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U.S. Congressional Candidate Reveals How the Biggest Enemies of Liberty in America Have Infiltrated and Taken over the Tea Party!When the media dubbed former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin the den mother for the Tea Party movement, to many this signaled the end to the libertarian values that the Tea Party originally stood for; upholding the principles of individual liberty, free-agency and peace.Few were more alarmed by this turn of events than Congressional candidate and libertarian author Jake Shannon. In TEA-O-CONNED, he shows how the original credos of the Tea Party movement have been co-opted by a neo-conservative group promoting war in Iran, criticizing immigrants and diversity, and persecuting those with different religious views.Therein lies the danger, in Shannon's view. Thus, he is appalled that the Tea Party has been crashed by "Mad Hatters" such as Palin, Glenn Beck and media outlets like Fox News. TEA-O-CONNED is a modern day Paul Revere-style wake-up call, "The Neo-Cons are coming! The Neo-Cons are coming!"TEA-O-CONNED explains why:* ...the Tea Party movement has veered from the original principles of libertyespoused by former presidential candidate Ron Paul.* ...the party has gone from a viable grassroots movement to "Astroturf."* ...if we want stimulus, we need to abolish the IRS!*...and much, much more! ... Read more

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Chapters: Anarchism in Italy, Libertarianism in Italy, Libertarian Movement, Italian Radicals, Venetian National Party, Liberal Reformers, North-East Project, the Libertarians, Decide!, Pannella List, Bonino List, Bruno Leoni Institute, Pannella-Bonino List, Biennio Rosso, Libertarian Right, Università Popolare. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 83. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: The following WikiProjects or Portals may be able to help recruit one: WikiProject Political parties WikiProject Italy· Italy PortalIf another appropriate WikiProject or portal exists, please adjust this template accordingly.(January 2010) The terms Movimento Libertario (Libertarian Movement in English, acronym ML) are used here to refer to a political party and a cultural movement organisation based in Italy characterized by a libertarianism cultural and political platform: minimal regulation of Italian society, liberism of the markets, strong defense of natural rights of liberty and property, non-interventionism in foreign policy, and laissez-faire freedom of trade and travel to all foreign countries. The Movimento Libertario was originally only an Italian cultural association for the dissemination of libertarianism. As a cultural association, the Movimento Libertario began on September 24, 2005, in Treviglio with the writing of the "Manifesto and Constitution of the Movimento Libertario" by Leonardo Facco. The Movimento Libertario became also an Italian political subject when it is officially founded in September 2007 by Leonardo Facco, Giorgio Fidenato and Marcello Mazzilli, in order to defend life, liberty and property of each individual within a strong liberist system of free market, against any kind of aggression and/or coercion. The Association has its registered office in the Municipality of Po...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=25686690 ... Read more

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The memoir of futures trader, investor seminar guru, and tax protestor Larry Williams

From the Boston Tea Party to the modern Tea Party movement, history is replete with examples of organized resistance to paying taxes. But it's not just large groups, as Henry David Thoreau was briefly jailed for refusing to pay taxes. Confessions of a Radical Tax Protestor: An Inside ExposŽ of the Tax Resistance Movement is the true story of another famous tax protestor-Larry Williams. From his arrest in Australia and extradition to the United States to his victorious fight against the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the book

• Reveals the seedy underworld of tax avoidance specialists
• Explains the difference between honest tax protests and illegal estate planning strategies and tax havens
• Details why the famous money manager, high profile Libertarian, and father of actress Michelle Williams ultimately agreed to do PSAs for the IRS denouncing tax protests on an individual basis

From South Africa to Australia to the United States, Confessions of a Radical Tax Protestor is the incredible true story of one man's victorious fight for what he believed in. ... Read more

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In UNSANCTIONED VOICE, Journalist Bruce Ramsey explores the life and work of Garet Garrett, one of the most controversial columnists of his time.

Garrett was a lone voice speaking out against the policies of the New Deal and the national movement towards collectivism that he saw as endangering the very fabric of American society.

In Garrett's 14 novels, and through his columns in the Saturday Evening Post, and the New York Times, he positioned himself as one of the most eloquent voices of the Old Right, the clear precursor of today's Tea Party Movement.

UNSANCTIONED VOICE is the story of a writer who found himself on the losing side of a national debate about the limits of government - a debate that is even more crucial today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A strong choice for biography collections
They say dissent is the voice of America, and if so, Garet Garett was a true patriot. "Unsanctioned Voice: Garet Garrett, Journalist of the Old Right" tells the story of this persistent opponent to both the Franklin Roosevelt and Truman administrations, but never losing his cool to mudslinging, as so many of today's journalists degrade to. Telling the story of his life and how Garrett's life and practices should be a model for the modern pundit, "Unsanctioned Voice" is a strong choice for biography collections of any sort. ... Read more

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Did Neanderthals die out because of universal health care? What does the last carrier pigeon have to do with the Fed? If central banking is such a good idea, why don't we have a sperm central bank? These and the forty other essays here offer a unique Yankee approach to today's top topics.

Dr. Phil Maymin is an award-winning journalist, a policy scholar for New England's largest free market think tank, a Justice of the Peace, a former Congressional candidate, a columnist for the Fairfield County Weekly and LewRockwell.com, and an Assistant Professor of Finance and Risk Engineering at NYU-Polytechnic Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Chicago and Master's and Bachelor's degrees from Harvard University. He has also been a portfolio manager at Long-Term Capital Management, Ellington Management Group, and his own hedge fund, Maymin Capital Management. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Petra Kelly- Freedom to Think Differently
Sara Parkin's meticulously researched and first biography of Petra Kelly, opens the green kimono of her very public persona to reveal a complex character who was publically revered for her charismatic leadership but privately was deeply vulnerable and uncertain in her intimate private life.Through her window on Petra's life, Parkins solidarity with in her sensitive explorations of her journey feels somehow biographical for her in certain points.

Born in Bavaria in 1947, it was clear early on in Petra's childhood that Kelly was different from a young age when her teachers in the Roman Catholic convent in Gunzberg continually commented to her parents that the child was special. After her family moved from Germany to Georgia in 1960, she not only threw herself into school politics, public speaking, writing and academics, but also became a local celebrity, foreshadowing of her ability to excel at anything she put her mind to. There were not enough hours in the day for Kelly, who read whatever books she could get her hands on about those who inspired her including Martin Luther King, Henry David Thoreau, the Dalai Lama and more.

In 1966 she entered the School of International Service at American University in Washington, D.C, majoring in political science and international relations.During university she continued to involve herself in myriad organizations and clubs, organizing the first International Week (now an annual event). She passionately campaigned for Robert Kennedy who became her political idol, and after his murder, for Hubert Humphrey in the 1968 elections.Both were in correspondence directly with Petra throughout her college career.The non-violent civil rights movement of African Americans and the Vietnam War engaged her spirit viscerally and irrevocably.

One of the new revelations in Parkin's biography is some of the elements of Petra's personal life that were heretofore unknown.For example, the death of Kelly's half sister Grace in 1970 to eye cancer was a pivotal point in her life; thereafter she decided to dedicate her life to non violence. Despite the fact that Grace's cancer was incurable and unrelated to nuclear issues, as Parkin asserts `nuclear technology represented for Petra the epitome of violence, to the health and safety of people and the environment', and thus the cause of nuclear disbarment became one of her rallying cries. It was Grace in particular that motivated her to become an activist for this cause. Kelly would dedicate the rest of her life to her involvement in antiwar, civil rights, antinuclear, and feminist movements. Kelly had dreamt of creating an `anti party' party, and achieved this goal in 1979 with the creation of the new nonviolent ecological German Green Party. She was elected to chairperson in 1980, becoming the becoming the first German female head of a political party. Throughout the next ten years she stayed involved in grassroots activism, building bridges across disciplines and borders, such as in the ecofeminist movement.

Parkin's biography also sheds new light on Petra's life which was tragically cut short so suddenly.In 1992 she was shot in Bonn She was shot while sleeping, most likely by her closest friend, lover and Green politician Gert Bastion who then killed himself.Kelly's friends believe that her death occurred unexpectedly and without her consent.In this biography, Parkin seeks in her extremely thorough account not only to give us the important snapshots of Kelly's life, but also to shine a light on the person not just freedom fighter's public to answer some of the questions of who the person behind the public persona really was.
Parkin's only fault through her sensitive explorations of Petra Kelly is perhaps the creation of a book that at times reads more like a history textbook than a biography. But overall, it is a solid and well-crafted biography of a complicated person which provides truly new insights to the iconic freedom fighter. We are taken on a journey through the highs and lows of her 44 prolific years on Earth, with no gritty details spared. We see the highs of her high school days, her whirlwind romances and her numerous awards received.Parkin does not hide from us the low points in the life of this heroine, be it her struggle with anxiety and paranoia or the great loss of her life that was her sister's death from cancer. In including every detail possible, we feel as though we are with her every step of her unique journey, by the end intimately connected and attached to this character we don't even know firsthand.

We are not just presented with Petra's public persona with all of its charm and eloquence - the Jeanne d'Arc of the nuclear age, a secular nun, but also with the real Petra, who was fraught with insecurities and anxiety and sometimes paralyzed by her ambivalence. Petra is at once an incredible super human character, and someone just like us who we can see ourselves in.Petra championed the green cause, and hand in hand the cause of non violence throughout her short life. But we see that the cause of non violence was not always an easy one for her. She too battled and struggled with the concept, or at least the concept in practice, in her last years keeping a gun in her house for fear of being attacked. We find hope in her struggle- we too don't have to be perfect to attempt to change the world in our own way, however small, because even the most accomplished activists have struggled too.

... Read more

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A detailed look at how, and why, the American financial system has reached its current state

Today's economy and capital markets are faced with the long-term buildup of public and private credit. Furthermore, we face higher taxes, greater spending, and more debt. We are now at a critical crossroads and our leaders have few realistic solutions. Proposals calling for tax reforms or fewer regulations have fallen on deaf ears. In fact, U.S. democracy has become more socialist and reform is needed immediately. Endless Money is an examination of how the U.S. government and the country's financial systems have embraced socialism, and why cultural deterioration reinforces the trend and jeopardizes democracy. In it, author William Baker sees this socialism embodied in two things. The first is the socialization of income, the second is the socialization of credit.

• Explores the present socialistic qualities of the American government and its financial system
• Looks back at how today's conditions relate not just to the Great Depression, but ancient empires such as Rome
• Calls for radical changes such as reduced regulatory power of the Federal Reserve, a considerable devaluation of the dollar in terms of gold, and repeal of income tax
• Includes a Web site devoted to book, with recommendations, quotes from the financial community, and think tank contacts

Insightful and informative, Endless Money examines our current economic condition and describes what the United States can do to get back on the right economic track. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Required knowledge that is doomed to be ignored...
This book is not a natural page turner.It is certainly not a quick read, but the ideas that it presents are invaluable for everyone to understand.Baker mentions that we have moved so far away from the monetary basics espoused within, that the conservatives don't even get the picture anymore, and he is right.Nearly half of the US population effectively pays no income taxes.The Left is given almost a majority of the electorate off the bat who can vote for entitlements galore and have no skin in the game...which leads us to where we are now, with tens of trillions of actual current debt and future liabilities, with no way to ever pay it back.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a better comprehension of monetary policy and our economy, along with how we fit into the historic picture.It is a must read.Then pass it along to someone who you believe is thoughtful and bright enough to understand the economic message within.There needs to be as many Americans armed with this knowledge as possible.It truly may be too late anyway.Socialism has been spreading like cancer, and automatic spending (social security, medicare, debt interest and now healthcare) is completely out of control.Not even elected conservatives seem to have the will to rein in the entitlements.

missing the real elephant in the room
A chapter of this book is entitled "Elephants in the room." The author points to many of the obvious ailments produced by our nation's fiat currency and rightly points out why socialism always fails. If one is going to reference von Mises, Rothbard and the Austrian School of Economics this stands to reason. However, he ignores the real "elephant in the room" by giving a pass to and warmly embracing the military industrial complex.
Page after page calls out the Democrats for their excesses (CRA, ACORN, etc.) but the Republicans have seemingly only stepped slightly out of line and need "a brush up" on economics. Baker blames the nation's woes on domestic spending, hippies, Woodstock, and welfare, but fails to notice the drain caused by the military's globe straddling empire.Baker apparently believes that perpetual war against a tactic (terrorism) is somehow doable yet throughout the book he notes the tremendous costs of America's prior wars and the financial suffering which naturally occurs.

After revealing the recruitment of Major General Smedley Butler by a group of wealthy NY brokers to overthrow the US government in 1934, he fails to mention the retired general's book: "War is a Racket" wherein Butler reveals that his entire military career was that of a strong man for his Wall St. bosses enforcing corporate America's will on various countries. How is this different than today's military and why is this enterprise funded by taxpayers?

He suggests that our various military interventions are all for wholesome, worthwhile reasons and apparently can't imagine that they may be the cause of terrorism against the US.

The book is worthwhile in the context of reminding us of what the Austrian School cautions against- a fiat currency, coupled with an out of control federal government, will ultimately destroy the country. But, how does he turn a blind eye to the military industrial complex and how sanctioning, invading, and bombing other countries makes us less safe and will only hasten our impending financial collapse?

Timely Work by a Thoughtful Academic Practitioner
William Baker has a produced a timely work on the financial crisis of our generation.As an investment professional Baker has intertwined both academic and practical insights compiling and making relevant economic historical examples providing insights into the present day.He has successfully debunked Keynes "New Economy" and exposing the dark motives and drivers of today's socialist alliance, a combination of the über rich and the rights of the entitled lower-middle class.The book is a well reasoned cautionary tale providing direction for individuals and our country to avoid calamity. The book is well written and would make a welcome gift for the holidays or as an addition to any serious student of the synthesis of economics, history, politics, and philosophy.

Insightful and Relevant Must Read
Must read for anyone who has a thirst for knowledge regarding the financial disaster of today, how it relates to history and the political scene, and what must be done to turn things around!!

Unquestionably the most in-depth assessment of the US Economy today
Every library covering economic and current market dynamics will require a copy.
What currently is being overlooked or poorly acknowledged by main stream academia and media is clarified in this profound accountinig of today's economy. ... Read more

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“Rolen and Thomas have detailed their prescient view of America through the lens of historical reality and truth with precise arguments for freedom, liberty, and a socially moral responsibility of the individual. Patriots come in all sizes, colors, and political whim; those like Rolen and Thomas exhibit and exercise theirs through the beautiful art of the written word that further defines their conservative ideology wrapped in a touch of flag and the Constitution. Bravo!! A must read by every thinking and caring American.”Gerald R. Molen, Academy Award winning producer of Schindler’s List, Rain Man, and Jurassic Park ... Read more

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From its small government, non-aggressive, republican beginnings, America has become a garrison state devoted to remaking the world in its own image. While Republicans and Democrats quibble over the details of policing the world and running a nanny state, Ledbetter looks at another way, a forgotten way, the way invented during a tiny window of opportunity by the Enlightenment philosophers who wrote the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution. America’s Forgotten History is their story, a story once well-known but now lost to both historians and the general populace in the course of America’s mad rush into the future. Part One, Foundations, examined the Enlightenment underpinnings of the American system, the colonial period, the Revolution and Constitution, and the first generation of presidents. Part Two, Rupture, continues the story up through Lincoln and the Civil War. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

At least as good as Part I, maybe better
Mark Ledbetter has hijacked my new Graphite Kindle DX through his excellent books. I haven't been able to read anything else.

Seriously though, I thought America's Forgotten History Part II was at least as good as Part I. As in Part I, I learned many things, particularly in regards to the Civil War, Mexican War, and Abraham Lincoln. I already knew that American history contained much propaganda, but I wasn't aware of the extent until I read Mark's books.

There is no boring part to this book. Even while he was covering presidents Van Buren through Buchanan the book was interesting and he kept my attention. I wasn't really interested in that era before but now I am (and I see why it is partly ignored today).

Anyway, after two homeruns, I will have to go check out his other book, Globocop.

History Lover Learns Something New
Wonderful book. Three quick impressions.

1. It's the first history book I ever read that caused me to laugh out loud on several occasions.

2. I found myself reading a few pages, putting the book down and thinking for about ten minutes. I hate it when authors make me do that.

3. It is obvious that Mark has great respect for the English language and uses it with care.

Pete the Railroad Guy
... Read more

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The Liberty Movement had no plan for victory so veteran political consultant, tea party activist and libertarian author Jim Ostrowski created one.Direct Citizen Action is a concise strategy manual for those who want America to be a free country again.Ostrowski explains what you can do right now to restore American liberty.Hint: it's not voting for the lesser of two liars or writing a letter to your Congressman's waste paper basket. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A manual for liberty
It appears that James Ostrowski is by no means extraordinary--he's a family man and lawyer from New York. However, it seems he's one of the many bright individuals in this country worried about the state of affairs and gutsy enough to do something about it. Direct Citizen Action is a concise, thoughtful manual on how to regain liberty in the troubled American experiment. With short essays, the author shows why status quo political action is not the solution.

The solution, according to Ostrowski is to educate, prepare, and vote with your money. Ostrowski offers practical methods to learn about the state of affairs (the book's website PoliticalClassDismissed.com/teaparty is full of resources), get ready for crises with equipment and (naturally) guns, and how to stop giving money to the political machine. He also goes as far as to instruct on how to set up a neighborhood militia. This is no book for the faint of heart!

The author finishes with interesting papers of his surveying the economy. This is a good resource and a definitely recommendation for patriots and fellow liberty-minded people.

The Best Thing Since Samuel Konkin's Manifesto
If you look at most books proposing a "strategy" for the liberty movement, they tend to be very lacking in the specifics. Oh sure, there is talk about what policy platform ought to be followed, but getting there is left to one's own imagination.

Direct Citizen Action is not one of those books. Not only does Ostrowski give a good common sense platform to pursue, he gives an excellent set of tactics on how to achieve it. Instead of trying to get certain politicians elected, Ostrowski argues for what he calls "Direct Citizen Action," which some readers will find similar to the agorist tactics described by Samuel Edward Konkin III in New Libertarian Manifesto

Direct Citizen Action basically consists of influencing government power without having to use governmental avenues to do so. In that sense, what this book advocates is far more potent that traditional voting, because the tactics described produced immediate results unlike contributing a ballot to a pool of millions of others, which to be effective would require changing the minds of other people. In short, this is the primary advantage of Ostrowski's ideas. Instead of direct political participation, which entails that you get other people to agree with you (like that will ever happen amongst the Chomskyites and Michael Moore idolizers of today), you can help create a freer society by becoming self-sufficient and minimizing your contacts with government. Very rarely should we resort to voting or campaigning, unless the candidate in question is as well-rounded as Ron Paul.

The book is divided into three main parts:

First, it looks at what our present status is and where we ought to be. Ostrowski begins this part by highlighting the most significant shortcomings of our nation today in the context of governmental threats to liberty. He then explains what we ought to achieve in it's place. Here Ostrowski is far less radical than the agorists he otherwise seems to be similar to. If he is, then he certainly doesn't make it public in this book, and nor should he if he wants to draw attention to a feasibly accessible platform. From there he explains why traditional political methods of affecting the government's role in our lives are far from perfect, and that Direct Citizen Action is far more potent.

In the Second part, he explains some key points and tactics relevant to DCA. This includes everything from moving to less politically intrusive states to boycotting businesses who bankroll statist politicians. These are excellent tactics in my opinion, and they are a great add-on to any counter-economist as well as mainstream tea-partier. All in all, they are different ways of reducing the role and influence of government in your here and now. Over time they can lead to the system shrinking altogether.

Part Three is sure to raise a few eyebrows. It is intended to inform the reader on what they need to do in order to prepare themselves for what might potentially happen as more people take the actions of part two into practice. This includes forming a militia if necessary. I thought this was crazy at first, but then again what Ostrowski advocates here really isn't all that different from what might happen in the latter stages of agorist revolution. I definitely think he's onto something.

Along with the conclusion, the book also has some excellent bonuses which include an appendix detailing five key lessons everyone should know about economics, and a list of books and resources to further educate yourself for educating others.

I will say it clearly: If you are part of the tea-party movement, the Ron Paul Revolution, or are deep into Libertarian thinking in general (in my case, this has led me to adopt agorism), then you owe it to yourself to buy this book. Get multiple copies and give them as gifts, recommend it to others who happen to be interested in freedom-oriented writings. Most of all, don't forget to put this book's suggestions into practice yourself!

DCA
A quick easy read, well thought out and lays a groundwork on how to create grassroots activism for a libertarian, constitutional, movement. The Author was Ron Paul's election lawyer in NY. He has been a Libertarian for years. A must for any Libertarian who wants to help grow the party and the ideals of limited government.

I plan to buy more copies for friends and family.
I hope this book does serve as a strategy manual for the liberty movement. I plan to share it with family and friends. The book can be read easily in less than a day and I hope it becomes a sort of "Common Sense" of our day. I held back on five stars as the book has some obvious "typos", but it is my understanding that the author skimped in some areas to keep the book cheap in order to assure the most widespread distribution. I am thankful for the inclusion of the Appendix and essay "Economics in Five Lessons". ... Read more

Product Description
In 100 pages, Jane Q Public presents the results of years of watching C-span, listening to political talk radio, being subjected to the sound-bite addicted politicos from both sides of the aisle and those running to get into office, those who seem to be on every broadcast station in or near the nation's capitol. The results are here, insightful and frank, funny and frightening -- everything 'they" know about what the average American really wants: solutions to pollution, the economy, the wars, and the incessant finger pointing, blaming and name calling that leads nowhere.

In this landmark study, a brave American woman shares the results of her life-long observations of the American political animal and reveals the devastating truth.

In a mere 100 pages, Jane Q. Public distills years of research and thousands of hours of watching and listening to pundits of all persuasions to reveal the most complete and accurate study of what politicians know about what average Americans want.

Forthright, frank and funny, Jane literally spells out everything in language even politicians can understand. She even leaves room for your comments, because she knows you matter!

This is the perfect gift to send to your elected officials, letting them know that you know the inside secrets. Send it to them on July 4, Independence Day or any day all the way up to Election Day. Send a few to your 'on the fence' friends so you can share the insights. And buy one for the neighbor who puts up all those election signs in his yard.

All the answers are right here, in this little book. Between the covers of this timely tome, readers will find 100 blank pages, the collective knowledge of politicians and pundits who tell us what we think without ever having asked. Because if the truth is to be told, what do pundits and politicians know about "real life"? ... Read more

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Professor von Mises addressed himself to a particular issue: what is the essential difference between bureaucratic management by government and market management in a system based on private ownership of the means of production?Mises does not discuss bureaus or bureaucrats, but inexorable principles of human action. He does not condemn bureaucracy, which is the appropriate technique for the conduct of government agencies such as courts of law, police departments, and the Internal Revenue Service; however, in economic production and distribution, the bureaucratic method is shown to be an abomination that spells universal ruin and disaster. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Shows bureaucracy for what it is.
This is an excellent book and a devastating critique against bureaucracy. Even though this book was written in 1944 many of the problems, irritations and false hopes of bureaucracy as outlined in this book are still relevant, if not more so, today. Times may change but bureaucracy does not.

Brilliant Analysis
This stands as one of Mises's best books.The author offers an insightful and detailed analysis of bureaucratic management and compares it to private management.He also discusses the affects the former can have on private enterprise.Other topics related to bureaucracy, of course, are discussed.I enjoyed reading this book very much and walked away a better economist because of it.

The most thorough and objective analysis of the method of government I have ever read.
Brilliant, concise, extraordinarily objective and analytical, while delving into the exposition of bureaucracy so thoroughly this reader at least, found the case quite damning.

Now More that Ever!
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RIOGBMEF9HCGS Ludwig von Mises' stuff is worth reading twice and this book remains highly pertinent today.

As timely and insightful now as it was over half a century ago
Written by professor former Vienna Chamber of Commerce economist Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973), Bureaucracy is a classic economic treatise, first published in 1944, about how the efficient aspects of private ownership and control of public good production ultimately produces superior results compared to the mishmash of publically administrated plans laced with codes of "officialdom", government incompetence, unforeseen legal wranglings, graft, and other ills. "Bureaucracy in itself is neither good nor bad," Mises states; rather, bureaucracy is a valuable resource for managing certain spheres of human activity, such as policing and courts of law, yet ultimately a failure or even harmful when applied to private enterprise, simply because forced obedience to strict rules hobbles entrepreneurial managers' room to maneuver amid fluctuating market situations, and stifles their innovation in response to evolving consumer wants. "Under socialism... the beginner must please the already settled. They do not like too efficient newcomers. (Neither do old-established entrepreneurs like such men; but, under the supremacy of the consumers, they cannot prevent their competition.) In the bureaucratic machine of socialism the way toward promotion is not achievement but the favor of the superiors... The rising generation is at the mercy of the aged." As timely and insightful now as it was over half a century ago, Bureaucracy is highly recommended especially for college library and economic studies shelves. ... Read more

Product Description
The Conscience of a Conservative reignited the American conservative movement and made Barry Goldwater a political star. It influenced countless conservatives in the United States, and helped lay the foundation for the Reagan Revolution in 1980. It covers topics such as education, labor unions and policies, civil rights, agricultural policy and farm subsidies, social welfare programs, and income taxation. This significant book lays out the conservative position both politically and economically that would come to dominate the Conservative Movement in American. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (61)

As relevant today as the day it was written
It is amazing how relevant this book still is today(except maybe the chapter on communism and the cold war).

This book would be worth it just for the great knowledge provided in the first chapter.

My favorite part:
""We liberals" they say, "are interested in people. Our concern is with human beings while you Conservatives are preoccupied with the preservation of economic privilege and status...Such statements, from friend and foe alike do great injustice to the Conservative point of view. Conservatism is NOT an economic theory, though is has economic implications. The shoe is precisely on the other foot: it is Socialism that subordinates all other considerations to man's material well being. It is Conservatism that puts material things in their proper place--that has a structured view of the human being and of human society, in which economics plays only a subsidary role.

The root difference between Conservatives and Liberals of today is that Conservatives take account of the WHOLE man, while the Liberals tend to look only at the material side of man's nature."

I'd agree that a much better name for this book in the current political climate would be "The Conscience of a Libertarian"

Goldwater goes onto talk about the peril's of power, states' rights, civil rights, freedom and the farmer, and freedom for labor each presented with zeal and clarity and providing unique and relevant wisdom for any American.

The problem that I've always found with Libertarianism is that it takes a bit longer to explain fully than the democrat(I want to take your money to help others) or republican(I want to cut taxes to increase freedom but tell you how to live your life), but once someone understands the Libertarian position, I rarely here a truly compelling argument that stops someone from entertaining the idea.The arguements I hear are those who really wans to take money from the better off to give from the worse off(the left) or really wantwant to tell you how to live your personal life(right).

Read this book as it as it a classic political text.

I suggest it to:
Libertarians: to confirm the republican party once held dear many of your believes
Republicans: to remember who you are and what once made you great
Democrats: to see why true conservatism is an a political philosophy that makes a lot of sense

Barry Goldwater's Conscience of a Conservative is Excellent Reading
Barry Goldwater's "The Conscience of a Conservative" provides a great insight into the person of Barry Goldwater, and brilliantly explains the mind and logic of the conservative.This book was written in the 1960's; many of the problems that we are seeing today were in their beginning stages when this book was written.Barry warned us of the ramifications of a country which vests too much power into the federal government, and which abandons its constitutional roots.The book is an excellent read to understand conservatives.

Reads like today's newspaper ...
What a great book ... can't believe I hadn't read this years ago. It's 50 years old but, except for some of the terminology that he uses (50's era words seem somewhat dated today), it reads like today's newspaper. It is a very brief, focused, common-sense book. You can read it in an afternoon, but think about it for a long time.

A Lesson in Brevity- 82 page book!
This book would probably be better titled today, "The Conscience of a Libertarian." At least from my experience, the "Conservative" he speaks of is in little resemblance to those claiming Conservatism today. His ideas, many of which I adhere to, get the stink-eye when discussing in every day life.

It is nearly impossible to get anyone to admit that America is (at least Constitutionally) a Republic. The Federal Gov't isn't sovereign. Federal aid does not come "free." A strong nation depends on States' Rights. Civil Rights are not Human Rights, but rights that have already been incorporated into law. Our nation is governed by the Rule of Law not men. Corporations like Unions should not participate in politics. Corporations and Unions should not have monopolistic control. Federal programs are not authorized by the Constitution. The Federal Government is not authorized to set up a Welfare State. Federal aid in education- or any program- leads to Federal control.

The Goldwater vision of America is Constitutionally honorable at heart, but impossible in practice. I say impossible because I believe that America has already crossed the Rubicon. Goldwater's chapter on The Welfare State and Notes on Education show the brilliance of his foresight.

His last chapter on foreign policy, namely Russia, has my jury still out. Goldwater argues that we should take a more offensive approach towards International Communism. Today, we have the vantage point of the Vietnam experience as opposed to Goldwater's pre-Vietnam horizon. I don't know what the answer is in regards to Communism, but I do agree with Goldwater that we should not welcome it onto our shores as if it is just another political theory. We should not give foreign aid to those who claim Communist neutrality. And that a weak American economy will be ripe for Communist subversion.

I don't believe that the Cold War has necessarily ended. As he so predicts on the last page that Communists will continue to lay down one challenge after another; limiting the choices to all-out war or limited retreat. I think we may witness this move by Russia in the very near future regarding Iran's nuclear power. I hope that American representatives will exercise strong leadership.

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This is a must read for any and all Americans - or anyone else for that matter.Your political stripe doesn't matter, you will learn something.Plus this book is a pretty quick read only 116 pages or so... ... Read more