Conomics in One Lesson is a fantastic book to recommend, not only because of the breadth of topics is covers as far as the ignorance of government, but because it is well-written so as to keep one’s attention and keep one ready to keep reading.
Our Enemy, The State by Albert Jay Nock is another good one for something like this, I’d say.
Ha, I was about to mention The Revolution, as it’s the book that really presented the situation to me point blank. Great book for anyone, whether beginner or advanced.
I might reference back to beyond democracy and anatomy of the state later, thats why i want to give him econ in 1 lesson.
The revolution is meh, i wouldnt give it to him since hes already heard too many political talking pts: abortion, foreign policy, government public works, etc, etc.
I want him to have a solid foundation in economic reasoning through economics in 1 lesson.
And its a short enough book to make a great gift.
Lessons for the young economist is more like a Textbook, which i treasure very much and would like to keep it, as well as reread it and use it for reference.
I don’t recommend you keep LftYE on your shelf for too long. It’s not that amazing. Once you already know the stuff, you don’t need it. I skipped that book and now I’m reading MES. I do not, however, suggest MES to your friend at the moment.
Maybe try Stossel’s No They Can’t. I haven’t read all of it, but what I’ve read (especially on public education) looks mm-mm good.
Thats true wheylous. Its a pretty basic book, but i intend to share it with others. My friend is gonna go to college so i want to give him somehing short enough but also informative.
Hmm
maybe ill rethink giving econ in 1 lesson. he needs some rothbard in him, econ in 1 lesson i feel it doesnt have that UMPH that rothbard gives when you read…
Reading rothbard is like diving into a pool, and then everything else is like learning to swim. If anything, anatomy of the state is the reason why im such a libertarian (and my other other friend lol, though hes in jail).
maybe for a new liberty, though i intend to keep that one too…
Ill take a look at william appleman williams, but if anything i want to give him a book that i already have.
Hmm ultimately i think ill just give him econ. in 1 lesson, since hes going to college it, this book needs to cover a wide variety (which it does), so when hes in his classes he can maybe refute some claims about various issues(how can you argue against tarrifs and the like, when all youve read was Meltdown?).
I’m sorry, did you just call the contents of the best selling libertarian book of all time “political talking points”? If I didn’t know you better I’d actually inclined to just respond “fuck you.”
Not to mention, the way you describe it listing different specific topics it sounds like you’re confusing it with Liberty Defined (which is still a great book, just not the one for this particular situation. Which is why I didn’t recommend it for your friend.)
I strongly recommend you actually pick up a copy of The Revolution, read it, and then try to tell me it’s “meh.”
Were you a neocon when you read it? If you were already pretty much convinced of voluntarism, and/or had already read some books sold in the Mises Store, then yeah, I could understand. You weren’t necessarily hearing or learning anything new.
But I wasn’t recommending the book to you. The title of this thread is “good book for friend”. You described him as “more of a conservative but not fully libertarian”.
The Revolution has been cited by many as the book that pushed them over the edge…that made them cross that very line you’re talking about…that made them start to really see the light.
Again, I also would have bet money you were talking about Liberty Defined, the way you were describing it.
:EDIT (in response to your addition):
As I said, I’m almost sure of it. That’s why I think you should take a look at The Revolution again. At least go hear and just look at the contents. Perhaps that will jog your memory.
Oh, i wasnt a neocon when i read The Revolution, i was pretty much just started on being an An-Cap.
Not to mention that during 8th grade in the summer, id just spend hours and hours on youtube listening to ron paul speak. So i knew what he would be talking about. It was in 9th grade when i decided to join the mises forums and become a full An-Cap (shotly after i read Meltdown, and then a few more months i read The Revolution(which was during this year’s june/july)).
Hmm, i guess i might as well give him The Revolution instead. Im sorry if im being overly confusing but this is what I go through everytime i make a decision for a good gift lol. As far as for The Reovlution, did it turn people from being neocons to minarchists, or actually Fully Libertarian (Anarchist)? I dont think the Revolution talks about the elimination of the state; by him not being fully libertarian i mean him being more of a minarchist, but not seeing the true light darkness of the state (An-Cap), which is why i was saying that he needs some rothbard in him.
But i also have a gut feeling of giving him econ. in 1 lesson.
I could give him both you know. Or i can let him borrow one and give him the other.
Edit- Now im thinking of giving him For A New LIberty, i can make that sacrifice, (i really liked the book).
Im all over the dam place, need to make fucking decision.
/Derail
-BTW- is that youtube channel link in your signature made by you>? I remember the ideas sex video about div of labor/specalization that you suggested a few months back…
Also, just a warning, trying to get through The Communist Manifesto is hell when you’re a libertarian. It’s like Alex in A Clockwork Orange when he’s listening to Beethoven after they changed him to hate it.