Cass R. Sunstein
Born: September 21, 1954 – Waban, Massachusetts, United States
Cass R. Sunstein is the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard and founder of its Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy. Renowned for influential works like Nudge (with Richard H. Thaler), Sunstein has shaped fields including law, behavioral economics, and public policy, earning the 2018 Holberg Prize for his scholarly and policy impact.
Biography & Author's Journey
Cass R. Sunstein, born in Massachusetts in 1954 to a builder father and teacher mother, cultivated a precocious intellect and deep curiosity from an early age. He attended Harvard College, graduating in 1975, and earned his JD from Harvard Law School in 1978 magna cum laude. Early in his career, Sunstein clerked for leading jurists, including Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, before serving as an attorney-advisor in the U.S. Department of Justice. He joined the faculty of the University of Chicago Law School in 1981, embarking on an academic path that would establish him as one of America's foremost scholars in law, behavioral economics, and public policy.
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The World According to Star Wars
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A thought-provoking exploration of Star Wars' cultural impact, connecting its themes to law, economics, and human nature.
Decisions about Decisions
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Explore the intricacies of decision-making, from everyday choices to major life decisions, with practical strategies for better outcomes.
Liars
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A thought-provoking exploration of lies in the digital age and how to protect free speech while combating harmful falsehoods.
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Community Voices
"Cass R. Sunstein is the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard and an influential scholar in behavioral economics and public policy"
— Harvard Law School
"Cass R. Sunstein is the coauthor of the bestselling book Nudge, which introduced the world to the concept of behavioral nudges in decision-making"
— Penguin Random House
"Cass R. Sunstein explores the nature of group decision making and the tendency of like-minded groups to adopt more extreme positions"
— Publishers Weekly
"Cass R. Sunstein, a University of Chicago law professor, draws on an impressive knowledge of economics, law and psychology, as well as a great deal of common sense"
— Publishers Weekly
"Cass R. Sunstein has served as Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and has advised global institutions including the UN and World Bank"
— Harvard Law School
"Cass R. Sunstein’s work on cost-benefit analysis has influenced both government and private sector policy approaches"
— Publishers Weekly
"Cass R. Sunstein received the Holberg Prize, sometimes described as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for law and the humanities"
— Harvard Law School
"Cass R. Sunstein is recognized for his wide-ranging scholarship, with hundreds of articles and dozens of books to his name"
— Harvard Law School
"Cass R. Sunstein is known for his thought-provoking analysis of democracy, law, and technology in a changing information landscape"
— Publishers Weekly
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
