i wanna get my dad one book that will be a great introduction to austrian economics. more specifically i want to find a book that debunks our hisotorical trial of "laissez-faire" during the gilded age, as well as explaining capital theory and how hoover and roosevelt handled the great depression. i guess i want something that combines economics in one lesson and americas great depression, with an explanation of the "free-market" policies of late 19th century. i know its a mouthful, but i just want to enlighten somebody who believes that free markets had their chance and failed... with as cheap a christmas gift as possible
You want "The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History" by Thomas E. Woods Jr.,
or the famous "Economics in one Lesson" by Henry Hazlitt
or "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Capitalism" by Robert Murphy.
From what you have mentioned above, I would reccomend them in that order. Good luck ;)
...And nobody has ever taught you how to live out on the street, But now you're gonna have to get used to it...
Economics for real people by Gene Callahan is a great introduction to Austrian Economics but I don't think it goes into any depth about the great recession or the history of laissez faire.
the p.i.g. guide to capitalism is a good one. i just finished it the other day, actually. simple and concise. almost simple enough to read while drinking, if that's what you're into.
Economics for Real People is definitely a winner in my book.
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Scott Jefferies: i wanna get my dad one book that will be a great introduction to austrian economics. more specifically i want to find a book that debunks our hisotorical trial of "laissez-faire" during the gilded age, as well as explaining capital theory and how hoover and roosevelt handled the great depression. i guess i want something that combines economics in one lesson and americas great depression, with an explanation of the "free-market" policies of late 19th century. i know its a mouthful, but i just want to enlighten somebody who believes that free markets had their chance and failed... with as cheap a christmas gift as possible
For an introduction I would recommend Henry Hazlitt's Economics in One Lesson. However, you also mentioned that you wanted to get into the history of economics in America in which case I'd recommend the book I'm currently in the midst of reading by Murray Rothbard: A History of Money and Banking in the United States. Although Rothbard is obviously focused on monetary policy and our banking system throughout history it gives a great insight to just how little economic freedom there was even before the Fed. He also has a section that discusses Hoover, Roosevelt, and the Great Depression in there as well (I am going to read that book by him after this one). Good luck!
In liberty,
Chris
I started reading Inclined to Liberty, and it seems like a good book.