The Why Axis: Hidden Motives and the Undiscovered Economics of Everyday Life
“Gneezy and List... specialize in ingenious 'field experiments' that elucidate the workings of social psychology and decision making...Writing in the Freakonomics vein of breezy pop-econ... The authors’ lucid, engaging exposition of thought-provoking research spotlights some of our more perverse promptings—and their underlying logic."—Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review“Fun, Freakonomics-style stories about why people do the things they do….Gneezy and List offer illuminating discussions on many topics, from the differences between animus-based and economic discrimination to how women can grow up to be more competitive and close the gender gap in the labor market.”—Kirkus Reviews“[T]rue trailblazers in one of the greatest innovations in economics of the last fifty years.”—Steven D. Levitt, coauthor ofFreakonomics“Uri Gneezy is a pioneer whose work tears down the wall between the lab and the field.”—Alvin E. Roth, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences“It is hard to imagine any story of innovation in our thinking about economics that does not involve Uri and John. Both in their independent work and in their joint projects, they have expanded and looked at the sensitive underbelly of economics. I can’t think of a book that I’m looking forward to more than this one.”—Prof. Dan Ariely, Professor of Behavioral Economics, Duke University; author,Predictably IrrationalandThe Upside of Irrationality“John List and Uri Gneezy are among the foremost behavioral economists in the world. Their ideas have been groundbreaking, and their research has been widely read and hugely influential. I'll be eager to read any book they produce.” —Prof. Daniel Gilbert, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University and Author ofStumbling on Happiness“John List’s work in field experiments is revolutionary.”—Prof. Gary Becker, University of Chicago, Nobel Laureate in Economics“John List and Uri Gneezy have done the pioneering economic work on whether gender differences are innate or the result of social pressures.  They are two of America's leading young economists and their work is followed with great interest.”—Prof. Tyler Cowen, George Mason University; author,The Economic Sceneand blogger, Marginal Revolution.com“John List and Uri Gneezy are leaders in the area of experimental and behavioral economics and rising stars of the profession. Their work bridges the gap between the lab and the field and enables us to learn how economic agents make real decisions in controlled environments and as the economic stakes change. A book bringing their distinctive perspectives and styles has the potential of being a real home run.”—Prof. Daron  Acemoglu, Professor of Economics, M.I.T, coauthor ofWhy Nations Fail“Gneezy and List are two of the most brilliant and interesting economists in the world.  Their work is simultaneously scientifically path breaking and accessible to the general public.  They've studied prosaic markets like baseball card conventions, daycare centers, and auto-repair shops, but their ideas are so deep that Gneezy and List reveal that these mundane markets turn out to hold the secrets of human motivation and human behavior. Their work has revolutionized all of social science. I can't wait to read a book that they write.”—Prof. David Laibson, Professor of Economics, Harvard University“Since it will probably change the way we both think about and take action on big and little problems, [The Why Axis] should be required reading for those in business, philanthropy, politics, healthcare, and education—as well as for anyone interested in understanding the complex reasons why we do what we do. It's a worthy companion toFreakonomicsandSuperFreakonomicsas well as books and articles by Gary Becker, who was awarded the 1992 Nobel Prize in economic sciences”—Huntington News“John List and Uri Gneezy have done pioneering work in economics on big, complex problems such as discrimination, whether gender differences are innate or the result of social pressures, and how to close the gap between inner-city students and those who live in wealthy areas. Anyone interested in finding solutions to these and other major problems will find their book a rich resource.”—Tyler Cowen, professor of economics, George Mason University, and blogger, MarginalRevolution.com