From: Technotranscendence (neptune@mars.superlink.net)
Date: Sat Aug 31 2002 - 17:56:00 MDT
UPCOMING HAYEK-L SEMINAR:
Sept. 15 thru Sept. 25 -- Gene Callahan on his new book _Economics for
Real People: An Introduction to the Austrian School_
>From the publisher:
"At last, a fun and fascinating guide to the main ideas of the Austrian
School of economics, written in sparkling prose especially for the
non-economist. Gene Callahan shows that good economics isn't about
government planning or statistical models. It's about human beings and
the choices they make in the real world.
This may be the most important book of its kind since Hazlitt's
_Economics in One Lesson_. Though written for the beginner, it has been
justly praised by scholars too, including Israel Kirzner, Walter Block,
and Peter Boettke."
Advance praise for the book:
Even a cursory examination of this book is sufficient to impress the
reader that we have here a remarkably well-written exposition for the
layman of the highlights of Austrian Economics.
-- Professor Israel M. Kirzner, New York University
Callahan's new book is going to be a classic and even if he gets hit by
a bus tomorrow, he'll be remembered as a Hazlitt.
-- Robert P. Murphy, author, Chaos Theory
I am often asked what is the best introduction to Austrian Economics.
This is not an easy question to answer. Thomas Taylor's and Stephen
Littlechild's pamphlets from the 1970s immediately come to mind, but
they are both rather 'thin' and now are out of date. On the other hand,
Rothbard's Man, Economy and State and Mises' Human Action are too
'thick' to serve as basic introductions. Gene Callahan's Economics for
Real People fills an important niche in the literature. Written in a
jargon-less and engaging style, Callahan's work provides the most
comprehensive introduction to modern Austrian economics currently
available to the intelligent layman. His work presents Austrian ideas on
methodology, money, and markets (and more) in an easy reading
common-sense language peppered with examples from everyday life and
popular culture. Callahan was alert to a hitherto unexploited
opportunity and seized that opportunity to the mutual benefit of all of
us who value the teachings of the Austrian School of Economics.
-- Peter J. Boettke, Deputy Director, James M. Buchanan Center for
Political
Economy, George Mason University
The only problem with Murray Rothbard's Man, Economy and State is that
it is rather daunting for freshman students of economics. Economics for
Real People is as good a compromise as you'll ever find between the
rigor and coverage of Rothbard's magnum opus and what is required to
introduce newcomers to our profession. The Callahan book occupies an
important market niche: an Austrian-grounded and libertarian-inspired
introductory treatment of economics. I don't toss around compliments
like this lightly, but the passion, eloquence and sheer witty writing
style of this author is also reminiscent of Rothbard. I plan to use it
in all of my future intro courses.
-- Professor Walter Block, Loyola University
Callahan's language is breezy and contemporary, but his thinking is
rigorous and deeply learned in the Austrian tradition. He explains the
basics of economics in the best Misesian and Rothbardian traditions,
bringing Austrian economics to the people with consummate skill and
admirable verve. Callahan possesses an almost uncanny ability to
anticipate his reader's next question and answer it with great lucidity
and minimal jargon. Even if you think you understand the Austrian
approach, Callahan provides both the pleasures of easy lucidity and
fresh ways of looking at old issues--his analogy of CPIs with
thermometers was especially clever and illuminating. The book is not
merely about economics--Callahan ties in the Austrian economic approach
with some of its political implications clearly and convincingly, making
this a useful work not just of economic theory, but of political economy
and public policy as well.
-- Brian Doherty, Reason Magazine
Economics for Real People, engagingly written and surprisingly
comprehensive, is the best overview of Austrian economics for the layman
that I know of. As such, it's an excellent introduction to sound
economic thinking for anyone. It admirably fills a long-standing gap in
the literature.
-- Professor Sanford Ikeda, SUNY Purchase
Gene Callahan's _Economics for Real People_ is available at discount
from Laissez Faire Books at:
http://www.laissezfairebooks.com/product.cfm?op=view&pid=EC8626&aid=1009 s÷
7
Gene Callahan is an adjunct scholar with the Mises Insitute and a
consulting editor at _Episteme_.
Information on the Hayek-L email list, along with information on past
Hayek-L seminars can be found at the Hayek-L email list web page, on the
web at:
http://www.hayekcenter.org/hayek-l/hayek-l.html
Those who wish to participate in the seminar may subscribe to the
Hayek-L email list thru the Hayek-L web site, or by sending the message:
subscribe Hayek-L <yourfirstname> <yourlastname>
to: LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
If you have any questions about the Hayek-L list or the Callahan
seminar, please send a message directly to:
Greg Ransom
Hayek-L list host
Hayek-L Home Page:
http://www.hayekcenter.org/hayek-l/hayek-l.html
Hayek Scholars Page:
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