Monday, December 16, 2013

EPJ's Top Book Picks of 2013

This year in the libertarian book world is almost like the film industry where the top films are released just before the Academy Award nomination deadline.  Two of my three top picks have only been released in recent weeks and I haven't had a chance to review them here at EPJ yet. Nevertheless, they are important books that deserve high rankings among the top books that have been released this year. I'd normally wait for the reviews to speak for themselves, but it strikes me that all three of these books could make interesting Christmas gifts, so I am jumping the gun a bit and getting the word out on these books before the full reviews.

The most important book out this year is Lew Rockwell's Fascism versus Capitalism. The book has only recently been released and I have only finished reading half the book, but in my view, from what I have read so far, the book deserves to become a classic. Every libertarian should own this book. Rockwell does a brilliant job of explaining the political  and economic forces that make the current US economy, in many ways, fascist. It is the best, most carefully presented case, as to what is occurring in the United States today. It is a must read. Buy this not only for yourself but for your intellectually curious friends.

I rank Walter Block's new book, Defending the Undefendable II: Freedom in All Realms, the second most important book out in 2013. In this sequel to his classic, Defending the Undefendable, Block continues   defending, from a libertarian perspective, behavior  that, at first blush, may shock may as behavior that can be defended. Block, however, is simply drawing basic libertarian principles and providing us all with a better understanding of what libertarianism is. As Ken Schoolland writes:
Block is the most courageous of libertarian economists. No issue is too tough for the application of solid principles-and that makes him unique. I find him to be absolutely consistent in his logic, clear enough for anyone to grasp, and bold enough to take on any and all challengers. On top of it all, he's provocative and fun to read. 
My third pick as a top book of 2013 is David Stockman's The Great Deformation: The Corruption of Capitalism in America.

I commented on Stockman's book in May and called it, the most important book coming out of the financial crisis. I will have full reviews of Rockwell's and Block's book upcoming at EPJ, but don't wait, if you want a treat for yourself or want to give a memorable gift to a thinking friend this holiday season, any three of these books will fulfill the task.

6 comments:

  1. Isn't Lew Rockwell's book Fascism vs Capitalism?

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  2. If drunk driving is a right, then it is my right to shoot any drunk driver on sight, since he is infringing on my right to drive safely on the road.

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    1. Hmmm. Here's a reader who does not believe in the "non-aggression principle," no?

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    2. Engaging in risky behavior and engaging in outright, unprovoked aggression are not the same thing. Yikes. Might as well kill off all 16-year-old boys for the threat they provide behind the wheel.

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  3. I am in the middle of Lew's new book (yes...Fascism vs Capitalism) and it is like a meal, so delicious that you want to eat it slowly and savor it.

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  4. I will check out the new Lew Rockwell book. Agree on the Stockman book as a top pick. It is a lengthy read, but IMO is pretty much on the mark regarding what is going on, and how we got here.

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