Ludwig Von Mises: The Man and His Economics

by Israel M. Kirzner

Ludwig von Mises was one of the most influential economists of the twentieth century, and almost certainly the most significant free-market economist. Mises played a major role in the development of the Austrian School of economics, whose exponents - including Nobel laureates like F. A. Hayek, Milton Freidman, and Gary Becker - radically transformed the "dismal science." In this volume, Israel Kirzner follows Mises from his famous Privatseminar in Vienna - which included luminaries such as Hayek and Eric Voegelin - to his reluctant emigration from Geneva and his last years at New York University. Kirzner illuminates the sources and forces behind Mises' intellectual development. In so doing, he provides a useful and understandable overview of the principles of Austrian economics and the laissezfaire economic policies that became associated with it.

Genres: Economics, Biography

226 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

Leading economist of the Austrian School.

Wikipedia Bio

Reviews

[Patrick Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

29 Jan. 2019 - I read this book in May 2002 and really liked it.
In a letter I wrote to the author, I said: "I found your book truly engrossing, and had a tough time putting it down.... As a long-time student of Mises' works, I was very pleased to read such a fine presentation of his ideas and the context in which they were written and received. That you were able to do such a thorough job in such a compact work is truly remarkable."

I am noting this today, since I just found out that Liberty Fund is coming out with a new edition in April, edited by Peter Boettke and Frederic Sautet.
https://www.libertyfund.org/books/lud...

Glad to hear this, since the original edition suffered from some unfortunate typographical errors, primarily with some footnotes.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is neither ‘a full-length biography (nor… an intellectual biography…’ as Kirzner states in the Preface, Kirzner provides personal insight into Mises, along with an easily digestible description of the basic principles and concepts of what has come to be known as the Austrian school of economics.

Kirzner does a great job at providing concepts and theories without going too heavy into detail, but gives one enough to understand the colossal impact Mises’ ideas continue to play in shaping our market economy.

[Ana Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essa biografia foca em contextualizar a produção teórica de Mises. Começa descrevendo o ambiente histórico, as ideias predominantes em sua época e os acontecimentos que influenciaram seu pensamento. Depois, destrincha de forma breve suas principais ideias e conceitos, contrapondo com outras teorias economicas dominantes e ressaltando no que ele se diferenciou dos demais economistas.

Para quem entende pouco ou nada de economia, talvez seja muito dificil acompanhar o autor. É preciso ter um mínimo de noção de juros, ciclos econômicos, utilidade marginal, etc., para conseguir entender o desencadeamento das ideias.

Pessoalmente, sempre me surpreendo como Mises era simples e profundo ao mesmo tempo e como suas ideias extremamente lógicas são atuais. Fico admirada como pode alguém tão coerente ter demorado tanto para ganhar a relevância que merece. Esse fenômeno também é abordado por Israel Kirzner ao longo dos capítulos e me fez refletir como os paradigmas dominantes são mais poderosos para calar ou reforçar do que às vezes me deu conta. É um incentivo para nunca tomar as coisas como garantidas, por mais que elas já pareçam "A Verdade".

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear exposition of Mises' economic thought by one of his best known students. Require reading for all students of Austrian/market process economics.

[Ryan]

Just started it, Mises was one of the founding thinkers behind neo-liberalism. I think it (capitalist doctrine) is one of the reasons why the economy is the way it is. Regardless I'm interested in what the people opposite of me think.

[Matthew Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of Mises's contributions to economics.

[Cian Pearce · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was alright. The book's first part was a brief biography of the man, while the second half was the economics. The economics didn't go into enough depth of critique for me to enjoy and was too broad and mediocre. However, he does seem to be an interesting economist.

[Bre Zimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read and good overview of Mises' economics. Wished there was a bit more about his personal life, but still a good read for fans of Mises.

[Euwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic ‘It’s not you, it’s me.’ My interest in macroeconomics and economic history was short-lived, read up to 60% of the book and it was a nice intro but I have other interests to prioritise.

[Craig Bolton]

Ludwig Von Mises: The Man and His Economics (Library of Modern Thinkers) by Israel Kirzner (2001)