Another thing I enjoyed was the frequent use of highly descriptive terminology, which strikingly illustrated the concepts which were being discussed. One example that vividly remains in my mind under the discussion of price controls and price -gouging was the image of price increases during catastrophes performing the "vital task of economic triage."
Another was the image of the "invisible fist" of the plaintiff's bar supplementing Adam's Smith's invisible hand of the marketplace. Other examples are Americans' "addiction to insurance" (surely much more dangerous than any addiction to oil) and the current "censorship by intimidation" so rife on college campuses today (to which Larry Summers certainly can testify).
Finally, this book also contains a lot of very helpful advice. Stossel's chapter about child-raising myths, written from his perspective as a parent, is very worthwhile reading. I wish that he had written a book with these helpful insights when I was trying to figure out how to raise my two daughters. I found the description of how kids become "mother-deaf" fascinating. And everyone should find his investigation into attaining happiness and his discussion of the power and nature of forgiveness worthwhile.
Of course, the fact that this book discusses a very diverse group of topics undoubtedly means that many readers will find some chapters very stimulating, some of little interest, and perhaps a few controversial. Furthermore, the book is basically a collection of a great many ideas organized around a few unifying themes. I found it satisfying to read one chapter at a time, rather than attempt to proceed too rapidly through the various topics. Since it does not have to be read sequentially, this is also the type of book with which you can either randomly jump from myth to myth, or simply go where your interests take you.
Article comments
1 - Lumpy
Great review. Stossel is a beacon of hope in the bland darkness of the soulless media whorehouse.
2 - sr
Well said Lumpy.