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Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

Andrew Cain — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:14:06 GMT

There is an acceptable reading list of history in the history section of the forums. If a topic peeks your curosity in that realm, then I can surely help you with some works.

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

SkepticalMetal — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:18:42 GMT

I'm going to need an 80s-style montage to do this.

But seriously, thanks for the info.

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

abskebabs — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:06:10 GMT

MES is definitely a valuable read, especially the chapters on Production theory constituting the heart of the book. I find Rothbard a little bit pedantic on Value theory and methodology, though most of the first 200 pages I think may be a little boring for anyone who's read Human Action in depth first.

On the other hand, as an alternative you could try the following plan (in order):

Priciniples of Economics (Menger)
The Value and Price Book in Volume 2 of Capital and Interest (Bohm Bawerk)
Human Action
Man, Economy and State
Hayek's Prices and Production and the rest of Bohm Bawerk's Capital and Interest.
Onwards and upwards from there.

Menger might seem an idiosyncratic choice, but I think it is one of the best introductions to the sine qua non economic reasoning. If you don't read all the footnotes it is a very quick read (many of them are not really relevant since they largely concern redundant academic controversies criticisms contemporary at the time). It is one of the most logically written books I've ever read, even inspite of the long sentences.

At the same time you should make yourself educated in mainstream economics. I have a dislike of most undergraduate textbooks, as I think Neoclassical economics is essentially a mathematical subject and should largely be approached in at least a somewhat mathematical way even at the beginning. I would use Jehle and Reny's Advanced Microeconomic Theory if I were you. If you're not at an adequate level in mathematics though, you may not want to try it. I would advise that you learn some however, instead of trying to "wing it" with subpar undergrad textbooks.

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

Jack Roberts — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:43:47 GMT

I was reading Mises - Ultimate foundation of economic science.

But then I started reading a book on the battery called Henry Schlesinger - How Portable Power Sparked a Technological Revolution. On top of that I have to study computer related topics so I find it difficult to make time for economics. I tend to more likely listen to a mises lecture than a carry on with my economic readings.

But I would recommend Henry Hazlitt’s - Economics in one lesson and I like Rothbard - The Ethics of Liberty.

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

Aristippus — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 06:36:35 GMT

If you want to go crazy you could probably read Mengers Principles of Economics, but that would probably be a bit eccentric

That was actually the second AE book I ever read (I'm pretty sure I read Economics in One Lesson before that).

But for the OP:

Gordon, Introduction to Economic Reasoning

Murphy, Lessons for the Young Economist

Focus on those two before going into MES and HA.

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

vive la insurrection — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 06:29:23 GMT

HA is certainly the "orthodox" starting ground, at least the first few hundred pages. It has a study guide as well.

For a couple different starting points maybe Theory and History, or Individualism and the Economic Order? I'm half tempted to say Theory and History is a possible better start point.

I would also say (even though it isn't really AE) Capitalism Socialism and Democracy is a great classic read.

If you want to go crazy you could probably read Mengers Principles of Economics, but that would probably be a bit eccentric

For "simple" start points:

Economics in 1 Lesson.

I know neodoxy hates it, but a lot of people like Economics for Real People

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

SkepticalMetal — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 05:53:15 GMT

Oh and Silva, thank you very much for the information.

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

SkepticalMetal — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 05:29:21 GMT

@ Kelvin Silva

Okay, I guess this is my queue.

The progressive 13-year-old boy is in the car with his Dad going to the auto shop. Dad persuades boy to learn about the Republican candidates. When the boy gets home, he starts to Google random things about the candidates, hearing nothing but rhetoric about "999," and the like. Suddenly, a video with an old guy named Dr. Paul catches his eye. He clicks on it, listens to what he says. Finds out he's anti-war. Learns a bunch more stuff about him. Learns that the good 'ol USA is not the kick-ass nation that everyone is brought up to think it is. Becomes a small-government libertarian. Picks up The Revolution: A Manifesto. Reads it. Takes Paul's advice and goes on the Mises.org website, and starts to read the literature on there. Starts to follow YouTubers like Adam Kokesh and Peter Schiff. Becomes a member of the Mises forums. Becomes an anarcho-capitalist, now 14.

Oh and this boy is an agnostic, by the way. And I'm not going to be an arrogant ass by saying that I'm sexy.

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

Kelvin Silva — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 05:24:59 GMT

Skeptical,

post a forum thread asking for them to send you an email. They will send you an email and you will have to make a wordpress account and become a contributor.

Then you will need to post your draft to the editorial section, (ant if you want) post it here for editing/feedback.

Then you may post on voluntaryist reader.

Dont forget to put a nice picture of your article.

The tale of the Sexy Libertarian

The boy is very bored. DUring summer school he visits the computer to watch random youtube video. Kid is a christian, and finds a website called carm.org. He gets interested in things such as philosophy, the meaning of life, etc, etc. The kid is very interested in the failures of the public education system, and buys the book called: < i forgot the title>. Kid watches various videos on youtube, <the RSA video, etc>, and documentaries on public education. One day on youtube, he stumbles on ron paul video. Watches more ron paul videos. The kid becomes a minarchist. Though a very ignorant one. Kid buys 2 books. 1 is a book containing a few works from Thomas Aquinas, and the other is Anatomy of the State, as the kid is also interested in the state. Kid reads the book, and gets interested. From then on, kid has not found mises institute yet, and nothing much happened. Kid has various conversations with another friend that is politically interested though not really a minarchist (hes more of a status quo person). He then thinks of a girl that is a socialist at his school, and wants to one day fight her in a debate. He remembers that Ludwig von mises logo on anatomy of the state, and goes on the mises forum at which then he posted this: http://mises.org/Community/forums/t/28953.aspx

that was his first step into turning into an anarchist.

He reads the various books listed in that thread. Meltdown, etc, etc. He eventually reads For a New Liberty and becomes more educated in his studies.

He reads the holy trinity: Econ in 1 lesson, For a new liberty, Lessons for the young economist, and various other books.

He buys man economy and the state, and legalizing capitalism by kel kelly. He is currently reading these 2 books.

The sexy, attractive, and strong man, is now 15 years of age.

His tales are still continuing...

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

SkepticalMetal — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 05:19:09 GMT

I see, thank you. And I did start to read the .pdf version of For a New Liberty, but I'm not sure what happened, I guess I just put it down and never really continued. But I'll start back up again soon.

And also, I just wrote an article on something I came up with called Austrian school film theory. I was hoping to get it on The Voluntaryist Reader, but I have absolutely no clue on how to do that.

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

Neodoxy — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 05:14:35 GMT

While the choice is, of course, yours, I would advise against reading MES before Human Action unless you don't intend to read any other economic books for the foreseeable future. You're at the pretty easy stuff now but it'll get more complicated once you hit chapter 4 or 5.

Also, as for the original question of the thread: Read For a New Liberty. It's a great book and a great application of political and economic theory.

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

SkepticalMetal — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 05:08:57 GMT

How the heck would we do that?

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

Kelvin Silva — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 05:08:11 GMT

MES is all you need bro.

I just started it too, chapter 2.

I havent been reading itmuch thats why with the slow progression.

Buy it, and when you get it we can study together.

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

SkepticalMetal — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 03:12:43 GMT

My therapist already perscribed me seven bottles of FDA-approved Ritalin to combat my "extreme ADHD" as they call it, so everything's k.

But you still haven't e-mailed a response back to my short story.

Re: Best Books in the Mises Library for People like me

Neodoxy — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 03:10:01 GMT

"What in god's name does that mean?"

A young man who believes in an orthodoxy

"Man, you really hate that book, don't you?"

It's a bad book and it made me think I undestood a lot more economics than I actually did.

"I vomited blood and shat myself with diarrhea at this line. Okay, at this point, the diarrhea is explosive. Where the duce is my bleach bottle?"

I'd go visit the doctor's office if I were you