Subtitle: The Rational Economics of an Irrational World

“The Logic of Life offers a fascinating discussion of the use of modern economic reasoning to explain humorous and serious aspects of everyday life. Harford shows, among many other things, that this logic explains why punishments deter crimes, why “johns” have to pay more to prostitutes to get unprotected sex, and why divorce rates have risen but then stabilized after the contraceptive pill was introduced, and after many married women began working. I strongly recommend this book, especially to those who want their economics to be fun as well as important.” -Gary S. Becker, 1992 Nobel Laureate in Economics

“Tim Harford is an economist but – thanks be to God – he doesn’t write like one. The Logic of Life is as lively as it is smart, charming, penetrating, and wise. If you are at all interested in knowing much more than you do about how the world works, you couldn’t ask for a better guide than Harford.” -Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of Freakonomics

“In this witty, intelligent book, Tim Harford illuminates the hidden social order behind sex, Las Vegas, divorce, your boss–in short, all the things you care about in life. Quite simply, The Logic of Life will help you see the entire world in a new light. I love this book!” -Tyler Cowen, author of Discover Your Inner Economist

“Like his 2006 book, The Undercover Economist – if you haven’t got it, get it – this book uses the basic theory of rational choice to make transparent the logic behind common but important puzzling phenomena. Even a trained economist can enjoy discovering what he already knew but didn’t realize he knew it. I did.” -Thomas C. Schelling, 2005 Nobel Laureate in Economics