The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford

The Undercover Economist is a book by Tim Harford. It presents economics as an explanation of who gets what and why, rather than a set of statistics such as GDP (gross domestic product).

Synopsis

Described as an acclaimed and riveting blend of exposé and user’s manual, this book aims to demystify how money works in the world. It explores everyday questions such as why a cup of coffee costs so much, and considers why efficiency is not necessarily the answer when thinking about a fair society.

The description also highlights wider applications, including improving health care and addressing crosstown traffic, with the “dirty little secrets” of dollars and cents set out in an accessible, entertaining style.