What Book Should I Pick?

rutgerscamdenYAL

rutgerscamdenYAL

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Feb 13, 2011
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Hey everyone, I need a little advice...My roommate is a hardcore Santorum supporter/ Neocon and we agreed to each give each other a book to show each other why we believe what we do to see if either one of us can change each others mind about various issues. I am thinking about giving him "blowback" by Chalmers Johnson so he can understand the concept of blowback, but I'd also like to give him a book that is introductory to Austrian theory. Like "understanding the dollar crisis" by Percy Greaves. I think he's going to give me the Santorum book called "it takes a family". Any ideas/suggestions? Thanks!
 
End The Fed...Paul talks a lot about the Austrian theories and also gives a great reading list from easier books on the subject to more advanced publications
 
He already had to read that for school, and said he actually liked it. But is still a hawk on foreign policy and what not.
 
Perhaps "Imperial Hubris" by Michael Sheuer? (As I'm sure you know, Sheuer was head of the CIA's "Bin Laden" unit before he retired)
 
rutgerscamdenYAL said:
Hey everyone, I need a little advice...My roommate is a hardcore Santorum supporter/ Neocon and we agreed to each give each other a book to show each other why we believe what we do to see if either one of us can change each others mind about various issues. I am thinking about giving him "blowback" by Chalmers Johnson so he can understand the concept of blowback, but I'd also like to give him a book that is introductory to Austrian theory. Like "understanding the dollar crisis" by Percy Greaves. I think he's going to give me the Santorum book called "it takes a family". Any ideas/suggestions? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Blowback is def. an interesting read. It not only explains blowback but opens your eyes to how many stupid/asshole things our government has done around the world. It will allow you to use specifics when debating someone...
 
Revolution: A Manifesto

Very easy, yet convincing, read. I do not advise giving Chalmers' Blowback. To be honest, I think the book is kinda boring and is a little outdated. His eyes will glaze over. You know, another book that had a big impact on my conversion from neoconservatism to Paulian conservatism was Lew Rockwell's The Left, The Right, and The State. It's a collection of his written articles over the years. He is a very convincing writer. He goes through and explains the core of statism, and where it exists on the Left and on the Right. Another book that fully cleansed me of my neoconservative tendencies was A Foreign Policy of Freedom, which has all of RP's statements on international affairs while in Congress. Your friends eyes would glaze over, but it really got me, showing his prescience and consistency.
 
I would go the generic route and give him The Revolution. If he is intrigued, then dump on him the particulars like Blowback or other economic books found at mises.org such as the Bastiat Collection or Economics in One Lesson.
 
Have him read The Revolution: A Manifesto. After reading this book I went from Neocon to libertarian in like a day.
 
Washington's Farewell Address in addition to a book such as Revolution: A Manifesto

I have not read them, but one of Chris Hedges books such as "Empire of Illusion" or "The World as it is" might be a good choice - I intend to read those but haven't yet.
 
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Murray Rothbards "Wall Street, Banks, and American Foriegn Policy"

Short book thats like the Genesis 10 of our Corporatocracy.
 
rutgerscamdenYAL said:
Hey everyone, I need a little advice...My roommate is a hardcore Santorum supporter/ Neocon and we agreed to each give each other a book to show each other why we believe what we do to see if either one of us can change each others mind about various issues. I am thinking about giving him "blowback" by Chalmers Johnson so he can understand the concept of blowback, but I'd also like to give him a book that is introductory to Austrian theory. Like "understanding the dollar crisis" by Percy Greaves. I think he's going to give me the Santorum book called "it takes a family". Any ideas/suggestions? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Revolution: A Manifesto

I've converted two people with it. My sister and a good friend. I'm 2/2 with that book :D
 
Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it!! I'll either do the Revolution: A Manifesto or Blowback . Gonna be a tough one.
 
rutgerscamdenYAL said:
Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it!! I'll either do the Revolution: A Manifesto or Blowback . Gonna be a tough one.
Click to expand...

Well if you are still up for suggestions I would advise something more...morally forceful (should appeal to a Santorum supporter) such as The Law by Frederic Bastiat or Anatomy of the State by Murray Rothbard. Both of these are short essay type works that succinctly absolutely destroy the idea of Statism in any form and upholds the proper legacy and understanding of liberty and property rights (Natural Law).

You can read them for free beforehand to see which one you would rather fork over:

Anatomy of the State:

http://mises.org/resources/1011

The Law:

http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf
 
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Aldanga said:
The Revolution is a perfect choice. I've converted people with that.
Click to expand...

Yeah, me too. I've bought several copies over the years because I just keep giving it for people to read and then they never return it lol. But I always convert them, so whatever.
 
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