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  Economics in One Lesson Henry Hazlitt When one is asked by friends and family for a recommended introductory course to free market economics, this short book is often mentioned. This is a primer to market economics written for lay people untrained in finance or economics. Not a professional economist by training, Hazlitt has an incredible gift of exposition and persuasive writing. He has written line by line critiques of opposing schools of thought as well as authored short stories along the lines of market economics. His works are easily comprehended and leave the reader with either a sense of confirmation in his or her beliefs or leaves the reader with an appreciation for well-articulated opposing views. The short book is written in a series of short discussions that build on a general theme delineated in the beginning. The Lesson More so than most other fields of study, economics is plagued by special interest pleading. Small concentrated groups are boisterous in their...
  The Federal Reserve and the Financial Crisis Ben S. Bernanke   A preeminent academic economist and chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve from 2006 to 2014, Ben Bernanke delivered a series of speeches at George Washington University in 2012. This came at a time when the Federal Reserve sought to both improve its public relations and increase transparency to the financial and capital markets. Although not an academic paper or book, these reprinted speeches nonetheless provide insight into the thought process and workings of the Federal Reserve and other government agencies before, during, and after the Great Recession. He also gave a mainstream overview of central banking in general as well as the experiences of the Federal Reserve throughout the 20 th century. It is important to note that Bernanke is an economic positivist and monetarist. He is a proponent of monetary policy as a means to economic and financial stability and prosperity.   “Origins and Mission o...
  Like most people, I have started a daily journal several times during formative periods of my life. Sudden adversity, unexpected opportunities, or boredom with day to day banalities have all inspired me to put pen to paper. Like most people, life gets in the way and seems to inevitably abrogate any previous interest in the endeavor. Until now…. Dust covered books sit at weird angles on my matching book cases. Marked up, highlighted and annotated throughout, disorganized and illegible notecards litter the pages. Highlighted and cross referenced e-books linger forgotten in the short term memory of my Kindle Paperwhite. Unread for months or years, without continual study and review this knowledge fades from memory as surely as the sun rises in the East. I will be including these marginal notes (granted, of centrally important topics and ideas) in this blog. This will be a journal of books and treatises I have either read or intend to read in the foreseeable future. Topics will...