Where Do You start reading?
First, you start with our email list, then we have a bunch of books for you to read...
Fiction
The Golden Age
by John C. Wright
The Golden Age by John C. Wright is a science fiction novel set far in the future where humanity has surpassed all forms of biological limitations and technology has advanced beyond imagination. The story follows the protagonist, Phaethon, a member of the ruling elite, who discovers that his memories have been tampered with and sets out on a quest to uncover the truth behind his identity.
The novel is rich with philosophical and ethical questions regarding the nature of identity, memory, and freedom in a society where all needs are met and death is virtually non-existent. Wright skillfully weaves together hard science fiction concepts with intricate plot twists and engaging characters that keep the reader invested in the outcome.
Overall, The Golden Age is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that challenges the reader to consider what it truly means to be human in a world without limitations.
The Phoenix Exultant: The Golden Age, Volume 2
by John C. Wright
The Phoenix Exultant is the second book in The Golden Age Trilogy by John C. Wright. The story follows Phaethon, a member of a society where humans have achieved immortality and are able to manipulate matter and energy at will. However, Phaethon finds himself stripped of his memory and resources, shunned by his peers, and exiled from his utopian society. Determined to regain his identity and reputation, he sets out on a quest to discover the truth about his past and the society in which he lives.
This book is a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of themes such as identity, free will, and the limits of technology. Wright’s masterful world-building and intricate plot keep readers engaged from beginning to end, while his thought-provoking ideas and philosophical musings provide ample food for thought long after the final page is turned. Overall, The Phoenix Exultant is a remarkable work of science fiction that is not to be missed.
The Golden Transcendence: Or, The Last of the Masquerade (The Golden Age)
by John C. Wright
The Golden Transcendence by John C. Wright is the third and final installment of The Golden Age Trilogy. The story follows the adventures of Phaethon, a member of the post-human society, who is on a quest to discover the truth about himself and his world. Phaethon is on the trail of those who erased his memories and is determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
As he journeys across the galaxy, Phaethon must face many challenges and overcome countless obstacles. He meets a wide variety of characters, from humans to aliens, and must navigate treacherous political landscapes that threaten to derail his mission.
The novel is filled with philosophical musings on the nature of consciousness, identity, and the intricacies of society. Wright’s prose is rich and detailed, drawing the reader into a vividly imagined future world that is both fascinating and disturbing.
Overall, The Golden Transcendence is a compelling and thought-provoking conclusion to an epic science fiction series.
Star Wars: Legacy of the Force #1:
Betrayal
Word of warning: Neither Adam or Brian has read this book…yet… or even heard of it before scouring the internet for a quote related to “do the ends justify the means?” or something to that effect.
We’re not passing judgment on the book either way, and if anyone out there wants to discuss Betrayal (or this Star Wars canon that we aren’t particularly aware of), let us know.
Betrayal is the first book in the Star Wars: Legacy of the Force series by Aaron Allston. The story takes place ten years after the events of Return of the Jedi. Jacen Solo, the son of Han Solo and Princess Leia, has become a powerful Jedi Knight and is leading the fight against the remnants of the Galactic Empire.
However, there are dark forces at work. Jacen is troubled by a recurring dream that seems to be a vision of the future. Meanwhile, his cousin, Ben Skywalker, is training to become a Jedi Knight under the guidance of Jacen. When a deadly new weapon threatens the galaxy, Jacen and Ben set out to stop it. Along the way, they encounter old friends and enemies and uncover a sinister plot that threatens to tear the galaxy apart.
Betrayal is a thrilling and action-packed adventure that sets the stage for the rest of the Legacy of the Force series.
"Minarchism"
The Revolution: A Manifesto
by Ron Paul
The good doctor’s pitch for liberty as part of his several campaigns for the presidency.
Atlas Shrugged
by Ayn Rand
A powerful and emotional exploration of deep themes regarding the moral and economic case for freedom. A masterpiece.
Though she wrote copious non-fiction works, Rand’s last work of fiction is the best way to understand her deep and powerful conception of natural law.
Love her or hate her, her writing is extraordinarily powerful and must be reckoned with.
Anarchy, State, & Utopia
by Robert Nozick
A very thorough and persuasive argument from a well-known and main stream philosopher. Winner of the 1975 National Book Award!
Healing Our World in an Age of Aggression
by Mary Ruwart
If Rand and Paul seem a little too “right-wingy” for your tastes, check out Dr. Ruwart’s classic work, emphasizing the peace and harmony and abundance that spring from libertarianism.
"Anarcho-Capitalism"
Democracy – The God That Failed: The Economics and Politics of Monarchy, Democracy and Natural Order
by Hans-Hermann Hoppe
This brilliant book that contains (among many many other brilliant things) an argument about why monarchy (as bad as that is?) is preferable to “unfettered” democracy.
Privatization Of Roads And Highways: Human And Economic Factors
by Walter Block
Non-libertarians reflexively believe that many “public goods” such as roads cannot be provided (or cannot be sufficiently provided) by a free market. Block’s big book on the subject shows exactly how wrong-headed that belief is.
The Ethics of Anarcho-Capitalism
by Kristopher A. Borer
A modern “Robinson Crusoe” tale that brilliantly highlights the real-world contexts that give rise to interpersonal conflict – and how anarcho-capitalism ethically solves such conflicts.
The Problem of Political Authority: An Examination of the Right to Coerce and the Duty to Obey
by Michael Huemer
A devastating attack (from every conceivable angle) of statism. After reading it, you’re reflexive acquiescence of the existence (and morality) of state power will vanish.
Anatomy of the State
by Murray N. Rothbard
Rothbard, “Mr. Libertarian,” might be best known as an economist, but he was also a brilliant libertarian theorist.
Short and devastatingly powerful. You’ll never look at monopolistic government the same way again.
The Ethics of Liberty
by Murray N. Rothbard
with a new introduction by Hans-Hermann Hoppe
Rothbard, “Mr. Libertarian,” might be best known as an economist, but he was also a brilliant libertarian theorist.
In this work, Rothbard draws deeply from the past and constructs his own theory of natural law based not on edicts from some deity, but as something discovered by man’s mind in accordance with his (and the universe’s) nature.
Economics (with an "austrian" Flavor)
The Fatal Conceit: The Errors of Socialism
by F.A. Hayek
“The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design. To the naive mind that can conceive of order only as the product of deliberate arrangement, it may seem absurd that in complex conditions order, and adaptation to the unknown, can be achieved more effectively by decentralizing decisions and that a division of authority will actually extend the possibility of overall order. Yet that decentralization actually leads to more information being taken into account.”
Economics in One Lesson
by Henry Hazlitt
“No other modern book from which the intelligent layman can learn so much about the basic truths of economics in so short a time.”
~ F.A. Hayek
Choice: Cooperation, Enterprise, and Human Action
by Robert P. Murphy
Basically a modern, easier-to-read rephrasing of Ludwig von Mises’s classic treatise, Human Action. A masterpiece.
History
The White Pill: A Tale of Good and Evil
by Michael Malice
The Russian Revolution was as red as blood. The Bolsheviks promised that they were building a new society, a workers’ paradise that would change the nature of mankind itself. What they ended up constructing was the largest prison that the world had ever seen, a Union of Soviet Socialist Republics that spanned half the globe. It was a country where people’s lives meant nothing, less than nothing—and they knew it. But no matter what atrocity that the Soviets committed—the secret police, the torture chambers, the show trials, the labor camps and the mass starvation—there was always someone in the West rushing to justify their bloodshed. For decades it seemed perfectly obvious that the USSR wasn’t going anywhere—until it vanished from the face of the earth, gradually and then suddenly. This is the story of the rise and fall of that evil empire, and why it is so important for the good to never give up hope. This is the white pill.
33 Questions About American History You’re Not Supposed to Ask
by Thomas E. Woods, Jr.
This fun and brilliant read absolutely skewers popular misconceptions most people have about American history. Not to be missed!
Political Philosophy
Breaking Away: The Case for Secession, Radical Decentralization, and Smaller Polities
by Ryan McMaken
Breaking Away: The Case for Secession, Radical Decentralization, and Smaller Polities by Ryan McMaken is a comprehensive exploration of the concept of secession and its important role in promoting political decentralization. The book presents a persuasive argument for the value of smaller polities, which provide greater political freedom and innovation, promote better policy outcomes, and allow for a more responsive and accountable government.
McMaken’s analysis is rooted in the idea that secession is a natural right of people who are governed by a political entity that no longer serves their interests. This right, he argues, is essential for ensuring that political power is distributed in a way that reflects the preferences and needs of individuals and communities.
Overall, Breaking Away is a thought-provoking and informative read that challenges the conventional wisdom about the value of centralized political power. It offers a fresh and compelling perspective on the benefits of secession and decentralization, and makes a compelling case for why we should take these ideas seriously.
The Ethics of Liberty
by Murray N. Rothbard
with a new introduction by Hans-Hermann Hoppe
Rothbard, “Mr. Libertarian,” might be best known as an economist, but he was also a brilliant libertarian theorist.
In this work, Rothbard draws deeply from the past and constructs his own theory of natural law based not on edicts from some deity, but as something discovered by man’s mind in accordance with his (and the universe’s) nature.
Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense in 1776, a fiery pamphlet which quickly became a revolutionary sensation. In it, Paine argued passionately for American independence from Britain, eloquently attacking the idea of monarchy and calling for a democratic republic, a political system that would be by and for the people.
Paine’s writing was simple, straightforward, and accessible to everyday Americans, and the pamphlet’s wide distribution helped promote the revolutionary cause. His arguments also had a profound impact on American thinking about government in the years following the Revolution, influencing both the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the Constitution.
Common Sense was a significant document in the history of America, helping to galvanize a nation around the values of democracy, independence, and self-determination that continue to define the American identity to this day. Paine reminded us that it’s the people, not the crown or the ruling elite, who have the power to shape their own destiny.
Freedom’s Progress? A History of Political Thought
by Gerard Casey
The best history of the “rise and fall” of theories of individual liberty throughout man’s time on earth that we know about.
The question mark carries a lot of meaning in that title. Individual liberty is uncommon. It comes in fits and starts. Most importantly, it should never be taken for granted.
Miscellany
The Black Swan: Second Edition: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
A black swan is a highly improbable event with three principal characteristics: It is unpredictable; it carries a massive impact; and, after the fact, we concoct an explanation that makes it appear less random, and more predictable, than it was. The astonishing success of Google was a black swan; so was 9/11. For Nassim Nicholas Taleb, black swans underlie almost everything about our world, from the rise of religions to events in our own personal lives.
Why do we not acknowledge the phenomenon of black swans until after they occur? Part of the answer, according to Taleb, is that humans are hardwired to learn specifics when they should be focused on generalities. We concentrate on things we already know and time and time again fail to take into consideration what we don’t know. We are, therefore, unable to truly estimate opportunities, too vulnerable to the impulse to simplify, narrate, and categorize, and not open enough to rewarding those who can imagine the “impossible.”
For years, Taleb has studied how we fool ourselves into thinking we know more than we actually do. We restrict our thinking to the irrelevant and inconsequential, while large events continue to surprise us and shape our world. In this revelatory book, Taleb explains everything we know about what we don’t know, and this second edition features a new philosophical and empirical essay, “On Robustness and Fragility,” which offers tools to navigate and exploit a Black Swan world.
Elegant, startling, and universal in its applications, The Black Swan will change the way you look at the world. Taleb is a vastly entertaining writer, with wit, irreverence, and unusual stories to tell. He has a polymathic command of subjects ranging from cognitive science to business to probability theory. The Black Swan is a landmark book—itself a black swan.
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit
by Michael Finkel
The Stranger in the Woods is an extraordinary story that gives readers a glimpse into the life of a true hermit. Christopher Knight lived alone in the woods of Maine for nearly three decades, avoiding all human contact and surviving only on what he could scavenge.
Michael Finkel’s book tells Knight’s story through interviews with him and those who knew him before and after his disappearance.
We wrote briefly about the book in one of our daily emails.
On Intelligence: How a New Understanding of the Brain Will Lead to the Creation of Truly Intelligent Machines
by Jeff Hawkins with Sandra Blakeslee
From Amazon:
Jeff Hawkins, the man who created the PalmPilot, Treo smart phone, and other handheld devices, has reshaped our relationship to computers. Now he stands ready to revolutionize both neuroscience and computing in one stroke, with a new understanding of intelligence itself.
Hawkins develops a powerful theory of how the human brain works, explaining why computers are not intelligent and how, based on this new theory, we can finally build intelligent machines.
The brain is not a computer, but a memory system that stores experiences in a way that reflects the true structure of the world, remembering sequences of events and their nested relationships and making predictions based on those memories. It is this memory-prediction system that forms the basis of intelligence, perception, creativity, and even consciousness.
In an engaging style that will captivate audiences from the merely curious to the professional scientist, Hawkins shows how a clear understanding of how the brain works will make it possible for us to build intelligent machines, in silicon, that will exceed our human ability in surprising ways.
Written with acclaimed science writer Sandra Blakeslee, On Intelligence promises to completely transfigure the possibilities of the technology age. It is a landmark book in its scope and clarity.
