Freakonomics - Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner (5 of 5 Misinformed Parents)

Freakonomics is definitely one of the most intriguing books I've read in the last few months.  The subtitle to the book is quite accurate: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything.  This book explores topics ranging from cheating teachers to the Ku Klux Klan to the accounting practices of crack cocaine dealers to parenting practices.

I've never taken an economics class, but almost everyone I've ever talked to that has says it was the worst class of their college experience.  I wonder what they would have said if Steve and Stephen had taught the class.  In the first chapter they lay out the basics of economics.  All action is motivated by incentives.  Sometimes incentives inspire the behavior you desire.  Far too often the incentives backfire.  For example, the government institutes standardized testing to document which schools are failing.  It hopes this will produce reforms and better public education.  What it gets instead is large numbers of teachers changing test answers to avoid getting fired.

If you were one of those people that hated your economics class, I'd highly recommend that you take a look at Freakonomics.  It's sure to purge all those bitter feelings you've been harboring.