So with Christmas coming up soon, I am thinking about getting some hard copies of books. Audiobooks are nice, but not very good for retaining information (in my case anyway). So, what books should I get? I’m looking for starter books here, no Human Action just yet. I was thinking about For A New Liberty and Economics In One Lesson. Any other suggestions?
Principles of Economics - Menger
Economics for Real People - Callahan
I personally see no problem with Man, Economy, and State for the beginner either.
You ought to still read Part I of Human Action as well.
For A New Liberty was the first serious audiobook / libertarian material I digested, & while I no longer worship the ground Rothbard walks on, still remember it being a good overall introduction.
You will be lucky to skip the tax figures citing in the printed book in the relevant chapter, as it was the only boring part of the entire book (in retrospect, important, but it’s a bore to listen to maths while walking around).
Also, If you’re looking for a starter book for other people that are not necessarily libertarian minded, this was the one that made me start to question (might be a good present this christmas or a conversation starter for thanksgiving); maybe you’ll be able to nudge them towards heavier & more libertarian material from there.
Flatout
Introduction to Economic Reasoning by David Gordon. I am reading it right now and it clarifies the very basis for everything we discuss here. I’m a historian so I’m not so wonderful on economic theory per say. However, after reading the first chapter alone I am truly starting to grasp it.
I recommend Thomas Taylor’s intro book
its easy to read, relatively short/concise and even outlines the calculation argument. I think Salerno uses it to teach his economics courses; i remember I saw it on a list that he had written.
Both of those are good.
I’d agree with holding off on digging into Human Action. There is now a study guide for it, so you might want to get that as well. Same for Man, Economy & State.
I think holding off on delving into Menger & Bohm-Balwerk would also be a good idea.
Some of Rothbard & Mises shorter stuff would be good. Rothbard’s Case for 100% Gold Dollar/What has Goverment done with our Money is good. Some of Mises essay collections are good, such as Planning for Freedom and Economic Policy. Some of Rothbard’s essay collections are also good.
Others: DiLorenzo’s How Capitalism Saved America, Murphy’s PIG guide to Capitalism & PIG guide to Great Depression & new Deal; Nock’s Our Enemy the State; Bastiat’s The Law (or if you can afford it, just get the HB collection of all his stuff).
the books by Bettina Bien Greaves (she was Mises’ long-time secretary) look interesting.
Hope this helps.
Alright, so far I have the following books down:
- Introduction to Economics Reasoning
- Economics in One Lesson
- For a New Liberty
- The Creature from Jekyll Island
Any other suggestions that would benefit me?