HN Books @HNBooksMonth

I'll add Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt. It provides an introduction to economics from an Austrian point of view, and dispells many common economic fallacies. A big takeaway for me is that the consequences of policies, such as providing loans to certain groups of farmers, have consequences that we cannot forsee.

https://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Underst...

Another similar book is "Economics in One Lesson" by Henry Hazlitt [1]:

> From this aspect, therefore, the whole of economics can be reduced to a single lesson, and that lesson can be reduced to a single sentence. The art of economics consists in looking not merely at the immediate hut at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing the consequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups.

[1]: https://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Underst...

⬐ jyriand

Came here to post about Hazlitt and you've beaten me to it.

Henry Hazlitt's Economics in One Lesson is a good place to start.

https://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Underst...

One "Old" Book to Learn Economics: Economics in One Lesson: The Shortest and Surest Way to Understand Basic Economics [1]

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Underst...

⬐ econ1212

In section 23, the author states that economics is a science. Moreover he explains what is an algebraic equation and deduction in math to state that the same deduction can be made in economics. For me this is a great joke. The author portraits economics as the science to predict in an accurated and detailed form what will be the consequences of economic actions.

In the book there are no mention to feeling or poverty, missery or people suffering, but surprising there is an emotional strong empathy for the "forgotten men" that he defines in other terms as the people who pay a lot of taxes.

In this lesson economic is defined as a mean to maximize production, no wonder that manking problems are let outside of the equation. Applying his dry logic drug dealers must be perfect economic agents.

The author try to backup his position with one axiom: We must take into consideration all the possible consequences of any economic policy, but he knows that we need to be aware of all those possible consequences. The word education doesn't appear in this lesson, this lesson is lacking any reference to how create values to make a better society and world, how to live in peace. We need to educate people to make then aware of future implications of economics, but the implications are not only for overall production but for our wellbeing. This is not a lesson to make a better world, is a lesson to forget about mankind, the men are out of the equation. The only victims of any economic policy are the "forgotten man" that is the rich suffering paying taxes.

Edited a lot.

⬐ markdog12

Stumbled upon this last week and it's a great little intro.

⬐ acdanger

Thomas Sowell's Basic Economics book was a great introduction, too, though I didn't always agree with some of the politics.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Basic-Economics-Thomas-Sowell/dp/0465...

Henry Hazlitt, one of the economists quoted in the article, wrote a book called Economics in One Lesson [1]. It is a brilliant, and very approachable, piece of writing that should be read by everyone interested in the basics of economic theory.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Underst...

The idea that technology will cause widespread job-loss and economic upheaval is such an old fear, and it never works that way. Technological innovations lead to wealth creation 100% of the time, along with more opportunities for more people, even if some jobs are initially replaced with other jobs. "This time is different" is announced everytime, and it's always the same.

This book is very good for anybody wishing to understand basic economic theory and see many examples throughout history of this exact debate taking place over and over and over again: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0517548232/ (see the chapter "The Curse of Machinery").

⬐ 234dd57d2c8dba

Yes but this time it's different. Throughout history, until the past 50 years or so, the new technology has typically replaced a mechanical function humans were performing. The coming evolution of software and robotics will start performing the mental work humans, until very recently, were the ONLY thing on the planet capable of doing.

For the past 3000 years of "modern humans", we have had a monopoly on the human brain and creative intelligence. That monopoly is coming to an end. What will the average worker do when a robot that can out-wit them? You cannot just handwave this problem away saying "it always creates new jobs!!11".

This problem is well-summarized by this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pq-S557XQU

⬐ twoodfin

I'm pretty sure travel agents believed they were doing "mental work".

It's disheartening to see that Matthew Yglesias has book, with an economic argument no less, that is incredibly popular here on HN. He's been discredited by many economists from the left/right/libertarian. That is, when his arguments aren't simply ad hominems.

If you've read this book, do yourself a favor and read some refutations. Or do one better, and learn economics so you can think about these issues clearly.

http://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understa...

There's a lot to economics, one book that I think is really insightful and quite easy to read is Economics in One Lesson. It's main function is to highlight second order effects, or unintended consequences, of legislation on activity.

http://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understa...

"Economics in One Lesson" by Henry Hazlitt is one of those perfect little books that can greatly expand your world view in one night. I highly recommend it. (http://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understa...)

Also, I second Walden by Thoreau and suggest you read the Fountainhead. The Fountainhead isn't quite as blunt as Atlas Shrugged, but I find it a lot more life affirming and positive.

Absolutely the best by far. I know you said no older books, but this one gets it down to basics, and always seems to be an example of "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it," is

Henry Hazlitt's Economics In One Lesson http://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understa...

⬐ bavcyc

Free articles are available at mises.org, there are enough articles to keep you reading for months/years. Several of the authors predicted the housing bubble bust before it happened although they did not provide an exact time. You won't always agree with the articles but they will make you think.

Recent articles cover the issues and effects with the current administration's budget and economic plan along with more fundamental economic issues.

There is also a section with free books if you do not mind reading on the computer. There is also at least one guide to readings on the mises.org site.

Both of the books mentioned in previous posts are available through the mises.org bookstore.

Also check out Robert Murphy's "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Capitalism" as another primer on economics.

The book that got me started was Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt (http://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understa...). Published in 1946, and still considered a classic.

I would start with this one: http://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understa..., or free online at http://jim.com/econ/contents.html.