I just received (as in 20 minutes ago) a giant package in the mail with The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism published in 2008 by Sage and Cato, and edited by Ronald Hamowy with more contributors than I can possibly list (but they include many writers for Mises.org).
I must say that I’m completely blown away by it. It is 620 pages in a 2-column format, and the first glance shows that it is stunningly comprehensive and useful.
I turned first to Mises (by Leland Yeager) and it is an outstanding article. Then I turned to Rothbard (by Brian Doherty). Again, outstanding. Then Carl Menger (Lawrence White). Same. Then I began to look for more figures (Nock, check; Tracy, check; Chodorov, check; Garrett, missed) and again, incredibly comprehensive and helpful in general.
It must have been a managerial nightmare to put together, and my hat is off to Cato for managing what strikes me as an impossible feat. This book is a triumph, many times over.
Now, it is possible and even likely that it includes some unfortunate material but the question I have to ask is whether its existence is a net plus, even supposing some less-than-stellar articles (which I haven’t found). The answer is undeniable: a rousing yes. Even at $125, yes.
I surely hope that someone somewhere is working to create an online version, even a full website for this massive treatise. It surely deserves it.
{ 8 comments }
Yep, I have a copy. Cost me £70, had it shipped from the states. A really great book, but sometimes it seems to be a bit critical of the Austrian perspective on libertarianism, favouring the Chicago school outlook. Not a surprise, given its publisher.
But it really is a joy to read.Sometimes I like to open a random page, and read whatever entry I happen to land on.
“I surely hope that someone somewhere is working to create an online version, even a full website for this massive treatise. It surely deserves it. ”
Jefferey, we’ve been wanting to do this. Why not have something like this here at mises.org? An online encyclopedia.
I have long wanted to see an encyclopedic history of government intervention, coercion and war. Would be both useful and awe-inspiring. Maybe we could do a wiki?
It certainly looks fantastic but the price is a bit prohibitive. Any chance of putting an eBook version up for sale? If i could get a copy for around £30-40 i’d snap one up asap.
For about $6 used, including s/h, Jim Powell’s “The Triumph of Liberty: A 2,000 Year History Told Through the Lives of Freedom’s Greatest Champions” might be the best history bargain around
There are only two things of importance when in the book store business. The first is access to books, the second is marketing. All the rest is just cost control.
You may replace the term ‘book store’ and ‘books’ for whatever business and commodity you choose.
See, I just saved you the cost of dozens of books!
Currently $85.53 at Amazon.
Just curious, since LvMI says IP is illegitimate, would it be ethical for you to scan and post this book to the Mises.org servers?
NB: I did not ask if it would be legal; just whether or not it would be ethical.
Comments on this entry are closed.