Superfreakonomics

SUPERFREAKANOMICS follows the trend made popular in the authors' first book, FREAKONOMICS, as well as the works of writers like Malcolm Gladwell: questioning conventional wisdom. Still, one has to wonder if they aren't deliberately seeking controversy by going after such sacred cows as Al Gore and whether Iran isn't ahead of us in paying people to donate organs, to say nothing of advice on how to become a better-paid prostitute. Couple that with the only thinly veiled hint of mischief that comes through in Dubner's delivery, and it seems clear he's having a fine old time tweaking our perceptions. Whether one agrees with the authors or not, Dubner's high-energy reading and obvious glee over some of the great "got-cha!" moments make for addictive listening. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine