What's the Best Libertarian book?

[dbakerman76]

We, libertarians, tend to be a bookish lot. So my question to all of you is, What is the best Libertarian book of all time? And what about that book makes it so great?

 

[gnomon]

I don't know about the best book of all time. I consider myself similar to the libertarians on most political views but I have never read Rand, Friedman or any of the other authors of primary sources of libertarian thought.

I just wanted to say that I have read "Lost Rights" by James Bovard and that book is what started me towards investigating certain goverment acts which steered me towards a libertarian view.

So the best one I've read is "Lost Rights".

 

[GloriaPatri]

The Libertarian Manifesto by Murray Rothbard.

It really is the best libertarian book ever written.

 

[Pardus]

I would like to find anyone who is willing to go into detail about the affects of libertarianism on the lowest levels of society, or the lower class if you like.

Something that isn't fanciful sugar coated garbage.

 

[eudaimonia]

This may be a controversial answer, but I think it is Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged. This book has brought more people to a libertarian (if not necessarily Rothbardian) point of view than any other, IMO.

What makes it great is the depth of the philosophy presented in the story, and the way in which the ideas are dramatized in the actions of the characters and the course of events.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Scarlet_R]

I'm writing it right now. It's going to be called Viva La Revolution about a fictional island nation that's full of oil, the pseudo-fascist/socialist dictatorship supported by the West to keep the oil flowing, and the libertarian movement to overthrow the dictator.

 

[Mr.Advocate]

"How I found freedom in an unfree world", by Harry Browne.

Harry is not above gorilla capitalism. I have no idea why he wasn't voted in as president.

 

[Zardoz]

If you're a Sci-Fi fan...

Any and all books by L. Neil Smith

L. Neil Smith - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

L. Neil Smith's Webley Page

Yes, I'm a Jewish Libertarian :thud:

 

[unreadphilosophy]

If you want a good libertarian book, I highly, highly suggest you read Ron Paul's Revolution: A Manifesto. That book will open your eyes to some pretty shocking truths.

 

[Yoshieslunchbox]

The Politics of Disobedience by Etiene de Boetie

You can get an online copy for free since it's public domain now. Black Rose Books published a copy with a really good introduction by Rothbard that usually can be found in secondhand book stores.

The Constitution of No Authority or ANYTHING by Lysander Spooner.

Anybody who hasn't read something by Spooner is missing out on a really interesting part of American history.

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein.

It's a fiction book, but that's part of the appeal. Libertarians tend to deal more in philosophy or policy than fiction, and it's nice from time to time to experience libertarian ideas in art.

 

[Octavia156]

OZ: Liber LXXVII

 

[Revoltingest]

We, libertarians, tend to be a bookish lot. So my question to all of you is, What is the best Libertarian book of all time? And what about that book makes it so great?

I vote for Atlas Shrugged. It's not the greatest literature, but the ideas & characters were an eye opener for so many libertarians.

I would like to find anyone who is willing to go into detail about the affects of libertarianism on the lowest levels of society, or the lower class if you like.
Something that isn't fanciful sugar coated garbage.

The last line suggests an argument is nigh, but here are a few things I thought of:
1) Independent businesses should be easier to start. As things stand, I turn down offers of cheap work from people cuz they don't have the regulatory documentation to be considered an independent contractor. The Michigan aggressively goes after clients & customers to treat them as employer & employee to increase the state's take.
2) Political speech should be less regulated. People ought to be able to band together without having to meet inscrutable & risky regulations.
Keep Out: How State Campaign Finance Laws Erect Barriers to Entry for Political Entrepreneurs | The Institute for Justice
3) States should not be able to condemn & take property for just any old reason which benefits them.
Quite often, the gov't goes after lower class neighborhoods by declaring them "blighted".
Kelo v. City of New London - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Crystallas]

Just to add to the current list.

These should be required reading IMO.
Free to Choose - Milton Friedman
The Road to Serfdom - FA Hayek

 

[Amy30]

This may be a controversial answer, but I think it is Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged. This book has brought more people to a libertarian (if not necessarily Rothbardian) point of view than any other, IMO.

What makes it great is the depth of the philosophy presented in the story, and the way in which the ideas are dramatized in the actions of the characters and the course of events.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Agreed, yes, 100%! A MUST read. And when you finish read Any Rand's bio.