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Walter Block's "Defending the Undefendable"

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Nick. B Posted: Fri, Dec 5 2008 2:49 AM

I've heard mix things about this book. Is it worth reading? I mean is it a must for an Anarcho-Capitalist? If not what book would be the definitive text on these subjects? Thanks in advance! Big Smile

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I'm reading this book now, whenever I have time from the official studies (currently working on a stats assessment). I was very surprised to find they had it in the University library at York (UK), together with a bunch of other books by Mises, Rothbard et al.

I plan to read Man, Economy and State by Rothbard (which I also took out here) over the winter holidays. And to answer your question: Defending the undefendable is more of an application of Austrian economic theory and libertarian ethics to various social scapegoats - it's great to put things in perspective and help you escape from any societal prejudice you may have been exposed to.

If you want a comprehensive book dealing with anarcho-capitalist theory from its very axioms, then MES is probably your best bet. After which you could perhaps read the Machinery of Freedom by David Friedman (what I plan to read after MES).

Once again, I'm very surprised to find all these books in my university library :D

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Nick. B replied on Fri, Dec 5 2008 5:04 AM

Fred Furash:

I'm reading this book now, whenever I have time from the official studies (currently working on a stats assessment). I was very surprised to find they had it in the University library at York (UK), together with a bunch of other books by Mises, Rothbard et al.

I plan to read Man, Economy and State by Rothbard (which I also took out here) over the winter holidays. And to answer your question: Defending the undefendable is more of an application of Austrian economic theory and libertarian ethics to various social scapegoats - it's great to put things in perspective and help you escape from any societal prejudice you may have been exposed to.

If you want a comprehensive book dealing with anarcho-capitalist theory from its very axioms, then MES is probably your best bet. After which you could perhaps read the Machinery of Freedom by David Friedman (what I plan to read after MES).

Once again, I'm very surprised to find all these books in my university library :D

 

Thanks for the input. And also finding those gems in your library may be a sign that we're beginnig to be taken seriously in the academic circles, never know. :D

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Fred Furash:
I was very surprised to find they had it in the University library at York

I'm curious to know whether any previous readers have made furious scribbles? Stick out tongue

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Nick. B:

I've heard mix things about this book. Is it worth reading? I mean is it a must for an Anarcho-Capitalist? If not what book would be the definitive text on these subjects? Thanks in advance! Big Smile

I wouldn't really say it's a must. From what I understand it builds on Rothbard's FaNL.

As I see it, it's more likely to be a fun read that a particularly informative one. Out of interest have you read Callahan's book?

"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows"

Bob Dylan

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Nick. B replied on Fri, Dec 5 2008 4:00 PM

GilesStratton:

Nick. B:

I've heard mix things about this book. Is it worth reading? I mean is it a must for an Anarcho-Capitalist? If not what book would be the definitive text on these subjects? Thanks in advance! Big Smile

I wouldn't really say it's a must. From what I understand it builds on Rothbard's FaNL.

As I see it, it's more likely to be a fun read that a particularly informative one. Out of interest have you read Callahan's book?

 

No I haven't, would it be a better investment of my time to read his work first?

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Nick. B:
No I haven't, would it be a better investment of my time to read his work first?

Yes, definately. It's a great work, it's easy to read and extremely informative.

"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows"

Bob Dylan

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Nick. B replied on Fri, Dec 5 2008 4:19 PM

GilesStratton:

Nick. B:
No I haven't, would it be a better investment of my time to read his work first?

Yes, definately. It's a great work, it's easy to read and extremely informative.

Alright then I'll check it out! Big Smile I believe you mean "Economics for Real People" am I correct?

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Nick. B:

GilesStratton:

Nick. B:
No I haven't, would it be a better investment of my time to read his work first?

Yes, definately. It's a great work, it's easy to read and extremely informative.

Alright then I'll check it out! Big Smile I believe you mean "Economics for Real People" am I correct?

Yeah, that's the one. It's free in the site as PDF if you haven't already seen.

"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows"

Bob Dylan

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Nick. B replied on Fri, Dec 5 2008 4:51 PM

GilesStratton:

Nick. B:

GilesStratton:

Nick. B:
No I haven't, would it be a better investment of my time to read his work first?

Yes, definately. It's a great work, it's easy to read and extremely informative.

Alright then I'll check it out! Big Smile I believe you mean "Economics for Real People" am I correct?

Yeah, that's the one. It's free in the site as PDF if you haven't already seen.

Excellent!

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