Kindle
$2.99
Available instantly
Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Paperback
$12.95
Kindle Price: $2.99

Save $9.51 (76%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $12.25

Save: $9.26 (76%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.

Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Walter Block
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Defending the Undefendable (LvMI) Kindle Edition

by Walter Block (Author), Murray N. Rothbard (Foreword), F.A. Hayek (Preface) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 197 ratings
See all formats and editions
Professor Block's book is among the most famous of the great defenses of victimless crimes and controversial economic practices, from profiteering and gouging to bribery and blackmail. However, beneath the surface, this book is also an outstanding work of microeconomic theory that explains the workings of economic forces in everyday events and affairs.

Murray Rothbard explains why:

"Defending the Undefendable performs the service of highlighting, in the fullest and starkest terms, the essential nature of the productive services performed by all people in the free market. By taking the most extreme examples and showing how the Smithian principles work even in these cases, the book does far more to demonstrate the workability and morality of the free market than a dozen sober tomes on more respectable industries and activities. By testing and proving the extreme cases, he all the more illustrates and vindicates the theory."

F.A. Hayek agreed, writing the author as follows:

"Looking through Defending the Undefendable made me feel that I was once more exposed to the shock therapy by which, more than fifty years ago, the late Ludwig von Mises converted me to a consistent free market position. Even now I am occasionally at first incredulous and feel that 'this is going too far,' but usually find in the end that you are right. Some may find it too strong a medicine, but it will still do them good even if they hate it. A real understanding of economics demands that one disabuses oneself of many dear prejudices and illusions. Popular fallacies in economics frequently express themselves in unfounded prejudices against other occupations, and in showing the falsity of these stereotypes you are doing a real service, although you will not make yourself more popular with the majority."

To search for Mises Institute titles, enter a keyword and LvMI (short for Ludwig von Mises Institute); e.g., Depression LvMI
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    282 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 29, 2011
  4. File size
    3495 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004UHO0P0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ludwig von Mises Institute (March 29, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 29, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3495 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 282 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 197 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Walter Block

Walter Block

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
197 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book readable, succinct, and concise. They describe it as entertaining, interesting, and enjoyable. Opinions are mixed on the logic, with some finding it rational and solid, while others say it's unconvincing and plagued with weak arguments.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityHumorLibertarian philosophyLogic
18 customers mention "Readability"15 positive3 negative

Customers find the book readable, succinct, and concise. They also say the author is wonderful and easy to read. Readers mention the book is brilliant and laid out well.

"...I won't give it away here, but it is brilliant and was laid out well...." Read more

"...Still, this book is a terrific read for anyone interested for a fun read on free market economics." Read more

"...of unconventional thinking, but I think that while some of the individual essays are great, A+ worthy, I'd call the book itself no more than a B-." Read more

"...Professor Block says it with logic, clarity, succinctness, and humor." Read more

15 customers mention "Humor"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the humor in the book entertaining and hilarious at times. They say it's an enjoyable read that makes them think and rethink their paradigms.

"...If you want to read an entertaining, politically incorrect book that really makes you open your mind, read "Defending the Undefendable" by Walter..." Read more

"This book is a good refresher (or introduction) on some very basic economic principles, applied to many of society's scorned, including prostitutes,..." Read more

"Very enjoyable read, if the Defending the undefendable II were available in kindle format, I would also buy/read it...." Read more

"...Professor Block says it with logic, clarity, succinctness, and humor." Read more

4 customers mention "Libertarian philosophy"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book valuable and say it makes the principled case for freedom. They also say it's a must-read for lovers of liberty.

"...This is a must read for all lovers of liberty...." Read more

"...That said, it is an enjoyable read, and an excellent intro to libertarian philosophy." Read more

"...What makes it such a valuable read on Libertarianism?..." Read more

"Great case for freedom, helps you think like an economist, and makes the principled case for freedom." Read more

15 customers mention "Logic"9 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the logic in the book. Some mention it's rational, systematic, and convincingly argued in most cases. However, others say some chapters are plagued with weak arguments and flawed logic.

"...very entertaining (okay, hilarious at times), and it is convincingly argued in most cases...." Read more

"This book was, in a word, terrible. I bought this today, and read it in the span of an hour, and ended wishing I could get that hour back...." Read more

"...He is extremely clear-headed and analytical, and always very good at getting to the essence of a problem or issue...." Read more

"An absolute must read. This book is the most rational, systematic refutation of the common misconceptions about various members of society...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

A. W. Holtzapple
5.0 out of 5 stars A book to open your mind...
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2012
Verified Purchase
In this unique book, economics professor Walter Block defends people who follow controversial practices. Each chapter is devoted to a different type of person - most of whom the average American would consider the lowest of the low. Pimps, drug pushers, blackmailers, ticket scalpers, dishonest cops, slumlords, litterers, fat capitalist pigs, and child labor employers to name a few of the more than 30 practices discussed in this book.

After reading "Defending", one is not meant to come away with a new found appreciation for sex workers, outlaws or cheats, it is merely a book meant to make you think - and it does just that. It is meant to release you from the bonds of mainstream thinking and get you to open your mind and ask yourself, "why is this practice so bad?" It teaches you to think for yourself and how to stand up and defend your own positions. After reading this book I came away with a great respect for Dr. Block because through his book I had received a great lesson in critical thinking.

If you want to read an entertaining, politically incorrect book that really makes you open your mind, read "Defending the Undefendable" by Walter Block. Regardless of your opinion of the practices discussed within its pages you will find yourself enjoying its contents immensely.
13 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Spencer Corwin
5.0 out of 5 stars Shock therapy for libertarian thought
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
For a someone who is well versed in libertarian thought then there's not much that will shock you in this book. But there are still brilliant nuggets that even I had never heard before. The best example was the last chapter where Block applies libertarian homesteading theory to the question of: when does a child become an adult in the libertarian view? I won't give it away here, but it is brilliant and was laid out well. If you are not a libertarian but want to here the libertarian defense of things that you would think are utterly undefendable, then look no further. This is the shock therapy you are looking for and it very well may open up your mind.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
C Hoffmann
4.0 out of 5 stars Cleverly argued, often funny.
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book is a good refresher (or introduction) on some very basic economic principles, applied to many of society's scorned, including prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers, heroin addicts, blackmailers, gypsy cab drivers, counterfeiters, misers, slumlords, profiteers, and strip miners, fat capitalist pig employers etc....

The author makes a strong case that:
1. Free markets will eliminate much of the negative societal effects of the above pariahs, and
2. Much of the negativity associated with said pariahs should actually be blamed on the state attempts at market intervention.

He labels them heroes for bearing the scorn of society, fighting state attempts at coercion, and providing services that benefit society in ways that society fails to see.

This book is very entertaining (okay, hilarious at times), and it is convincingly argued in most cases. But a few chapters were plagued with weak arguments that detracted from the book. For example, in his defense of litterbugs, the author states correctly that private businesses don 't have a litter problem. He suggests that if sidewalks and parks were privately owned, the litter problem would be solved by profit-driven entrepreneurs having financial incentives to pick up after their guests. He offers no helpful suggestions on how private ownership of sidewalks would be feasible. The chapter on yelling fire in a crowded theater was also unconvincing. His argument starts out strong, with the point that entrepreneurs utilizing a market contract system will be more efficient than government at securing safety on their own private property. But he blows his argument by suggesting that some entrepreneurs might prefer to cater to sado-masochists who enjoy having their shows interrupted, and as long as they advertised their intention to allow disruptions, ordinary people should respect the right of these sado-masochists to have their place. He might have just been being funny since he does pull off hilarious points elsewhere in the book with skill.

Still, this book is a terrific read for anyone interested for a fun read on free market economics.
9 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
sparrowhawk
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all lovers of liberty.
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2010
Verified Purchase
A little dated in places (for example, a NYC cab Medallion now costs over $100,000 versus $30,000 when this was written) but still completely relevant today. In fact, I would argue that it is even more relevant today than when it was written, considering all the personal liberties that have been lost in this country in the last decade. This is a must read for all lovers of liberty. It is guaranteed to open your ideas to a more logical way of thinking about freedom and economics and the relationship between them, and it will remove the veils from your eyes that have been placed there by decades of cultural and governmental conditioning.
7 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
timothylord
3.0 out of 5 stars Fun, decent, but may not send too many minds on fire ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2014
Verified Purchase
As with Blocks "The Case for Discrimination," I like the general attitude (live and let live, and seek reasons for "undesirable" business practices or roles, uncover hypocrisy in criticism), but not sure there's much gained in reading *all* of these essays -- smaller marginal returns ;) (Also, some of them feel pretty forced -- I'm thinking of the defense of drug dealers per se -- and it almost feels like an exercise that Block doing.)

I would leave it around to be read, and hope it might influence some re-thinking by people who who never otherwise see some of these bit of unconventional thinking, but I think that while some of the individual essays are great, A+ worthy, I'd call the book itself no more than a B-.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
ARTURO
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
Reviewed in Mexico on February 7, 2024
Verified Purchase
Excelente libro y la discusion que establece.
Report
joe
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on February 9, 2018
Verified Purchase
What a great read this book is..goes a long way to eliminating judgement.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Emir Catovic
5.0 out of 5 stars Controversial, but logical. Read it
Reviewed in Australia on October 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. it will challenge you in so many ways but it's never illogical. A must read for Libertarians
Report
Peter
5.0 out of 5 stars Book size TOO large
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 8, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is not a review of the book itself (hence 5 stars to keep the rating unchanged).

As a warning to other potential buyers, when it says large print, it is not joking. Admittedly I did not notice that it was mentioned in the product description. That said, it basically makes the book unreadable for me as my only opportunity to read is on the train. Regardless of the content, the book is therefore destined for the bin.
One person found this helpful
 Report
M T.
5.0 out of 5 stars Truthful with the economical
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great book explaining the usefulness and validity of people on the fringes of the economy. Ticket touts, prostitutes, and pimps are just three that stuck in my mind, but there are man more. Very interesting way to explore economic models.
One person found this helpful
 Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report