A classic in economic thought, this book is one of the best teachers of economic analysis available. Originally published in 1946, and revised and republished in 1979, Henry Hazlitt does and excellent job of explaining difficult concepts in a very understandable manner. Hazlitt explains why free markets work. This is an excellent book for any student of economics. This book can be read online at: http://www.hacer.org/pdf/Hazlitt00.pdf This book is also available in audio format. http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp

In the tradition of Henry Hazlitt, F.A. Hayek and Milton Friedman, Thomas Sowell give a clear easy to understand tutorial on basic economic principles without pulling his punches. This is also available in audio format and is a great tool for students of economics. http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp

The greatest economist of the 20th Century, F. A. Hayek explains why centrally planned economies inevitably lead to a loss of freedom. Like Adam Smith, Hayek understood that the free market system is more than an efficient way to produce and distribute goods, but rather that it is a system of liberty.

Do you ever wonder why some parts of the world is peaceful, prosperous and free, while other parts of the world offer only a Hobbesian existence in which life is "nasty, brutish and short." Thomas P. M. Barnett explains this dichotomy, and explains what the United States should do to bring this Hobbesian world, which he calls the "Gap" into the family of successful nations. Barnett also shares his ideas on his excellent website. http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com

Mark Skousen takes his readers on a journey of ideas, and the life stories of the economists who developed these ideas. This is a great resource from both students and teachers of economics. The reader will come away with an understanding of economic ideas and the history, which gave rise to each idea. This book is also available in audio format. http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp

P. J O'Rourke will make you laugh while you learn. He travels to several countries trying to answer Adam Smith's famous question: "Why are some nations rich and others are not?" He is serious about the question, but has fun discovering the answer. He concludes that there are several important factors, but argues that the rule of law is the single most important factor underlying a nations success. This book is also available in audio format. http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp

This booked discusses the latest ideas in "Network" theory. It also accurately points out that the economy is actually a network, and rules that apply to a network like the Internet also apply to the economy. Have you ever wondered if inequality in income must be a characteristic of a successful economy? You will find part of the answer here. No network can function without a few major hubs. This book is also available in audio format. http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp

Why are are free markets superior to other economic systems? Why are democracies more successful than other forms of government? This book explains the mathematical logic behind the power of our free institutions. It is also filled with amazing stories, which illustrate the wisdom of crowds. This book is also available in audio format. http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp

George Gilder is one of those rare individuals, who can see the connections between seemingly diverse parts of life. He skillfully ties trends in technology to economics, religion, philosophy and the meaning of life. He will take you on a journey through quantum physics, the development of the modern computer and their implications for our economy and the freedom of the human spirit. If you love to look at the big picture you will love this book. While it was published in 1989, you will be amazed at Gilder's clear vision of the future. This book is also available in audio format. http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp

This is George Gilder's update of Microcosm. In this book he focuses on developments in fiber optics, the Internet, and a world in which broad-band communication is virtually free. As he does in Microcosm, Gilder ties together seemingly diverse ideas into a seamless whole. This book is also available in audio format. http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the history of money and the use of monetary policy. Milton Friedman clearly explains the connection between monetary and fiscal policy. He dispels the myth so often learned by students of economics that monetary and fiscal policy are separate and distinct things. This book is also available in audio format. http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp

Are you interested in globalization? Do you want to no more about the forces shaping our world? This is the book for you. Thomas Friedman knows how to tell a story and connect it to the big picture. This book is also available in audio format. http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp

There is no better book for an understanding of the ideas and history that shaped the 20th Century. From the first era of globalization, through two world wars, the Cold War and back to globalization you will see how the ideas of Marx, Keynes and Hayek shaped the 20th Century and the world in which we live today. There is also an accompanying PBS documentary and website. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/lo/index.html

The famous Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto explains why capitalism has been so successful in the west, but it has failed in the third world. De Soto concludes that law, and property rights in particular, are critical to the success of free markets. This book is a critical idea book for any student of law or economics. Hernando de Soto also heads the Institute for Liberty and Democracy (ILD). http://www.ild.org.pe/ 

Virginia Postrel explains why the old labels of conservative and liberal no longer apply. In today's world the meaningful distinction is between those who are afraid of the future and those who embrace it. If you can't wait to see what is coming next, this book is for you.

Tom Friedman updates the Lexus and the Olive Tree with "The World is Flat." This is a great book for understanding today's globalized economy. It is fun, entertaining and will take you on a tour of the world that you will not forget. 

The World's populations growth will soon peak and start to decline. What does this new reality of declining populations mean for the world? What will its effects be on economic growth, retirement programs and the burden on younger workers? This dramatic change will have profound implications for the world, but few people understand that this change is on the horizon and even fewer people understand its implications.   

In its 800 plus pages, this book details to brutality of communism. Originally a best seller in France, this book has been translated into English and reveals the 100 million victims of this hellish ideology. From Stalin to Mao, from Castro to Pol Pot, the piles of bodies never stopped mounting as communist trumpeted a message of a better world to come. Only after the Iron Curtain fell, could the truth be documented. In the amazing book, several French scholars now tell the true story of communism.

John Stossel tells his own personal story as a reporter. But more than just war stories, he tells the story of his own personal intellectual journey from an advocate of more government to protect us from every danger to a realization to most of the time free markets do this better. While telling his story he also effectively explains many basic economic concepts.

Over the last 25 years, the United States and many continental European countries have taken very different economic paths. Economic growth in the United States has averaged more than 3% per year, while countries like Germany, France and Italy have struggled to reach 1% per year. In addition, the unemployment rates of these European countries are more than double the unemployment rate in the United States. This book explores the differences in these economic models and explains why the U.S. races ahead, while Europe stagnates.