I'm interested in everyone's recommendations on economics books. I'll go ahead and give my short list of "recommended readings."
1) Economics in one lesson, by Henry Hazlitt, 1946
2) Economic sophisms, Frederic Bastiat, 1845
3) The Road to serfdom, F.A. Hayek, 1944
4) Freakonomics, S. Levitt and S. Dubner, 2005
5) The Mystery of Capital, Hernando De Soto, 2000
Economics in one Lesson is the main reason I am economics major. I read it as a senior in high school and I have been hooked ever since.
I read economic sophisms in the international economics discussion class with C.B. and Van Cott. Before this book by Bastiat I read "What is seen and what is unseen" which is a fantastic essay. You can find it and other Bastiat readings on www.bastiat.org .
The Road to Serfdom is an interesting look at, in general, freedom in America and the U.K. in the 1930's and 1940's. I can't do much more explaining, just read it.
Freakonomics is terribly interesting. No real point to the whole thing, but you'll want much more by the end. I read it in about two days as a junior here at Ball State. Seriously, just read it.
The Mystery of Capital is great if you want to get a grasp on how important institutions are to our well being.
If anyone has other ideas about what great readings on economics are I'm sure everyone would appreciate it.
W.A.H
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In reaction to "Freakonomics", an economist named John Lott has written "Freedomnomics"; I would recommend it for those who read or have already read the former book.
Charles Wheelan's "Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science" is a pretty good read. It's particularly accessible for those without a background in economics.
Todd Buchholz's "New Ideas From Dead Economists" is another book I'd recommend. It provides a nice (albeit, cursory) overview of the life, times, and theories of economists from Smith to Keynes.
My personal favorite will probably always be "Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith. Not only were its economic concepts revolutionary, but Smith wrote with such powerful prose and style. Rather than being merely entertaining or clever, Smith's writings are profound.
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