Reading many of the posts by MarkHB, FLB, and others, I find myself confused and completely out of touch with some of the topics and subject matter. Is there a good book that will give me a good overview of Economics? Clearly, what I recall from high school econ class isn't getting the job done any more. I'd prefer it not be textbook dry, but if that's all that's available.... I guess I can take one for the team.

Any recommendations?

CJS,

You have PM.

Which topic would you like a good book on? I do not have any degree in Economics or a lot of knowledge in that area, but because I do trade stocks, long and short and delve into commodities every now and then, I make it a point of trying to understand the overall economy and which way the tide is going. Afterall a rising or falling tide moves most all boats. At least the ones that are afloat.
I can recommend some good stock books.

Mark

Although I have been a licensed securities salesperson and actively trade a modest account, I too would describe myself as an inexpert viewer in the field of economics.

My research in the past several years has focused on the development of the derivatives industry, and the shape (and influence) of central banks.

If those topics are of interest, send a pm.

Has anyone read any of books the by Thomas Sowell? One is called "Basic Economics" and another "Economic Facts and Fallacies". I was an Econ major and have had CJS's question asked of me but haven't really read any basic econ books since college textbooks. I used to enjoy Sowell's columns in Forbes until I soured on the magazine due to some misleading and erroneous reporting in a few articles...as well as their editorial bent toward being a little too rah, rah on all things american, but I digress!

The Amazon comments seem to reflect my opinion of Sowell's articles in general. He looks at things with a basic clarity that I like and often in a way that may not be instinctive. Sometimes he may lean a little too free market and not include everything relevant to a situation...the price of simplicity I guess. Since there are various economic theories and since politics is closely intertwined w/ economics, most anything you read can be considered to have an "agenda" espoused by its authors.

One easy trap in economics, no matter who you are reading, is that in looking at a case study example it is very easy to not include all the relevent variables, costs, benefits and effects which can dramatically skew whether something "makes sense" and explains what really is going on. Regardless I think reading a few books like the "Basic Economics" book will get one familiar w/ the general arguments, terms and thought processes involved in econ in a way that should be less dry than a basic textbook.

Anyway, curious if anyone has read these or another of his books..."Knowledge and Decisons" looks interesting.

Here's my current reading list:

Man, Economy and State
by Murray N. Rothbard - 1962 - 1040 pages
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Conceived in Liberty
by Murray N. Rothbard - 1989
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Power and Market

Power and Market
by Murray N. Rothbard - Political Science - 2006 - 348 pages
... Murray N ... Rothbard ...
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Panic of 1819: Reactions and Policies
by Murray N. Rothbard - 1962
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The Ethics of Liberty

The Ethics of Liberty
by Murray N. Rothbard, Hans-Hermann Hoppe - Political Science - 2002 - 308 pages
This edition is newly indexed and includes a new introduction that takes special note of the Robert Nozick-Rothbard controversies.
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The Irrepressible Rothbard: The Rothbard-Rockwell Report Essays of Murray N ...
by Murray N. Rothbard - 2000
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An Austrian Perspective on the History of Economic Thought
by Murray N. Rothbard - Business & Economics - 2006 - 1084 pages
Reprint. Originally published: Aldershot, England : Edward Elgar, 1995.
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Wall Street, Banks, and American Foreign Policy
by Murray N. Rothbard - Banks and banking - 1996
"Rothbard-Rockwell Report."
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The Essential Von Mises

The Essential Von Mises
by Murray N. Rothbard - 1980
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Power & Market: Government and the Economy / by Murray N. Rothbard
by Institute for Humane Studies, Murray N. Rothbard, Rothbard, Murray N., 1926- - Public interest - 1970
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For a New Liberty / [by] Murray N. Rothbard
by Rothbard, Murray N., 1926- - Free enterprise - 1973
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A New Land, a New People: The American Colonies in the Seventeenth Century
by Murray N. Rothbard - 2005
How did the United States come to be so hated?
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The Betrayal of the American Right

The Betrayal of the American Right
by Murray N. Rothbard, Thomas E Woods, Ludwig von Mises Institute (Organization - Political Science - 2007 - 231 pages
... Murray N ... Rothbard ...
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The Panic Of 1819

The Panic Of 1819
by Murray N. Rothbard - Business & Economics - 2007 - 282 pages
... Murray N ... Rothbard ...
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The Politics of Obedience: The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude

The Politics of Obedience: The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude
by Etienne De la Boetie, Harry Kurz, Murray Newton Rothbard - Religion - 1998 - 88 pages
... Murray ... Rothbard ...
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Eine neue Freiheit: Das libertäre Manifest
by Murray N Rothbard - 1999
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America's great depression
by Murray N. Rothbard - 1972 - 361 pages
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For a New Liberty: Libertarian Manifesto
by Murray N. Rothbard - 1973 - 340 pages
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The Review of Austrian Economics
by Murray N. Rothbard - Business & Economics - 1989
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Power and Market: Government and the Economy
by Murray N Rothbard - Public interest - 1970
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Planning for Freedom and Sixteen Other Essays and Addresses
by Ludwig Von Mises, Murray N. Rothbard - Literary Criticism - 1996
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The Challenge of Liberty: Classical Liberalism Today
by Murray N. Rothbard - Political Science - 2006
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The Politics of Obedience and Etienne de la Boetie

The Politics of Obedience and Etienne de la Boetie
by Etienne De La Boetie, Paul Bonnefon, Murray N. Rothbard - Political Science - 2006 - 150 pages
Along with the complete text of "Discourse of Voluntary Servitude," this
edition includes a comprehensive 100-page biography, written by 19th century...
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Government's Money Monopoly

Government's Money Monopoly
by Henry Holzer - Political Science - 2000 - 244 pages
A historical survey of governments total control of the monetary system.
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Il diritto dei proprietari
by Henri Lepage, Murray N. Rothbard
... Murray N ... Rothbard ...
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Libertarian Forum, 1969-1971
by Murray N. Rothbard, Karl Hess - Political Science - 1979
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Gold, Freedom, and Free Markets: Economic Philosophy for Prudent Investors
by Hans F. Sennholz, Murray N. Rothbard, Mark Skousen - Business & Economics - 2004 - 132 pages
ContentsFree Money - Is Sound MoneyHans F. SennholzThe SolutionMurray N. RothbardA
Golden ComebackMark SkousenThe Great Gold RobberyJames BovardGold...
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Four Strategies for Libertarian Change
by Murray N. Rothbard - 1989 - 16 pages
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Puritanism, Statism and the Crusade Against Smoking
by Murray N. Rothbard - 1994 - 4 pages
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Murray's been busy....

Yup---he was a prolific SOB. Died though, so we get no CURRENT commentary. Shame, that...

Probably wouldn't see him interviewed on CNBC...