A Short History of Man

Progress and Decline

By: Hans-Hermann Hoppe

Narrated by: Millian Quinteros

A Short History of Man: Progress and Decline represents nothing less than a sweeping revisionist history of mankind, in a concise and listenable volume. Dr. Hans-Hermann Hoppe skillfully weaves history, sociology, ethics, and Misesian praxeology to present an alternative - and highly challenging - view of human economic development over the ages.

As always, Dr. Hoppe addresses the fundamental questions as only he can. How do family and social bonds develop? Why is the concept of private property so vitally important to human flourishing? What made the leap from a Malthusian subsistence society to an industrial society possible? How did we devolve from aristocracy to monarchy to social democratic welfare states? And how did modern central governments become the all-powerful rulers over nearly every aspect of our lives?

Dr. Hoppe examines and answers all of these often thorny questions without resorting to platitudes or bowdlerized history. This is Hoppe at his best: calmly and methodically skewering sacred cows.

©2015 Ludwig von Mises Institute (P)2016 Ludwig von Mises Institute

Brief and Concise

The title of this book reveals that it is not meant to be expansive. Nevertheless, Dr. Hoppe does ably cover the material found herein. We come away with the realization that mankind thinks he does well when he embraces democracy. Unfortunately when he does so, he has actually embraced yet another form of tyranny.

Millian Quinteros seems to be a bit hurried as he reads the text. But, I nevertheless appreciate the fact that he did read it!

Well worth the time

Incredible piece of work. Well worth the time to losten or read. I learned more in a few hours a semester of history.

Slow but interesting

Another great book by HHH. Slow but still very interesting and compelling arguments. Would highly recommend, although it is dry at times

Very good book

Hoppe always give very nice arguments.
Thee book is small but very precise. In other books, Hoppe explores in detail many things he mentioned in this book.

A good general overview

Consistent with other Austrian historical works , primarily Mises/Rothbard. Good starting read If familiar. with marginalism, basic Praxeology, time preference, and Austrian Business Cycle Theory.