The Libertarian Reader: Classic and Contemporary Writings from Lao Tzu to Milton Friedman [Paperback]

David Boaz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 1998

The first collection of seminal writings on a movement that is rapidly changing the face of American politics, The Libertarian Reader links some of the most fertile minds of our time to a centuries-old commitment to freedom, self-determination, and opposition to intrusive government. A movement that today counts among its supporters Steve Forbes, Nat Hentoff, and P.J. O'Rourke, libertarianism joins a continuous thread of political reason running throughout history.

Writing in 1995 about the large numbers of Americans who say they'd welcome a third party, David Broder of The Washington Post commented, "The distinguishing characteristic of these potential independent voters—aside from their disillusionment with Washington politicians of both parties—is their libertarian streak. They are skeptical of the Democrats because they identify them with big government. They are wary of the Republicans because of the growing influence within the GOP of the religious right."

In The Libertarian Reader, David Boaz has gathered the writers and works that represent the building blocks of libertarianism. These individuals have spoken out for the basic freedoms that have made possible the flowering of spiritual, moral, and economic life. For all independent thinkers, this unique sourcebook will stand as a classic reference for years to come, and a reminder that libertarianism is one of our oldest and most venerable American traditions.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Conceived as the companion volume to David Boaz's Libertarianism, this anthology comprising the likes of Lao-tzu and Milton Friedman is a treasure trove. That's because libertarianism touches on such important issues as the nature and extent of individual rights, the proper powers of government, and the virtues and shortcomings of the marketplace, and besides, it has tempted many of history's best minds. Pound for pound, the most impressive piece of reasoning here is philosopher Robert Nozick's attempt to defend a "minimal state, limited to the narrow functions of protection against force, theft, [and] fraud, [and] enforcement of contracts" and the view "that any more extensive state will violate persons' rights not to be forced to do certain things." Still, I wonder if Nozick has always turned down federal research grants and has always refused to pay income taxes, and if he hasn't, why not? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

David Boaz is Executive Vice President of the Cato Institute, described by Rolling Stone as "the hottest thinktank in Washington." He is the author of Libertarianism: A Primer. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. He lives in Washington, D.C.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Free Press; 1st Pbk. Ed edition (February 4, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684847671
• ISBN-13: 978-0684847672
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > History > Asia > Laos

More About the Author

David Boaz is the executive vice president of the Cato Institute. He has played a key role in the development of the libertarian movement. He is the author of "Libertarianism: A Primer," described by the Los Angeles Times as "a well-researched manifesto of libertarian ideas," and of "The Politics of Freedom"; and the editor of "The Libertarian Reader," the "Cato Handbook For Policymakers," "Liberating Schools," "The Crisis in Drug Prohibition," and other books. His articles have been published in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, National Review, and Slate. He is a frequent guest on national television and radio shows, and has appeared on "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," "Crossfire," Bill Buckley's "Firing Line," NPR's "Talk of the Nation" and "All Things Considered," "John McLaughlin's One on One," Fox News Channel, BBC, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and other media. He is a popular speaker on college campuses and at corporate and community events.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A collection of libertarian thought and philosophy, March 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The LIBERTARIAN READER: Classic & Contemporary Writings from Lao-Tzu to Milton Friedman (Hardcover)

For years now, I have been collecting an assortment of my favorite essays in a handful of binders. Photocopys, internet downloads, you name it. When I came upon a particularly good essay that captured my political philosophy, I stuffed it into my little binder.

I always wondered: why doesn't somebody take this collection of essays and put them into a book?

Well, David Boaz has apparently beaten me to it in his collection of libertarian thought and philosophy, The Libertarian Reader. Not only are many of my favorite essays here, but a couple more that I've never read before. (Apparently, Mr. Boaz has been collecting essays longer than I have.)

This book is essential for a number of reasons. For the curious, The Libertarian Reader offers an introduction to the ideas of free markets, private property rights, and individual rights and freedoms. For the veteran, The Libertarian Reader puts a nice hardbound cover on years of ideas, allowing people like me to throw away the old mangled binders of paper.

The essays in The Libertarian Reader are brief and concise. For people looking for a quick introduction to the libertarian thoughts, each individual essay can easily be read in 15-minute sittings. Some of the biggest names in history, literature and economics are included here, including Ayn Rand, Thomas Jefferson, John Stuart Mill, Frederick Douglas and Adam Smith.

Whether you're new to libertarian ideas, or an old veteran of liberty, The Libertarian Reader, and the companion book, Libertarianism: A Primer, also by David Boaz, are must reads for political junkies and lovers of freedom everywhere.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Addition to Any Political Science Library, March 15, 2004

By 

Timothy Walker (Orlando, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Libertarian Reader: Classic and Contemporary Writings from Lao Tzu to Milton Friedman (Paperback)

If you are looking for a quick introduction to the principles and practices of the Libertarian Party, avoid this book; a good search engine and some basic research skills are all you need. If instead you're searching for a deeper understanding of the philosophy of liberty, then I can suggest no better starting point.

The book itself is a collection of short essays from a wide range of contributors to the libertarian tradition, from political economists and philosophers (such as Locke, Mill, and Adam Smith) to some perhaps more surprising sources (like the Old Testament and the Tao Teh Ching). These essays are grouped around broad themes - "individual rights", "free markets", "skepticism about power" - certainly a boon to students, but also an aid to the casual reader. Should a particular topic or thinker pique your interest, a lengthy essay called "The Literature of Liberty" catalogs the sources as it closes the book.

Whether reading this book will convince you to join the Libertarian Party, or send money to the Cato Institute, is a matter open to debate; indeed, some critics rightly point out elements of "big L" Libertarianism that are at odds with "small l" classical liberal thought. My own hope is that reading these essays will give you not only a better understanding of the founder's intent, but also a clearer vision of a better possible future - a freer, saner world. How we get there, if we get there, remains to be seen.

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Signpost I Was Looking For, December 22, 1999

By 

Stephen B. Cobb "Shameless Reductionist" (Nashua, New Hampshire, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The LIBERTARIAN READER: Classic & Contemporary Writings from Lao-Tzu to Milton Friedman (Hardcover)

A couple of years ago I got interested in libertarianism and had to scrounge for a reading list. Where to get started? Then this book came out, exactly what I had been looking for. While one might quibble about the choice of authors (e.g. I would have preferred P.J O'Rourke or Dave Barry over the humorless Ayn Rand), it is obviously impossible to put in one volume all the great libertarian thinkers, let alone all the great works. This book does an excellent job, and includes in an appendix a list of further recommended reading for which there wasn't room. This was the signpost that I needed, and I still refer to it frequently. The companion volume, The Libertarian Primer, of which Boaz is author rather than editor, is also good and an easier read

That it came out so late (1997) reflects libertarians' tendency to arrogance, underestimating the need to market their abstract product and educate the populace. The Cato Institute, of which Boaz is vice president, is now rapidly making up for lost time.