Economics in One Lesson

By: Henry Hazlitt

Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

A million-copy seller, Henry Hazlitt’s Economics in One Lesson is a classic economic primer. But it is also much more, having become a fundamental influence on modern “libertarian” economics of the type espoused by Ron Paul and others. Called by H. L. Mencken “one of the few economists in history who could really write,” Henry Hazlitt achieved lasting fame for this brilliant but concise work. In it, he explains basic truths about economics and the economic fallacies responsible for unemployment, inflation, high taxes, and recession, as well as illustrating the destructive effects of taxes, rent and price controls, inflation, trade restrictions, and minimum-wage laws.

Economics in One Lesson is deceptively prescient and far-reaching in its efforts to dissemble economic fallacies that are so prevalent they have almost become a new orthodoxy. Many current economic commentators across the political spectrum have credited Hazlitt with foreseeing the collapse of the global economy, which occurred more than fifty years after the initial publication of this seminal work. Hazlitt’s focus on non-governmental solutions, strong—and strongly reasoned—antideficit position, and general emphasis on free markets, economic liberty of individuals, and the dangers of government intervention make Economics in One Lesson every bit as relevant and valuable today as it has been since publication.

©1962, 1979 by Henry Hazlitt (P)1996 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"If there were a Nobel Prize for clear economic thinking, Mr. Hazlitt's book would be a worthy recipient...like a surgeon's scalpel, it cuts through...much nonsense that has been written in recent years about our economic ailments." (J.W. Hanes, former Undersecretary of the Treasury)

A must!!!

Everybody must read this book!
Excellent and clear, gives the reader the basic notions to understand economic discussions.

A must read for all

Everyone in the world should begin their understanding of economics with this book. Amazing. I recommend it especially to all economics or finance students.

Should be required reading

This book should be required reading by every high school student. Also by every person seeking political office.

"It sounds simple when you say it that way..."

The next time a politician tries to sell you a boondoggle in the name of "job creation," you'll be ready to call "shenanigans" for having read this book.

Short version, when considering economic policies, stop focusing attention only on the particular and the short-term. Oh, and be honest about the real impact on the particular and short-term, while you're at it, as it often isn't nearly the boon protectionists, panderers and labor bosses claim it to be.

When all factors are considered, the economy nearly always suffers net harm by policies that prop up inefficient and uncompetitive industries.

Regarding the book, I found it engaging and eye-opening. I whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone as a quick primer on the underlying thinking that has turned us into a culture of debtors.

Still great

Touches on many of the key issues of economics in a concise manner. A great into into Austrian economics. Such a great pity the lesson seems so far from learnt today

All about the indirect consequences.

This is a wonderful book that gives the reader the ability to think properly when it comes to economics. Common misconceptions of economics by the mainstream are pointed out here in that these flaws are largely created by focusing on the direct rather than the indirect. This book will will help you understand that the economy has to work for everyone.

Relevant After 75 Years

This is a quick explanation of economics and politics. It's not a long treatise, but a concise look at the problem of government intervention into the economy. If you are new to economics, this is a great first book to read. This is much easier to read than Rothbard or Mises. This is less dense than Sowell"s Basic Economics (another great book).

This book explains everything that is going wrong with the economy today. He predicted 2008 in 1946. He explains the inflation of 2021. This is a must read.

Frightening consequences!

Without explicitly intending to do so, Hazlitt had become like a prophet of old--Noah, to be more precise--with a voice of warning about imminent danger and impending doom. While describing economics in a reasonably comprehensible manner, he also describes consequences of ignoring sound economic principles. It will take any reader/listener very little time to recognize his own governing representatives as being among those contributing to the personal and societal decline of "true wealth" for everyday people.

The content can get a little technical at times, and Riggenbach's tone can get a little stale at times, but the overall "lesson" is riveting and--along with a thorough study of the Constitution in a government/civics course--a thorough study of this text in an economics course should be mandatory for anyone attempting to earn a high school diploma in the USA.

Informative and dence

This book was extremely well researched. Much of it's concepts are still relevant today.

An Amazing Lesson!

What an Amazing Lesson! In about 6 hours this book can explain most of the problems and potential solutions to our economic problem. This should be a required reading for ALL elected officials!