In the summer of 2003The New York Times Magazinesent Stephen J. Dubner an author and journalist to write a profile of Steven D. Levitt a heralded young economist at the University of Chicago. Levitt was not remotely interested in the things that interest most economists. Instead he studied the riddles of everyday life-from cheating to crime to child-rearing-and his conclusions turned the conventional wisdom on its head.

Levitt and Dubner then collaborated onFreakonomics a book that gives full play to Levitts most compelling ideas. Through forceful storytelling and sharp insight it reminds us all that economics is at its root the study of incentives-how people get what they want or need especially when other people want or need the same thing. Among the questions it answers: Which is more dangerous a gun or a swimming pool? If drug dealers make so much money why do they still live with their mothers? What makes a perfect parent? And of course: What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? (Answer: they both cheat.)

Now this cultural blockbuster comes to trade paperback with exclusive extras- including a new preface five Freakonomics columns fromThe New York Times Magazine an exclusive author Q & A and a sneak preview ofSuperfreakonomics.