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THE DISMAL SCIENTIST

Suggestions by Joseph O'Malley

    To get a good understanding of Economics, the place to turn is Basic Economics: A Citizens Guide to the Economy, Revised and Expanded  and Applied Economics: Thinking Beyond Stage One  both by Thomas Sowell.


    If you are looking for a deeper understanding of economics and the history of economic thought, there is no better place to start, than the classics:

Adam Smith  --  This is the one to start with.  First published in 1776, the language is a bit archaic, so it takes a little more effort to read, but it is well worth it.  --  Wealth of Nations

If you would prefer a hardcover edition (this is one that is well worth keeping on your bookshelf)  An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations .  Now, if like me, you rather enjoy the somewhat archaic language, you might be interested in:  The Theory of Moral Sentiments

David Ricardo  --  Strangely enough, not related to Ricky or Lucy.  Ricardo introduced the concept that equilibrium could be taken for granted.  Over the course of time this led to all kinds of "interesting" results.  A contemporary of Thomas Malthus, of population theory fame, the equilibrium problem was pointed out to Ricardo by Mathus.  Unfortunately,  clergyman Tom was no match for lawyer Dave, and the rest is, as they say, history.  --  Principles of Political Economy and Taxation

Karl Marx  --  While now totally discredited, it is hard to overestimate the impact Marx had on the course of history.  From International Socialism (i.e. Communism) to the National Socialism of Germany, Marx provided the framework for economic analysis.  Mark took Ricardo's error and really "ran with it."  From Stalin to Mussolini to Pol Pot, the theories of Marx seem to appeal to the truly most evil among us.  If you read either of these you will know more Marx than most contemporary Marxists!  --  The Communist Manifesto   or  Das Kapital: A Critique of Political Economy

John Maynard Keynes  --  If only Lord Keynes had called his landmark book  "The Special Theory of Employment, Interest and Money."  Keynes broke free of the equilibrium error.  Unfortunately, almost all of those who came to be called "Keynesian" jumped right back into it.  If you have only been exposed to so-called Keynesian analysis, you should find Keynes himself very enlightening.  --   The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money

F. A. Hayek  --  The masterpiece that many would call prophetic.  --  The Road to Serfdom

Milton Friedman  --  The gold standard (no pun intended) in modern economics Milton Friedman's  Capitalism and Freedom  should not be missed. On the other had if you are looking for something a little less challenging give Free to Choose: A Personal Statement  a look.


        

     

   


OTHER

    
You may have seen it on the cover of the January 2005 Mensa Bulletin:  The Know-It-All : One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World was given to me by my boss for Christmas (or "early winter holiday type event" if you must).  If you ever considered reading the Encyclopaedia Britannica cover to cover, A. J. Jacobs may inspire you, or give you a reason why that may not be such a great idea.  Either way this book is a hoot and a half.  Not to be missed is the section on A. J. joining Mensa, that of course, you will find under the letter "D" (if you took the test you will know why). 

P. J. O'Rourke may have said it best with "The Know-It-All is a terrific book.  It's a lot shorter than the encyclopedia, and funnier, and you'll remember more of it.  Plus, if it falls off the shelf onto your head, you'll live."







    Interested in Science Fiction?  How about Frank Herbert's classic:  Dune .  The next two books in the series, Dune Messiah and Children of Dune are not quite as good but they do round out the trilogy nicely.  The "second trilogy" starts off with God Emperor of Dune and it is nearly as good as the original.  In my humble opinion, Herbert was "cashing in"  with Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse Dune , the second and third books in the "second trilogy."  I know some people who think Heretics and Chapterhouse are Herbert's best, but they tend to be younger, so maybe it is a generational thing.  I first read  Dune in sci-fi class in high school.  Since then, over the years, I have read it a few more times, and have read Dune Messiah, Children of Dune and God Emperor of Dune a couple of times and have always come away with something new.  I doubt I will ever bother to read Heretics of Dune or Chapterhouse Dune again.  Next we have what has come to be known as the "house trilogy" written by Frank's son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.  Dune: House Atreides ,  Dune: House Harkonnen and Dune: House Corrino are a prequel trilogy to the original Dune.  Most would agree that the house trilogy lacks the complexity of Frank Herbert's work.  I find the lack of complexity somewhat unsatisfying, but I know some that think it is an improvement.  The "Legends of Dune" trilogy is a prequel to the "house trilogy" and is comprised of The Butlerian Jihad , The Machine Crusade, and The Battle of Corrin.  (see also Video & DVD selections below)


    

     

   

     

       

    If you are just a little more trendy, you might want to check out Michael Crichton's State Of Fear  or I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe.  For the hot book in public affairs you would want Natan Sharansky's The Case For Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror .

      



DVD/Video

     For your viewing pleasure on DVD there is Frank Herbert's Dune (TV Miniseries) (Director's Cut Special Edition) (2000)  and Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (TV Miniseries) (2003)  both of which were much better than the feature Dune (1984) although Children of Dune seemed a bit more like "Twenty-Somethings of Dune."

    The best series ever to appear on TV is no doubt Yes Minister - The Complete Collection and Yes, Prime Minister - The Complete Collection. But for something more serious try the House of Cards Trilogy (House of Cards / To Play the King / The Final Cut).
 
      

      

  

   


    Before there was C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigation - The Complete First Season (2000), C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigation - The Complete Second Season (2001), C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigation - The Complete Third Season, C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigation - The Complete Fourth Season, C.S.I. Miami - The Complete First Season, C.S.I. Miami - The Complete Second Season, C.S.I.:  New York or the upcoming C.S.I.:  Springfield on Fox there were Nancy Drew, Frank and Joe Hardy armed with little more than a magnifying glass and a roll of scotch tape.  (O.K. they also had groovy bell bottoms and great hair, but I can not really see how that would help all that much.)  Well, they have made it from the seventies to the twenty-first century on DVD (available March 22, 2005).

     Speaking of the seventies, if you think disco is the thing most representative of that decade, that means you don't remember the After School Specials.  They have also made it to DVD, and available as After School Specials 1974-1976 Vol 1, After School Specials 1976-1977 Vol 2, After School Specials 1978-1979 Vol 3 and After School Specials 1979-1980 Vol 4. I can't say I have seen any of them on DVD, and I am sure I did not see most of them when they were on in the seventies (I would not even have guessed that there were so many!) but if you are looking for a blast from the past, this may well be the ticket.  
   




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