I am reading The Social Atom by Mark Buchanon. Basically the book debunks the myth that humans make decisions rationally and criticizes conventional economists and market forecasters. The author examines the social and psychological aspects of humans, particularly the behavior of humans when they are grouped. Buchanon studies why otherwise normal humans engage in warfare, hatred of ethnic groups, herding behavior, etc. Fascinating stuff.
I’m reading American Desperado: My Life by Jon Roberts and Evan Wright.
“Never before have 10,000 pages passed so delightfully.”
When you read something that extensive and in depth, do you take notes? If not, do you find that you retain what you read, or do you just enjoy the experience of reading and know that some of it will stick but some won’t? I would like to take on a project like that but it sounds daunting to me!
If I’m reading on my Nook, I’ll make bookmarks, hightlights, and notes from time to time.
For me it’s not just about retention, but familiarity with the book. Later when I want to make a connection in something I’m writing to something I’ve read, I’ll know how to find the fact or insight, even if I don’t remember everything about it off the top of my head.
That makes sense. I’m not actively reading it, but I started Conceived in Liberty a few months back and I have had the same experience of being familiar with the book. It’s good to know that you don’t need a photographic memory to benefit from a sweeping, epic history like that.
I’m reading articles from history journals by Soviet specialists on victims of Soviet famines and repression that I found here: http://sovietinfo.tripod.com/
I recommend especially the input of Ellman and Wheatcroft.
The Capitalist and the Entrepreneur by Peter G. Klein
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
The Transformation of War and Rise and Decline of the State by Martin van Creveld.
The Myth of the Rational Voter by Bryan Caplan
Neoconservatism: An Obituary for an Idea by C. Bradley Thompson
Just got a library copy of Human Action (3rd edition)! So, it begins…
The Economics and Ethics of Private Property
Man, Economy and State
Human Action
I recently read and uploaded notest to Lachmann’s The Market as an Economic Process. Since it’s my intention to peddle the book as an important contribution here is the review: Lachmann’s Kaleidoscopic Market.
Francis Bacon’s Essays Counsel Civiil and Moral (plus The Wisdom of the Ancients)
Quadrivium
and States and Illegal Things (Anthropology)
Kant: Critique of Pure Reason
Mises: Human Action
Marx: Capital, Vol. 3
Also dabbling in John Dewey’s Human Nature and Conduct, which is very interesting.
A book on computer networks. It’s only got a paragraph on SSL/TLS /facepalm
I’m currently reading Keynes Hayek and Ron Paul’s rEVOLution.
Capital and its Structure - Ludwig Lachmann
Free Market Labor Struggle - Kevin Carson
Ordering:
Epistemics and Economics - GLS Shackel
Capital Expectations and the Market Process - Ludwig Lachmann
Endgame: Part II, Resistance - Derrick Jensen
Homage to Catalonia - George Orwell