View by Subject

I started out thinking this page would be a list of books I had read that helped me form and solidify my own world view, but I quickly realized there were a lot of other audio and video items on the list as well. So now it’s a research list rather than just a reading list. At any rate, enjoy!

Books – Hardcopy:

  • Politically Incorrect Guide to American History – As mises.org says, “The winners write the history, and the winning states especially so.” Written in a clear, easy to read style by Thomas Woods.
  • Real Lincoln – Thomas DiLorenzo really opened my eyes to the truth of the Lincoln cult. I really had no idea…
  • Road to Serfdom – This is the book that started my research into Austrian Economics. It was very challenging, but worth it. Written by the Nobel Prize winner Fredrick Hayek.

Books – PDF:

  • Adventures of Jonathan Gullible – As Walter E. Williams said, “Jonathan Gullible is a great read and makes the principles of liberty accessible, even possibly to those with alien and hostile minds.”
  • Against Intellectual Monopoly – Coming from an IP driven industry, I never questioned copyright or patents, but this Boldrin and Levine’s book really changed my thinking. Government grants of monopoly only really help the politically connected and discourage innovation.
  • Conspiracy in Philadelphia – Origins of the US Constitution by Dr. Gary North. On several occasions I’ve seen the transition from the Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution referred to as a coup d’état. This book makes the case.
  • Economics and Ethics of Private Property – Hans-Hermann Hoppe’s great work on Austrian Economic theory and Libertarian Philosophy. His writing is wonderful, but it takes me a long time to read due to my fun sidetrips into his many footnotes.

Essays:

  • I, Pencil – Wow, the market really is amazing — and Leonard Read really captures it in this amazing essay. It’s true, as the pencil claims, “not a single person on the face of this earth knows how to make me.”
  • Not Yours to Give – Th wonderful story Davy Crockett’s historic speech in the House of Representatives, as a bill was taken up appropriating money for the benefit of a widow of a distinguished naval officer.
  • Reluctant Anarchist – While Sobran’s journey came later in life, I feel a kinship to what he descbribes here. I like to think of my own journey as a compressed version of his.
  • War Prayer – Mark Twain’s classic essay on the nature of war.

Resources:

  • How an Economy Grows and Why It Doesn't – A classic comic book interpretation of Austrian Economics by Irwin Schiff.
  • Lysander Spooner Archives – Spooner was a leading abolitionist and individual anarchist. Any of his writings are bound to make you think…
  • TOLFA – The Online Freedom Academy. A free of charge self-paced study program on human liberty.

Videos:

  • Crash Course – Chris Martenson’s great work about the likely changes we face in the next 20 years. He’s dead on economically, but doesn’t have a very free-market perspective — so I’m linking you via Jim Davies’ article. You’ll find the direct link within it.
  • Fiat Empire – Why the Federal Reserve violates the U.S. Constitution. This great video was inspired by the work of G. Edward Griffin.
  • How an Economy Grows and Why It Doesn't – A good video interpretation of Irwin Schiff’s classic Austrian Economics comic book.
  • Money, Banking and the Federal Reserve – This great video from the Ludwig von Mises Institute is explains why ending the Federal Reserve should be a top priority for all.
  • Philosophy of Liberty – Perhaps the clearest, simplest explanation of the principles of liberty, non-aggression and private property — all wrapped up in a neat animation with some cool music.
  • Universal Soldier – The classic song written by Buffy Sainte-Marie and recorded by Donovan.