Book Review: The Logic of Life by Tim Harford and The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

As you might know, I’m trying to read a book each month this year. I’m a bit ahead of myself now, having added another two books to the read pile. Here's a brief look at what I’ve read (or listened to on audiobook).

The Logic of Life - Tim Harford

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The Logic of Life is a similar read to Freakonomics, in that it looks at the hidden incentives that human beings respond to, and then looks at social and cultural changes that are usually outside the realm of economists. It begins with the idea that people are rational, though Harford does place some bounds on their rationality - namely, that people make rational decisions about the things which they face on a regular basis. This is a heavier restriction than a lot of economic models place on people. Anyhow, Hartford then goes on to talk about the economics of sex, marriage, poker, racism, office life, crime, politics and Neanderthal and early Homo Sapien civilisations. He makes some good arguments, that are backed up by some pretty cleverly designed experiments, and - while I'm still not thoroughly convinced that humans are entirely rational - it has unified one thing in my mind. That is, that even though people on the whole might make rational decisions, the outcome of those decisions does not necessarily create the best outcome for society. My prior thinking equated rationality and the optimal societal outcome, which in turn led me to think that people cannot be all that rational. Nevertheless, the book is food for thought, and if nothing else is entertaining and well-written.

The Dragon Reborn - Robert Jordan

Image credit: Amazon

The fourth book in the Wheel of Time saga. This has been my favourite book in the series so far. The story focuses a lot on the supporting characters, and manages to plait together three separate storylines into one by the end of the book. A good read.