I'll add Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt. It provides an introduction to economics from an Austrian point of view, and dispells many common economic fallacies. A big takeaway for me is that the consequences of policies, such as providing loans to certain groups of farmers, have consequences that we cannot forsee.

https://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Underst...

Another similar book is "Economics in One Lesson" by Henry Hazlitt [1]:

> From this aspect, therefore, the whole of economics can be reduced to a single lesson, and that lesson can be reduced to a single sentence. The art of economics consists in looking not merely at the immediate hut at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing the consequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups.

[1]: https://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Underst...

Henry Hazlitt's Economics in One Lesson is a good place to start.

https://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Underst...

One "Old" Book to Learn Economics: Economics in One Lesson: The Shortest and Surest Way to Understand Basic Economics [1]

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Underst...

Henry Hazlitt, one of the economists quoted in the article, wrote a book called Economics in One Lesson [1]. It is a brilliant, and very approachable, piece of writing that should be read by everyone interested in the basics of economic theory.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Underst...

There's a lot to economics, one book that I think is really insightful and quite easy to read is Economics in One Lesson. It's main function is to highlight second order effects, or unintended consequences, of legislation on activity.

http://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understa...

"Economics in One Lesson" by Henry Hazlitt is one of those perfect little books that can greatly expand your world view in one night. I highly recommend it. (http://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understa...)

Also, I second Walden by Thoreau and suggest you read the Fountainhead. The Fountainhead isn't quite as blunt as Atlas Shrugged, but I find it a lot more life affirming and positive.

Absolutely the best by far. I know you said no older books, but this one gets it down to basics, and always seems to be an example of "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it," is

Henry Hazlitt's Economics In One Lesson http://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understa...

I would start with this one: http://www.amazon.com/Economics-One-Lesson-Shortest-Understa..., or free online at http://jim.com/econ/contents.html.