This is such a classic. I’m in the middle of it, and can’t put it down. Here’s this little gem:
We may summarize the Marxian doctrine in this way: In the beginning there are the “material productive forces,” i.e., the technological equipment of human productive efforts, the tools and machines. No question concerning their origin is permitted; they are, that is all; we must assume that they are dropped from heaven. These material productive forces compel men to enter into define production relations which are independent of their wills. These production relations farther on determine society’s juridical and political superstructure as well as all religious, artistic, and philosophical ideas. -pp. 112, Theory and History
Has there ever been any philosophic/economic doctrine which has been so thoroughly refuted? I mean Mises covers every single angle. He proves that communism is impossible, entirely explodes its central premise, and then refutes its philosophical underpinnings. It’s breathtaking.