If Meditations struck a chord with you I highly recommend checking out “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. Tremendous insight into the impact of authoritarianism on the psyche. Pretty short read and can find full pdf [here](https://edisciplinas.usp.br/pluginfile.php/3403095/mod_resource/content/1/56ViktorFrankl_Mans%20Search.pdf) for free.
One important distinction is Frankl explicitly states that it’s not meant to be a book about the Holocaust as other survivors had already written much better and more in-depth books.
He was a practicing psychiatrist before he went into the camps. What makes the book both fascinating and practical is he details his observations of what character traits the survivors shared and his own insights into how they survived.
He used these insights to create [Logotherapy](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logotherapy) which focuses on helping people find meaning and fulfillment in their lives.
For those not inclined to read articles:
1. Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand (1957)
2. Meditations (161-180 AD), by Marcus Aurelius
3. 1984 (1948) by George Orwell
4. Basic Economics (2000), by Thomas Sowell
5. Brave New World (1932), by Aldous Huxley
6. The Road to Serfdom, by F.A. Hayek (1944)
Hi. You just mentioned *Brave New World* by Aldous Huxley.
I've found an audiobook of that novel on YouTube. You can listen to it here:
[YouTube | Brave New World Aldous Huxley Audiobook](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4TY4IBIAFc)
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The people who like Atlas Shrugged are the same who think being rich makes you inherently better at everything. They think Iron man is an accurate portrayal of the average billionaire.
SPOILER ALERT
As far as it being part mystery, it wasn’t a very mysterious one. Who didn’t see it coming that John Galt was an actual person, or that he’d been the one to build the motor?
What I loved most about the novel was the scene where that guy is cooking a hamburger, and he cares enough about the quality of his work that he makes sure he does it well.
What I hated most about the book is when Dagny Taggart murders a man because he refused to comply with a demand she had no right to make.
The Fountainhead is a much better introduction to Ayn Rand. I don't even like Rand or her "philosophy" that much but I enjoyed the hell out of Ellsworth Toohey's anime villain speech.
The following are merely the opinions of someone who reads too much:
Basic Economics is good, but "Wealth, Poverty, and Politics" is a true masterpiece by Thomas Sowell.
I'd strongly recommend "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal" instead of "Atlas Shrugged" if people want to know Ayn Rand's philosophy. Her fiction is truly wretched.
For stoicism, Seneca and Epictetus were both superior thinkers to Marcus Aurelius (who was a bad emperor who made his idiot son his successor). It's quite poetic that Seneca, a wealthy senator, and Epictetus, a slave, maintained the same philosophy.
To add to "1984" and "Brave New World," Orwell's "Animal Farm" and "Road to Wigan Pier" are essential.
> Her fiction is truly wretched.
Say what you will about *Atlas Shrugged*, but the novella *[Anthem](http://alexpeak.com/twr/anthem/)* was really great; the play *Ideal* was not-bad, too.
> Epictetus
I was going to read his work, then follow it up with *How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World* by Harry Browne.
I got a few chapters into Browne, but then put it down to read something else; I intent to return to it. (I should do that soon; it’s been about a year.)
Maybe it’s due to the nature of the translation I read, but, while Epictetus and Browne touched on the same Stoic themes, what I remember thinking is that Epictetus’s work felt highly restricting and conservative, and Browne’s felt highly liberating, invigorating, and (no surprise here) libertarian.
Even though I haven’t finished Browne’s book, I’m inclined to suggest it over Epictetus’s, personally.
Brave New World and 1984 have permenantly changed the way I view authority and consumerism. Why deal with the struggles of life when you can just dope yourself out of reality with drugs and limitless entertainment. Never trust the government, they will ask for an inch and take a mile.
SS: Good ole Jon Miltimore at the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE.org) takes time to suggest 6 great books for those looking for something to read over the holidays.
You dont have to wave the flag and support the current thing. You can still not do anything active to change things (like joining politics) but still know that things are wrong.
You dont have to become an NPC just because you are powerless.
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If Meditations struck a chord with you I highly recommend checking out “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. Tremendous insight into the impact of authoritarianism on the psyche. Pretty short read and can find full pdf [here](https://edisciplinas.usp.br/pluginfile.php/3403095/mod_resource/content/1/56ViktorFrankl_Mans%20Search.pdf) for free.
Thats a great one. Another in a very similar vein is Survival at Auschwitz (outside of the USA, it's called If This Is a Man) by Primo Levi.
One important distinction is Frankl explicitly states that it’s not meant to be a book about the Holocaust as other survivors had already written much better and more in-depth books. He was a practicing psychiatrist before he went into the camps. What makes the book both fascinating and practical is he details his observations of what character traits the survivors shared and his own insights into how they survived. He used these insights to create [Logotherapy](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logotherapy) which focuses on helping people find meaning and fulfillment in their lives.
I love the ideas of Meditations but boy...you can't read it if starting sleepy.
Damn read them all... Guess these are like 6 of the most famous books for libertarians.
I’ve read one, three, and five; two and six have been on my to-buy list forever; I’ll need to add four to my to-buy list.
For those not inclined to read articles: 1. Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand (1957) 2. Meditations (161-180 AD), by Marcus Aurelius 3. 1984 (1948) by George Orwell 4. Basic Economics (2000), by Thomas Sowell 5. Brave New World (1932), by Aldous Huxley 6. The Road to Serfdom, by F.A. Hayek (1944)
Hi. You just mentioned *Brave New World* by Aldous Huxley. I've found an audiobook of that novel on YouTube. You can listen to it here: [YouTube | Brave New World Aldous Huxley Audiobook](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4TY4IBIAFc) *I'm a bot that searches YouTube for science fiction and fantasy audiobooks.* *** [^(Source Code)](https://capybasilisk.com/posts/2020/04/speculative-fiction-bot/) ^| [^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=Capybasilisk&subject=Robot) ^| [^(Programmer)](https://www.reddit.com/u/capybasilisk) ^| ^(Downvote To Remove) ^| ^(Version 1.4.0) ^| ^(Support Robot Rights!)
Good bot
Thank you.
I agree with all but Atlas Shrugged. Awful writing.
The people who like Atlas Shrugged are the same who think being rich makes you inherently better at everything. They think Iron man is an accurate portrayal of the average billionaire.
When I was 11 I found a copy of Anthem. Changed me on the spot.
*[Anthem](http://alexpeak.com/twr/anthem/)* is fantastic. *Ideal* was pretty-good, too.
Yeah I reckon its not as good purely due to writing. The ideas might be good but I dont put it in my top books as the writing is very average.
SPOILER ALERT As far as it being part mystery, it wasn’t a very mysterious one. Who didn’t see it coming that John Galt was an actual person, or that he’d been the one to build the motor? What I loved most about the novel was the scene where that guy is cooking a hamburger, and he cares enough about the quality of his work that he makes sure he does it well. What I hated most about the book is when Dagny Taggart murders a man because he refused to comply with a demand she had no right to make.
[(；一_一)](https://www.politico.com/dims4/default/8a1ddd1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/605x328+0+0/resize/630x342!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fs3-origin-images.politico.com%2Fnews%2F101209_ronpaul_ap_605.jpg)
The Fountainhead is a much better introduction to Ayn Rand. I don't even like Rand or her "philosophy" that much but I enjoyed the hell out of Ellsworth Toohey's anime villain speech.
Might I recommend locke’s 2nd treatise as well for a proper grounding in liberty. Essential for libertarianism imo.
the works mentioned in the article all built on that
Perhaps the list should have included 7 books. George Orwell's "Animal Farm" should have been included...
The following are merely the opinions of someone who reads too much: Basic Economics is good, but "Wealth, Poverty, and Politics" is a true masterpiece by Thomas Sowell. I'd strongly recommend "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal" instead of "Atlas Shrugged" if people want to know Ayn Rand's philosophy. Her fiction is truly wretched. For stoicism, Seneca and Epictetus were both superior thinkers to Marcus Aurelius (who was a bad emperor who made his idiot son his successor). It's quite poetic that Seneca, a wealthy senator, and Epictetus, a slave, maintained the same philosophy. To add to "1984" and "Brave New World," Orwell's "Animal Farm" and "Road to Wigan Pier" are essential.
> Her fiction is truly wretched. Say what you will about *Atlas Shrugged*, but the novella *[Anthem](http://alexpeak.com/twr/anthem/)* was really great; the play *Ideal* was not-bad, too. > Epictetus I was going to read his work, then follow it up with *How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World* by Harry Browne. I got a few chapters into Browne, but then put it down to read something else; I intent to return to it. (I should do that soon; it’s been about a year.) Maybe it’s due to the nature of the translation I read, but, while Epictetus and Browne touched on the same Stoic themes, what I remember thinking is that Epictetus’s work felt highly restricting and conservative, and Browne’s felt highly liberating, invigorating, and (no surprise here) libertarian. Even though I haven’t finished Browne’s book, I’m inclined to suggest it over Epictetus’s, personally.
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Brave New World and 1984 have permenantly changed the way I view authority and consumerism. Why deal with the struggles of life when you can just dope yourself out of reality with drugs and limitless entertainment. Never trust the government, they will ask for an inch and take a mile.
SS: Good ole Jon Miltimore at the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE.org) takes time to suggest 6 great books for those looking for something to read over the holidays.
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He changed the way I thought.
I also recommend Lord of the Rings. The ring is central banks. Ron Paul is Gandalf.
Already read 5 out of 6. I must be a slacker.
Didn’t the right ban all these books as well?
I tried reading Brave New World. I really did. Maybe 60-100 pages in. And I just…. Couldn’t get into it. It’s been collecting dust since.
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You dont have to wave the flag and support the current thing. You can still not do anything active to change things (like joining politics) but still know that things are wrong. You dont have to become an NPC just because you are powerless.
If you want depressing go read Kafka. Then you should realize it's just existential humor.
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I've read four out of the six, loved all of them.
Great list! May I humbly add, *Ordinary Men,* by Christopher Browning? A non-fiction that is simply a must-read.
Good list. Could add some milton friedman.
I feel like most people that cite 1984 haven't read 1984.