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Erinnerungen: Von Ludwig Von Mises
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These are difficult times for those who love freedom. But they are nothing like what Mises faced during his life. He prevailed, and his Memoirs explain how. We can learn from Mises in this respect too. "How one carries on in the face of unavoidable catastrophe is a matter of temperament," wrote Ludwig von Mises in his private memoir of his life in Europe. It was true in his time and it is true in ours. This new translation and edition of Mises's moving account of his life, published by the Mises Institute, provides not only deeply fascinating personal history; it also functions as a moral and spiritual guide for any lover of liberty during times of despotism. It was written during and after his immigration to the United States in 1940. Despite being driven from his home, seeing his country taken over by a foreign dictator, having his books burned and his papers stolen, and finally pushed out of the sanctuary he had for six years, he never lost determination and never doubted the truth of liberty.
These are difficult times for those who love freedom. But they are nothing like what Mises faced during his life. He prevailed, and his Memoirs explain how. We can learn from Mises in this respect too. "How one carries on in the face of unavoidable catastrophe is a matter of temperament," wrote Ludwig von Mises in his private memoir of his life in Europe. It was true in his time and it is true in ours. This new translation and edition of Mises's moving account of his life, published by the Mises Institute, provides not only deeply fascinating personal history; it also functions as a moral and spiritual guide for any lover of liberty during times of despotism. It was written during and after his immigration to the United States in 1940. Despite being driven from his home, seeing his country taken over by a foreign dictator, having his books burned and his papers stolen, and finally pushed out of the sanctuary he had for six years, he never lost determination and never doubted the truth of liberty.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1978
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About the author
Ludwig von Mises
289 books1,269 followersLudwig Heinrich Edler von Mises (German pronunciation: [ˈluːtvɪç fɔn ˈmiːzəs]; September 29, 1881 – October 10, 1973) was an Austrian economist, historian, philosopher, author, and classical liberal who had a significant influence on the Austrian government's economic policies in the first third of the 20th century, the Austrian School of Economics, and the modern free-market libertarian movement.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 27, 2020
"I set out to be a reformer, but only became a historian of decline" (98).
This book is not a memoir, it is a dry recollection of Von Mises' professional career as an economist and intellectual up until WW2. Mises writes pretty impersonally, which is surprising considering that he fundamentally believed that emotions influenced politics, or at least those who disagreed with his laissez faire view of the world. We learn very little of Mises' motivations for studying economics, his hopes, his hates or his relationships. Reading this book it would appear that he had no relationships outside of his professional life.
Another striking thing about these memoirs is that Von Mises complains ad nauseam about not getting the recognition or academic kudos he deserved. This is all whilst Mises brags about his being known as one of the most important economists of his day, having direct influence on the Social Democratic Party (through Otto Bauer), his influence in changing the central bank's policy through his writings, and also being offered multiple jobs at top banking firms as a result of his writing. The fact that Mises fails to spot this irony is jarring, and I believe that Mises only felt this way because he didn't get the exact academic career he wanted (a role he described as his calling), and instead chose to take a position as an unpaid lecturer. However, this isn't a role to be scoffed at, as Mises was still simultaneously writing important contributions on the subject of banking, and being paid for his writings, all whilst scoffing at the academics who were more successful than him. Hardly the kind of pauper-style life of a modern untenured academic.
There are a couple of tidbits which are worth checking out for people learning economics. For example, Mises' debates with Otto Bauer, Böhm Bawerk and Rudolf Hilferding are touched on. Of course, we only read of how Mises' enemies were ultimately stupid and couldn't grasp the situation being debated, but some of the technical details discussed are dealt with in a purely descriptive manner.
This book is not a memoir, it is a dry recollection of Von Mises' professional career as an economist and intellectual up until WW2. Mises writes pretty impersonally, which is surprising considering that he fundamentally believed that emotions influenced politics, or at least those who disagreed with his laissez faire view of the world. We learn very little of Mises' motivations for studying economics, his hopes, his hates or his relationships. Reading this book it would appear that he had no relationships outside of his professional life.
Another striking thing about these memoirs is that Von Mises complains ad nauseam about not getting the recognition or academic kudos he deserved. This is all whilst Mises brags about his being known as one of the most important economists of his day, having direct influence on the Social Democratic Party (through Otto Bauer), his influence in changing the central bank's policy through his writings, and also being offered multiple jobs at top banking firms as a result of his writing. The fact that Mises fails to spot this irony is jarring, and I believe that Mises only felt this way because he didn't get the exact academic career he wanted (a role he described as his calling), and instead chose to take a position as an unpaid lecturer. However, this isn't a role to be scoffed at, as Mises was still simultaneously writing important contributions on the subject of banking, and being paid for his writings, all whilst scoffing at the academics who were more successful than him. Hardly the kind of pauper-style life of a modern untenured academic.
There are a couple of tidbits which are worth checking out for people learning economics. For example, Mises' debates with Otto Bauer, Böhm Bawerk and Rudolf Hilferding are touched on. Of course, we only read of how Mises' enemies were ultimately stupid and couldn't grasp the situation being debated, but some of the technical details discussed are dealt with in a purely descriptive manner.
February 23, 2025
Siempre es un gusto volver a leer a este hombre. Este texto revela su (justificado) mal carácter en una época de general desánimo. Nada personal. Todo académico. Muy recomendable.
July 20, 2019
Ludwig von Mises was a classical liberal economist in Austria, with the peak of his career being in the interwar period, when socialism and fascism were competing for control of Europe. This memoir is not very personal, but is a patchwork of stories about his career. Its structure and writing style leave something to be desired, but its historical perspective and principles in the fight against nationalism and socialism are as important as ever.
With the rise of socialism and fascism, it become popular in academia to follow these groups and to publish research designed to promote the groups' ideas. Mises, a Jewish intellectual and a principled economist and philosopher, wanted no part in that. Naturally, students were discouraged by his colleagues from studying with him. This did not stop Mises or his students and contemporaries from meeting regularly to discuss philosophy and economics, especially the epistemology that has become the foundation of the Austrian school of economics.
With its roots in logic and epistemology, the Austrian school approach leans more toward science than social science. Ideas are tested, not speculated or assumed. Mises writes that "in science, there is only one sure method for the ultimate triumph of an idea: one should allow any contrary notion to run its course completely." Scientists must welcome criticism of their work and use it to strengthen their arguments or change them when necessary. It is this discourse that proves theories and allows humanity to progress. Scientists should challenge each other's ideas everywhere they can to prove which are true and which need refining: "He who only says what others want to hear is better off remaining silent," and "in science, compromise is a betrayal of truth."
Socialism and interventionism "gain meaning or purpose from the assertion that history inevitably leads to them." These are dangerous ideas that must be challenged by scientists and thinkers rather than simply accepted because they sound nice. In the 21st century, Mises's scientific approach to economic thought is as important as ever. Nationalism and socialism are again taking root in the world's most powerful countries, and these pose threats to science and to human welfare and liberty.
With the rise of socialism and fascism, it become popular in academia to follow these groups and to publish research designed to promote the groups' ideas. Mises, a Jewish intellectual and a principled economist and philosopher, wanted no part in that. Naturally, students were discouraged by his colleagues from studying with him. This did not stop Mises or his students and contemporaries from meeting regularly to discuss philosophy and economics, especially the epistemology that has become the foundation of the Austrian school of economics.
With its roots in logic and epistemology, the Austrian school approach leans more toward science than social science. Ideas are tested, not speculated or assumed. Mises writes that "in science, there is only one sure method for the ultimate triumph of an idea: one should allow any contrary notion to run its course completely." Scientists must welcome criticism of their work and use it to strengthen their arguments or change them when necessary. It is this discourse that proves theories and allows humanity to progress. Scientists should challenge each other's ideas everywhere they can to prove which are true and which need refining: "He who only says what others want to hear is better off remaining silent," and "in science, compromise is a betrayal of truth."
Socialism and interventionism "gain meaning or purpose from the assertion that history inevitably leads to them." These are dangerous ideas that must be challenged by scientists and thinkers rather than simply accepted because they sound nice. In the 21st century, Mises's scientific approach to economic thought is as important as ever. Nationalism and socialism are again taking root in the world's most powerful countries, and these pose threats to science and to human welfare and liberty.
April 19, 2019
Muy bonito. Y pensar que tenemos la misma visión pesimista sobre el mundo académico. El Venezolano en mi caso, está plagado de izquierdistas y keynesianos con visión de planificadores sociales.
También me enseñó sobre historia de Austria de forma indirecta.
También me enseñó sobre historia de Austria de forma indirecta.
June 14, 2020
It is short and not very interesting outside Austrian history. There is almost nothing here about LvM his personal life etc. I wasn't expecting this kind of memoirs. Just for the die hard fans of LvM and his genius.
September 3, 2016
More like a fragment of a memoir, covering little more than Mises' professional life and the financial & monetary policies of Austria leading up to WW2. If you're already interested in either of those subjects you'll find this book fascinating.
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August 3, 2011This is a must read if you are looking for a different perspective on the inter-war period in Germany and Austria.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews