The Cost of Birth, the Price of Death, and the Value of Everything in between

The Price of Everything

An ingeniously thoughtful and provocative look at how people overlook and misunderstand the role prices play in their lives.

TIM HARFORD: Porter's book is an enthralling look at the prices we put, consciously and unconsciously, on everything from a gallon of gas to a spare kidney. Everyone could learn something from this wise and clever book. I did.'

Tim Harford author of The Undercover Economist

"Everything in the world comes with a price, but what does a price mean and how is it set? This riveting narrative is the best book on these very human and very important questions. There is an interesting nugget on virtually every page."

Tyler Cowen, author of Create Your Own Economy

"A fascinating journey through what we see every day - but do not think about enough. Every page has facts and perspectives that should shift your thinking ... Just because people are willing to pay does not mean that the price is right - in any sense of the word."

"Price, an 'unacknowledged legislator' of human behavior, has found its poet in Eduardo Porter. The Price of Everything is a wise, illuminating, and necessary book."

Tom  Vanderbilt, Traffic: Why we Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us)

Eduardo Porter writes about business and economics as a member of The New York Times' editorial board. He has also worked as a journalist in Mexico City, Tokyo, London, Sao Paolo, and Los Angeles. He was editor of the Brazilian Edition of América Economía and covered the Hispanic population in the United States for The Wall Street Journal. He lives in New York.

Why is a life saved from a terrorist attack felt to be worth two saved from a natural disaster? Why are men more valuable than women? Why do Americans tip when Europeans don't? And how can orange juice be used to predict the weather? 
 
The Price of Everything starts with a simple idea: behind every decision we make lies a price, whether that's buying a cup of coffee, taking a new job, or deciding to become a parent. Prices are the invisible thread that connect and explain our society, our economy, our culture, our mistakes and our successes. Revealing connections that are ingenious and unexpected, Eduardo Porter shows just how fundamental the price of things, work, happiness, faith, family and the future are - both to our everyday behaviour and to civilisation as we know it.

Eduardo Porter

Enthralling ...Everyone could learn something from this wise and clever book. I did.

TIM HARFORD, author of RISE and THE UNDERCOVER ECONOMIST

Clever, stylish and full of surprising insights - in other words, priceless

'Full of interesting Freakonomicsy nuggets.'

Riveting... there is an interesting nugget on virtually every page

The True Cost of Living

Why is a life saved from a terrorist attack worth two saved from a natural disaster? Why are women more valuable than ever? Why do Americans tip when Europeans don't? And how can orange juice be used to predict the weather? 
 
The Price of Everything starts with a simple premise: behind every decision we make lies a price, whether we're buying a cup of coffee, taking a new job, or deciding to become a parent. Prices are the invisible thread that connect and explain our society, culture, economy, successes and failures. 
 
Revealing connections that are ingenious and unexpected, Eduardo Porter shows just how fundamental the price of things, work, happiness, faith, family and the future is - both to our everyday lives and to civilisation as we know it.

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Eduardo Porter

Praise for The Price of Everything

Enthralling ...Everyone could learn something from this wise and clever book. I did.

Entertaining and enlightening'

Clever, stylish and full of surprising insights - in other words, priceless

Enthralling ...Everyone could learn something from this wise and clever book. I did.

Entertaining and enlightening'

Clever, stylish and full of surprising insights - in other words, priceless

Enthralling ...Everyone could learn something from this wise and clever book. I did.

Entertaining and enlightening'

Clever, stylish and full of surprising insights - in other words, priceless

Books by Eduardo Porter

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