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Myth vs. reality
If a mythical Tyler asked you that question "What have you been reading lately that you learned from?" what would be your answer?
Here is more, the distinction is between "reading edifying works, rather than works that challenged me and taught," the key is the latter, so answer the question!
Posted by Tyler Cowen on November 7, 2007 at 06:19 PM in Books | Permalink
Comments
Bayesian Core by Marin & Robert
http://www.springer.com/west/home?SGWID=4-102-22-173676531-0&changeHeader=true&SHORTCUT=www.springer.com/978-0-387-38979-0
Posted by: angus at Nov 7, 2007 6:51:48 PM
David Harley's 1989 essay, "Deconstructing the Map"
Posted by: Geoff Edwards at Nov 7, 2007 7:34:04 PM
I've been re-reading Posner's Economic Analysis of Law -- a brilliant work with tonnes of insight.
Posted by: EclectEcon at Nov 7, 2007 8:16:57 PM
Moby Dick. Among other things, I know a lot more about whales and 19th-century whaling.
Posted by: Tyrone Slothrop at Nov 7, 2007 9:47:35 PM
1. Joel Kotkin- TRIBES, has compositional fallacy problems but still rooted in Weberian style of sociological economics
2. Don Lavoie- CULTURE & ENTERPRISE, though i don't see economists doing ethnographic fieldwork
3. Brennan & Pettit- THE ECONOMY OF ESTEEM, just started but seems to come from an interesting economist-philosopher pair up
Projected next? Jon Elster's ULYSSES UNBOUND, its a hit-or-miss and it should be 'Odyssus'
Posted by: r. m. daza at Nov 7, 2007 10:13:40 PM
Hmm... I think that John Roemer would be the person who plays, for me, a role very similar to that played by Hirschman, Schelling, and Elster for Boettke. Everything that I've ever read by him is pure gold, and I read it with joy even though the topics aren't things I think of as real interests of mine (although after his essays, they frequently *become* interests).
Also, Gerschenkron. I feel like if I made a list of the most important single thing that I learned each month about economic development and "big picture" trends in history, and stretched it out over the past five years, that list would be a perfect outline of the first few chapters of "Economic Backwardness."
Posted by: dfgs at Nov 7, 2007 11:05:50 PM
The Use of Knowledge in Society by Hayek, an absolute classic. I read "Indian Summer" which you had recommended a few months ago and I thoroughly enjoyed it as well.
Posted by: Michael burt at Nov 7, 2007 11:11:11 PM
It's funny, because that also sounds like a question Tyler would ask...Tyler Durden.
Posted by: durden at Nov 7, 2007 11:29:20 PM
The Pentagon's New Map. Interesting take on globalization on the "war on terror." It was written by a Harvard alum and provides among other things a fascinating look at how policy is shaped inside the Pentagon.
http://www.amazon.com/Pentagons-New-Map-Twenty-first-Century/dp/B000BPG24M/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-7881489-3619921?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194497307&sr=1-1
Posted by: Stephen at Nov 7, 2007 11:50:53 PM
Overcoming Bias
Posted by: josh at Nov 8, 2007 6:21:54 AM
The Book of Judges. Learning more about morality and the nature of God.
Posted by: JH at Nov 8, 2007 9:29:32 AM
Beyond Rationality: The Search for Wisdom in a Troubled Time by Kenneth Hammond
Making Things Work: Solving Complex Problems in a Complex World by Yaneem Bar Yam
The Art of Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence by Josh Waitzkin (of Searching for Bobby Fischer)
Posted by: Bob at Nov 8, 2007 9:32:40 AM
"Venus And Mars On A Date" (is that the exact title? Can't quite remember). The hypothetical verbal exchanges in this book bear an almost eerie resemblance to conversations I've had with my delightful girlfriend. Seriously, guys: read it.
Oh, and Dornbusch's overshooting model. Surprisingly enjoyable, and has given me a hypothesis that I can apply to any counterintuitive situation.
Posted by: Rich at Nov 8, 2007 10:53:46 AM
The No Asshole Rule by Robert I. Sutton. Learning the true costs of assholes, how to survive them, how not to become one, improving interpersonal perceptions and organizational rapport, and some valuable uses of assholes and controlled tantrums.
Posted by: Rimfax at Nov 8, 2007 11:28:16 AM
1491 by Charles C. Mann
amazing book about pre-colombian american society, environment and culture
Posted by: ellen at Nov 8, 2007 12:46:22 PM
Theodore Dalrymple's Our Culture: What's Left of It
Posted by: luckystar41 at Nov 8, 2007 4:40:32 PM
The Social Misconstruction of Reality, Hamilton
and
Electric Universe, Bodanis
Posted by: The other Eric at Nov 8, 2007 6:53:05 PM
I have been reading the Kalevala lately. It is a great Finnish epic poem that is dear to my heart. It has helped me learn that in a person's quest for love and life there will be tragedies and potholes. However, we can still move on and grow as humans/people despite all of the sorrow and tragedy that might ensue.
Posted by: Robert 1205 at Nov 13, 2007 10:43:05 AM
Posted by: 鑽石 at Apr 2, 2008 11:13:27 PM
Posted by: Alii at Apr 3, 2008 9:48:12 PM
