David Gordon (4)

The Essential Rothbard is at once a biography, a study of economics, history, politics and liberty, and a look into the mind of Murray Rothbard. There is so much material in the book that a thorough review would take almost as many words as the 184 pages of the book itself. Gordon has found an effective way of organizing his report by taking subject areas one at a time.

After a brief biographic introduction he exposes us to Rothbard as an Economist, a Monetary Theorist, an Economic Historian, an American History scholar, an Ethicist, a Political theorist, and a Libertarian or Anarchistic activist. He presents and backs up his walk through a genius by extensive quotes to his published and unpublished works. Gordon had extensive access to Rothbard’s correspondence and notes maintained by several organizations, and used it well. He includes a complete 54 page bibliography of Rothbard’s works and articles.

I could hope to give a recommendation worthy of the scholarship involved in this summary of Rothbard’s thought, work, life, and influence, but only a one word summary emerges… WOW! For those with an interest in Rothbard or his work, this is a must read.… (meer)