too tightly.
"
Honzraj's most recent book is called Keys to an Amazing Life.
Why Did the Policeman Cross the Road?
How to solve problems before they arise
It was mentioned as a forthcoming memoir by a former London police officer, who questioned why his police training did not include any crime prevention.
"
As the former London cop Stephen Colgan writes in a forthcoming memoir called Why Did the Policeman Cross the Road?
— Episode: 220. “I Don't Know What You've Done With...
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 220. “I Don't Know What You've Done With My Husban...
It was mentioned as a forthcoming memoir by a former London police officer, who questioned why his police training did not include any crime prevention.
"
As the former London cop Stephen Colgan writes in a forthcoming memoir called Why Did the Policeman Cross the Road?
The Stranger
The Original Unabridged and Complete Edition (Albert Camus Classics)
It was described as a thriller, and the opening lines were read on the podcast. It was Harlan Coben's 27th book, and he has sold roughly 70 million books globally.
"
That's Harlan Coben reading the beginning of his latest thriller, The Stranger.
— Episode: 214. How to Create Suspense
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 214. How to Create Suspense
It was described as a thriller, and the opening lines were read on the podcast. It was Harlan Coben's 27th book, and he has sold roughly 70 million books globally.
"
That's Harlan Coben reading the beginning of his latest thriller, The Stranger.
I'm all about suspense, trying to make you turn that next page. I want you to start The Stranger at 11 o'clock at night. Think, I'll read 10 or 15 minutes and next thing you know it's four in the morning. That's the kind of book I try to write.
The Stranger is my 27th book and I'm told worldwide I'm around 70 million books in print.
The Logic of Collective Action
Public Goods and the Theory of Groups, With a New Preface and Appendix (Harvard Economic Studies Book 124)
It was published in 1965 and applied the homo economicus model to the political world, arguing that political action is a public good and thus prone to the free rider problem, hindering the effectiveness of lobbying efforts for the public interest.
"
In 1965, Economist Mancur Olson published an influential book called The Logic of Collective Action
— Episode: 207. Should We Really Behave Like Econom...
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 207. Should We Really Behave Like Economists Say W...
It was published in 1965 and applied the homo economicus model to the political world, arguing that political action is a public good and thus prone to the free rider problem, hindering the effectiveness of lobbying efforts for the public interest.
"
In 1965, Economist Mancur Olson published an influential book called The Logic of Collective Action
The Rise and Fall of Diamonds
The Shattering of a Brilliant Illusion
It was mentioned as a book written by Edward J. Epstein who has been writing about the diamond industry for decades. He performed an experiment where he tried to resell a diamond and lost a significant amount of money.
"
While I was writing my book, I tried to sell a diamond.
— Episode: 203. Diamonds Are a Marriage Counselor’s...
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 203. Diamonds Are a Marriage Counselor’s Best Frie...
It was mentioned as a book written by Edward J. Epstein who has been writing about the diamond industry for decades. He performed an experiment where he tried to resell a diamond and lost a significant amount of money.
"
While I was writing my book, I tried to sell a diamond.
I waited a week and then I went around to other diamond dealers on 47th Street and they were offering me things like three and four hundred dollars.
So I realized I was going to lose a great deal of money, which I did.
So they weren't going to pay that when someone tried to sell it. And diamond, of course, didn't gain in value. So you instantly lost 50 or 60 percent.
The Book of Proverbs
God's Book of Wisdom
It was mentioned that this ancient book contains examples of behavioral insights and that it illustrates that the quirks of human decision-making are not a new discovery.
"
Now, we should make clear that this behavioral understanding of human nature is hardly new. Shakespeare understood it. The Book of Proverbs, to name just one book of antiquity, is ful...
— Episode: 198. The Maddest Men of All
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 198. The Maddest Men of All
It was mentioned that this ancient book contains examples of behavioral insights and that it illustrates that the quirks of human decision-making are not a new discovery.
"
Now, we should make clear that this behavioral understanding of human nature is hardly new. Shakespeare understood it. The Book of Proverbs, to name just one book of antiquity, is full of it.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.