ISIL Freedom Network: Global > Books > Libertarianism

Libertarianism: A Primer
Source: Simon & Schuster and The Cato Institute
Author: David Boaz
Country: United States

This book may be the introduction to libertarian philosophy that we've been waiting for: a Libertarianism in One Lesson for the nineties. This site includes generous portions of the book.

A History of Force
Source: Lytton Publishing
Author: James L Payne
Country: United States

A detailed exploration of force throughout history that makes a convincing argument for a decline of force. A lot of thought-provoking information very clearly presented. (Pub. 2004; trade paper; 296 pp.)

The Trojan Project
Source: American Liberty Publishers
Author: Edmund Contoski
Country: United States
E-mail: amlibpub@worldnet.att.net

Subtitled "a novel about reshaping America," this is the first effort at fiction from Contoski, known for his successful "Makers and Takers."

Prometheus Rebounds
Source: Borders/Amazon.com
Author: Bill Danks
Country: United States

A "silly, wonderful" book that's light reading with a deft philosophical touch. Great juvenile book, too. Freedom Book of the Month winner. (Pub. 11/03, trade paper, 191 pp.)

The Ten Things You Can't Say in America
Source: St. Martin's Press/Laissez Faire Books
Author: Larry Elder
Country: United States

One of the libertarian movement's rising stars on talk radio weighs in with hardcore arguments of some of today's most explosive issues. St. Martin's Press 2000, hardcover, 354 p., $16.95 from Laissez Faire.

The Future and Its Enemies: The Growing Conflict Over Creativity, Enterprise, and Progress
Source: Reason Foundation
Author: Virginia Postrel
Country: United States
E-mail: futureand@reason.com

Reason's Virginia Postrel weighs in with a new and major work on the virtues of dynamism and freedom versus stasis and regulation. Information, reviews, and ordering information.

The Structure of Liberty: Justice and the Rule of Law
Source: Oxford University Press/Laissez Faire Books
Author: Randy Barnett
Country: United States

Barnett examines the serious social problems that are addressed by liberty . He also outlines the constitutional framework that is needed to protect this structure of liberty. (347 pp., pb, 1998, LFB price: $15.95.)

Crisis and Leviathan
Source: Laissez Faire Books/Oxford
Author: Robert Higgs
Country: United States

Higgs surveys the currently fashionable explanations for how statism has developed, refutes each hypothesis, and develops his own view -- the "Crisis Hypothesis." Under this view, political figures seize new powers to deal with alleged "crises" -- mostly wars and depressions -- and use the cry of "emergency" to justify the increased power. (Paperback, 1987, 350 p., Laissez Faire price $19.95).

The Fatal Deceit: Critique of F. A. Hayek's The Fatal Conceit
Source: The Free Radical
Author: Lindsay Perigo
Country: Australia

"Hayek, a leading contemporary advocate of capitalism, turns out on closer inspection to endorse the fundamental premises of capitalism's enemies." Thus begins this interesting, and controversial, critique of a book by one of the icons of libertarian thought.

The Discovery of Freedom: Man's Struggle Against Authority
Source: Laissez Faire Books
Author: Rose Wilder Lane
Country: United States

Ed Crane, President of Cato, describes this book as "a withering attack on statism, nationalism, and ... the 'fatal conceit' of national economic planning. It is an intellectual tour de force that stood up to the collectivist paradigm of its time and pointed the way to rediscovering the principles of the American Revolution." Fox & Wilkes 1993, paperback, 262 p., $14.95 from Laissez Faire.

A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles
Source: Laissez Faire Books/William Morrow
Author: Thomas Sowell
Country: United States

Sowell's study of the nature and importance of social "visions," and of their roles both in history and behind the scenes of the political clashes that dominate today's headlines. (Paperback, 1987, 273 p., Laissez Faire price $9.95)

Freedom Book of the Month
Source: Free-Market.Net
Author: Sunni Maravillosa
Country: United States

Every month we award the Freedom Book of the Month to one work of fiction or non-fiction that we judge to be the most valuable, interesting new contribution to the literature of liberty. To have the latest reviews e-mailed to you, join the free e-mail list.

Knowledge and Decisions
Source: Laissez Faire Books/Basic Books
Author: Thomas Sowell
Country: United States

Widely considered Sowell's most important theoretical work, "Knowledge and Decisions" demonstrates why the state, because of its very nature and the nature of knowledge, is incapable of making good policy. With a new preface by the author (Paperback, 1998, 448 p., Laissez Faire price $12.50).

What It Means To Be a Libertarian
Source: Carl Semencic
Author: Charles Murray
Country: United States

Short review of Charles Murray's short book, which outlines libertarianism and how it is set apart from other political ideologies.

The Political Economy of the Minimal State
Source: Amazon.com/Edward Elgar
Author: Charles K. Rowley (Ed.)
Country: United States

This volume brings together four essays which defend classical liberal philosophy, and presents a convincing justification of the minimal state. (Pub. 7/96; hardcover; Amazon price $95)

The Return of Common Sense
Source: SunriseView.com
Author: Eric Szuter
Country: United States

"[I]nspired by Thomas Paine's Common Sense of 1776, this polemic reveals a surprising solution to the statist choke-hold. It presents a way to transform our American political state to a nonpolitical state via 'The Common Sense Amendment.'" $19.95 (1999)

It's Getting Better All the Time: The 100 Greatest Trends of the 20th Century
Source: Cato/Laissez Faire Books
Author: Stephen Moore and Julian Simon
Country: United States

For thousands of years, most people have lived in poverty, but in today's booming American economy people need take only three steps to avoid poverty: finish high school, marry before having a child and have a child after age 20. The book covers dramatic progress relating to food, houses, transportation, much more. Cato 2000, paperback, 224 p., $14.95 from Laissez Faire.

Y2K: The Millennium Bug
Source: Don Lobo Tiggre/Amazon.com
Author: Don Lobo Tiggre
Country: United States

Although the millennium scare is past, this Prometheus Award Finalist novel offers an engaging, fast-moving plot and lots of ideas for those interested in living more freely. Also a great way to introduce non-libertarians to the freedom philosophy. (Pub. 08/98, paperback 540 pages, Amazon price $12.60).

The Road to Serfdom: 50th Anniversary Edition
Source: Laissez Faire Books/University of Chicago Press
Author: F.A. Hayek
Country: United States

The center of acute controversy when originally published in 1944, Hayek's argument, firmly based on the principles of nineteenth-century liberalism, remains of great and perhaps heightened relevance today. University of Chicago Press1994, paperback, 274 p., $10.95 from Laissez Faire Books.

Free to Choose: A Personal Statement
Source: Laissez Faire Books/Harcourt Brace
Author: Milton and Rose Friedman
Country: United States

A modern classic -- based on their documentary series for PBS, the Friedmans demonstrate the unintended consequences of regulation and the benefits of economic freedom. 1980, paperback, 338 p., $11.95 from Laissez Faire Books.

An Enemy of the State
Source: Prometheus/Laissez Faire Books
Author: Justin Raimondo
Country: United States

The first biography of one of the most interesting and controversial social theorists of our time. Murray N. Rothbard was a moving force behind the libertarian movement, a radical free marketeer who came of age in the era of collectivism and fought all his life for individualism and laissez-faire against overwhelming odds. Prometheus 2000, hardcover, 360 pp., $24.50 from Laissez Faire Books.

Egalitarianism: A revolt against nature
Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute
Author: Murray Rothbard
Country: United States

"The book's title comes from the lead essay, which argues that egalitarian theory always results in a politics of statist control because it is founded on revolt against the ontological structure of reality itself." (1974)

Anti-Liberalism 2000
Source: IEA
Author: David Henderson
Country: United States

"In the last twenty-five years, many countries have embarked on programmes of economic liberalisation. But, David Henderson argues, it is a mistake to believe that economic liberalism has triumphed: anti-liberal forces are strong and in some respects have gained ground." (56pp, £7.50; also available as a free download) (03/01)

Lever Action
Source: Mountain Media/Laissez Faire Books
Author: L. Neil Smith
Country: United States

The first ever print collection of L. Neil Smith's essays on politics, philosophy and his career as the most prolific living libertarian novelist. May 2001 Free-Market.Net Freedom Book of the Month. (LFB price currently $21.95)

Don't Shoot the Bastards (Yet)
Source: Loompanics/Laissez Faire Books
Author: Claire Wolfe
Country: United States

101 more ways to salvage freedom. Freedom Book of the Month, 10/99 (LFB current price $15.95)

The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible
Source: Small Business Hawaii/Laissez Faire Books
Author: Ken Schoolland
Country: United States

A children's tale of a "free market odyssey" with deeper threads for readers of all ages. A true classic! (Current LFB price $15.95)

The Libertarian Idea
Source: Broadview Press/Laissez Faire Books
Author: Jan Narveson
Country: United States

A thorough, very readable examination of libertarianism. First published in 1988, it's still timely and a valuable resource for those interested in the foundations of freedom. (Pub. 3/01; trade paper; 367 pp.; LFB price $16.95)

Healing Our World in an Age of Aggression
Source: SunStar Press/Laissez Faire Books
Author: Mary J Ruwart
Country: United States

Much more than the third edition of a book, it's a retooled, thorough presentation of libertarian ideas suitable for helping to persuade statists of any stripe. Freedom Book of the Month, 10/03. (Pub. 1/03; 435 pp.; trade paper; LFB price currently $19.95)

Freedom Evolves
Source: Viking Press/Amazon.com
Author: Daniel C Dennett
Country: United States

A cautious (perhaps too cautious) debunking of many concepts relevant to the free will vs. determinism debate, with a generally optimistic tone. Great reading, good for sharing with nonlibertarians. (Pub. 2/03; hardback; 347 pp.; Amazon price $17.47)

Escape from Heaven
Source: Pulpless.com/Amazon.com
Author: J. Neil Schulman
Country: United States

A theological fantasy novel that's purely libertarian (if you can believe it). If you can't laugh at religion, don't pick it up; if you can, you'll enjoy it for that and much more. (Pub. 5/02, 232 pp., paperback, Amazon price $20.97)

TCS bookshelf
Source: TCS
Country: United States

Listing of books by Tech Central Station contributors. An interesting, eclectic assortment!

FreeAudio
Source: FAO
Country: United States

Site offering libertarian books as audio (MP3) files. It's a new site, so there isn't much there yet, but your contribution could help them create more audio files of great libertarian classics.

National Identification Systems: Essays in Opposition
Source: McFarland/Laissez Faire Books
Author: Carl Watner (Ed.)
Country: United States

Collection of essays, some historical, many new, outlining the history and uses of ID, plus resistance to them. Contributors include Rose Wilder Lane and Claire Wolfe. Solid overview of an important topic. (Pub. 1/04; trade paper; 308 pp.)

Property Rights: A Practical Guide to Freedom and Prosperity
Source: Hoover Institute Press/Amazon.com
Author: Terry L Anderson and Laura E Huggins
Country: United States

An excellent introduction to the importance of property rights in freedom. Great outreach book. (Pub 2/03; paper; 94 pp.; Amazon price $10.50)

The Joy of Freedom
Source: Prentice Hall/Amazon.com
Author: David R. Henderson
Country: United States

A wonderful, engaging blend of personal narrative and pro-freedom ideas. Henderson, a professor of "the dismal science," likely makes the subject sparkle if he teaches with the style he displays here. An excellent book for sharing pro-freedom ideas. (Pub. 9/01; hardback; 384 pp.; Amazon price $18.90)

Handbook for Liberty
Source: Berapa Press/Amazon.com
Author: Richard Rieben
Country: United States

An excellent primer on creating liberty that offers a unique, thought-provoking perspective on culture and freedom, and ways to build liberty and keep it. (Pub. 7/01; paper; 90 pp.; Amazon price $10.75)

Injured books from LFB
Source: Laissez Faire Books
Country: United States

Laissez Faire Books' "hurt books", available at good discounts. Items will vary.

Waging the War of Ideas
Source: Institute of Economic Affairs
Author: John Blundell
Country: United States

John Blundell begins his stimulating collection of published essays, reviews and introductions by showing how the founders of the IEA successfully fought the conventional "planning" wisdom of the 1960s and 1970s, providing the ideas which, by the 1980s and 1990s, had brought about increased freedom and a revival in the use of markets. (01/06/04)

Forbidden Property
Source: Writer's Collective/Amazon.com
Author: Grant Sterling
Country: United States

Slim book that addresses why many individuals are not free, and will not be free. Sterling's style is like an informal Rose Wilder Lane, with just as much punch as that lady of liberty. Appropriate for young adults (great graduation gift) or anyone interested in freedom. (Pub. 11/03; trade paper; 184 pp.)

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