What Rothbard material would you suggest reading and in what order?

[Reason]

(Please only respond to this thread if you've read some Rothbard)

What Rothbard material would you suggest reading and in what order?

(Prefer audiobook format)

[heavenlyboy34]

I would start with the Rothbard archive at LRC. Just start at the top or bottom and work your way through it. http://www.lewrockwell.com/rothbard/rothbard-lib.html As far as the books, I'll let someone else help with that. I'm undecided.

[newbitech]

(Please only respond to this thread if you've read some Rothbard)

What Rothbard material would you suggest reading and in what order?

(Prefer audiobook format)

I started here, then followed the references at the bottom of the article.


http://www.lewrockwell.com/rothbard/rothbard134.html

[TheBlackPeterSchiff]

Not sure what order, but at some point read "Wall Street, Banks, and American Foriegn Policy" ...an eye opener for me and very well done essay by Rothbard. Pretty much lays it all out there. Pretty short too.

[Debbie Downer]

I suggest not infecting your mind with that screed.

[Reason]

I suggest not infecting your mind with that screed.

You're going to have to do better than that.

[compromise]

http://www.paul.senate.gov/?p=students
Rand recommends Conceived in Liberty.

[noneedtoaggress]

That really depends on what you're trying to get out of it. Without knowing that just throwing these out there:

Anatomy of the State - Short Essay about the State as an organization.

For a New Liberty - Libertarian primer, explains libertarian principles and compares them to current problems, and gives historic context about those problems.

Ethics of Liberty - Libertarian ethics & principles.

Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature - Lots of great essays on lots of interesting topics. If you want some short things to read that you can pick up and not really have to spend days or weeks on to complete, this is a good book full of stuff.

What Has Govt Done To Our Money? & Case for 100% Gold Dollar - Laymen's book covering money & how govt interferes with it.

Conceived in Liberty - History of the American Revolution & birth of the US.

Man Economy & State w/ Power & Market - Rothbard's economic treatise, it was originally intended to be a more accessible version of Human Action, but he ended up taking it further than that and developing it into his own economic treatise.

Those are the ones I have experience with. Haven't read the ones about the Great Depression and the Banking industry, but heard they were great too. I'm still getting through the 4 volume Concieved in Liberty right now. Those last two will require some serious effort to get through because they are massive tomes of information.

[erowe1]

What's the impetus behind the question?

[erowe1]

That really depends on what you're trying to get out of it.

This.

[heavenlyboy34]

I suggest not infecting your mind with that screed.
don't listen to this nonsense^^ Even Ron Paul approves of Murray's writings. :)

[compromise]

don't listen to this nonsense^^ Even Rand Paul approves of Murray's writings. :)

Fix'd

[Debbie Downer]

Fix'd

I retract my statement, then. If Rand approves then it must be good.

[noneedtoaggress]

don't listen to this nonsense^^ Even Ron Paul approves of Murray's writings. :)

Beyond that, reading something... simply reading someone's perspective doesn't "infect your mind". I've read things I've largely disagreed with, but even then I've gotten something valuable from it, both in terms of understanding why people might hold that perspective and what criticisms they might have for opposing ones.

Acquiring information is never a bad thing and can only help give you a broader view. Read everything you can manage and form your own opinions. Anyone telling you not to read something is simply trying to control your thoughts. If they were seriously trying to help you and critical of the things you were reading about they'd give you an opposing viewpoint and tell you to read that afterwards and make your own decisions.

[TheBlackPeterSchiff]

Beyond that, reading something... simply reading someone's perspective doesn't "infect your mind". I've read things I've largely disagreed with, but even then I've gotten something valuable from it, both in terms of understanding why people might hold that perspective and what criticisms they might have for opposing ones.

Acquiring information is never a bad thing and can only help give you a broader view. Read everything you can manage and form your own opinions. Anyone telling you not to read something is simply trying to control your thoughts. If they were seriously trying to help you and critical of the things you were reading about they'd give you an opposing viewpoint and tell you to read that afterwards and make your own decisions.

Exactly. In fact, I'd go as far to say seek to read from people you find you dont agree with. You'd be shocked and what you learn and it also helps when debating or having discussions on those subjects.

[heavenlyboy34]

Beyond that, reading something... simply reading someone's perspective doesn't "infect your mind". I've read things I've largely disagreed with, but even then I've gotten something valuable from it, both in terms of understanding why people might hold that perspective and what criticisms they might have for opposing ones.

Acquiring information is never a bad thing and can only help give you a broader view. Read everything you can manage and form your own opinions. Anyone telling you not to read something is simply trying to control your thoughts. If they were seriously trying to help you and critical of the things you were reading about they'd give you an opposing viewpoint and tell you to read that afterwards and make your own decisions.
Excellent point. :) Murray did that too. It's somewhat hard for me to find well-written opposing viewpoints on the interwebz. :/ I find them once in a while, though. :)
I recently had an interesting forum debate on another forum with a European socialist WRT capitalism in general that I quite enjoyed. :toady:

[Occam's Banana]

I can't speak to what "order" in which they should be read, but NNTA's list is solid.

Anatomy of the State should be read & understood by absolutely everyone - regardless of what "isms" to which they may subscribe.

Man, Economy & State (economics) and Conceived in Liberty (history) are quite voluminous. As such, you might want to wait until you have some of his smaller works under your belt before tackling them (unless you have a particular interest in their topics).

I haven't read Conceived in Liberty yet ... but am looking forward to doing so at some point. (Stupid days! Only 24 hours in 'em ...)

[noneedtoaggress]

Anatomy of the State should be read & understood by absolutely everyone - regardless of what "isms" to which they may subscribe.

Yeah I agree, that's why I put it at the top. It's super short and it cuts right through the fog when it comes to analyzing and demystifying what the state is and how it functions.

It's the first thing I remember reading by Rothbard, and a great introduction to his writing.

[green73]

Not sure what order, but at some point read "Wall Street, Banks, and American Foriegn Policy" ...an eye opener for me and very well done essay by Rothbard. Pretty much lays it all out there. Pretty short too.


This and another essay, Anatomy of the State. People often refer to these as life changers.

[Henry Rogue]

I have to admit, I only read one Rothbard book so far. "A History of Money and Banking In the United States". A little bit of work to get through it, but I sure learned a lot about banking.

[Sola_Fide]

I am listening to For A New Liberty on audiobook right now. It's got some great insights and some other things I don't agree with.

[heavenlyboy34]

I can't speak to what "order" in which they should be read, but NNTA's list is solid.

Anatomy of the State should be read & understood by absolutely everyone - regardless of what "isms" to which they may subscribe.

Man, Economy & State (economics) and Conceived in Liberty (history) are quite voluminous. As such, you might want to wait until you have some of his smaller works under your belt before tackling them (unless you have a particular interest in their topics).

I haven't read Conceived in Liberty yet ... but am looking forward to doing so at some point. (Stupid days! Only 24 hours in 'em ...)
Now I have the urge to read it again. :D :cool:

[heavenlyboy34]

This is chapter 1, part 1 of "Man, Economy, and State", narrated by Jeff Riggenbach for those interested-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H96OPCJI3o
The rest are also on youtube.

[VoluntaryAmerican]

My buddy really reccommends The Ethics of Liberty. Haven't read it yet... but as someone previously said Anatomy of the State is a very good short essay that is a must read for everyone anywhere.

[Sola_Fide]

This is chapter 1, part 1 of "Man, Economy, and State", narrated by Jeff Riggenbach for those interested-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H96OPCJI3o
The rest are also on youtube.

I read that a long time ago. It was a huge book...like 900 pages if I remember correctly.

[gwax23]

Ive just started to read rothbard. I have The case against the Fed and what has the government done to our money. I will finish most of his work then move on to mises. Wish me luck!

[Danan]

This is chapter 1, part 1 of "Man, Economy, and State", narrated by Jeff Riggenbach for those interested-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H96OPCJI3o
The rest are also on youtube.

Rothbard's own talks are also quite enjoyable, since he is such an insightful and at the same time funny guy. I really enjoy this series, I haven't heard them all yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0CVX6wHoxQ

You probably know more about economic history than most PhD economists (and possibly even more about general history than many historians...) after listening to it. Especially the second video about the roots of communism was really insightful, I wasn't aware of any of it.

I generally like to listen to speeches and lectures more than picking up a book.... damn internet generation! ;(
Although I really have to make a required reading list for myself and work myself through it.

This one about Keynes is awesome too, btw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g4za490YnI


"To sum up Keynes: Arrogant, sadistic, power-obsessed bully, deliberate and systemic liar, intellectually irresponsible, an opponent of principle, in favor of short-term hedonism and nihilistic opponent of bourgeois morality and all those areas, a hater of thrift and savings, someone who wanted to liquidate the creditor class, imperialist and anti-semite and a fascist. Outside of that I guess he was a great guy!"

[heavenlyboy34]

Rothbard's own talks are also quite enjoyable, since he is such an insightful and at the same time funny guy. I really enjoy this series, I haven't heard them all yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0CVX6wHoxQ

You probably know more about economic history than most PhD economists (and possibly even more about general history than many historians...) after listening to it. Especially the second video about the roots of communism was really insightful, I wasn't aware of any of it.

I generally like to listen to speeches and lectures more than picking up a book.... damn internet generation! ;(
Although I really have to make a required reading list for myself and work myself through it.

This one about Keynes is awesome too, btw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g4za490YnI
Yeah, his lectures are great! Mixes humor in with a very accessible, engaging :D presentation style.

[Warlord]

Case Against the Fed is good stuff and Warlord made sure all members of the Kabul bank scam read it beforehand so we learned all the ins and outs about fractional reserve banking and how to rip off an entire country. It worked!

It was also free.

[gwax23]

Just to warn anyone buying rothbard books off amazon...

I recently ordered The Case Against the Fed, What has Governemnt done to our money?, and The Mystery of Banking. They are the worst editions you can possibly imagine, Spelling errors galore, random string of numbers and symbols in the middle of the text, no numbered pages, missing pictures/graphs etc etc. Also the covers of the books look like something someone put together hastily in MS Paint. Really disappointing.

If your going to order Rothbard books go to the Ludwig Von Mises Institute. A little more expensive but worth it. Ironically though if you want to order books by Mises himself I actually recommend Amazon as the quality of the books are very good and very affordable.

Just my 2 cents. Hope this helps.