Yes, the book cannot be discounted cause of the point about abortion. In fact, I find the author's argument:

a) Most folks involved in crime are likely to be those who come from the bottom rung of the ladder...b)most mothers resort to abortion as they are from the bottom rung of the ladder...ie both a) and b) are points emerging from economic considerations. if you decrease the the numbers of poverty stricken youth, you decrease the likelihood of crime.

As yet, it makes sense. However, as Levitt says (from Athar's postings), he's willing to accept that his data is based on faulty premise. And that's spoken like a true scienctist! albeit a social scientist!

Femme_du_seul:

I must commend - no, praise...no, bow in reverence! to this village's picture selection...wonderful pic femme_du_seul! Wonderful!

Its not a bad book. Not great but a good read. It makes you think about things differently and question the assumptions that form the basis of our perception of the world. I didn't agree with a lot of it, but it made me think and that's all I ask for in a non-fiction book.

this book made me wanna study economics... it's so freaking cool... the public school expos? was really interesting... and just all the data about which children are more successful in life was very cool...

the abortion thing was also interesting and i don't think the whole book should be discounted jus because this point goes aganst what certain ppl believe

Oh yeah, how could I ignore that part of abortions helping to lower crime rates?

That's a pretty weird stretch. But then it may be reality.

i thought the same. it was overhyped. but looks interesting with ur ucomments