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...

The idea that technology will cause widespread job-loss and economic upheaval is such an old fear, and it never works that way. Technological innovations lead to wealth creation 100% of the time, along with more opportunities for more people, even if some jobs are initially replaced with other jobs. "This time is different" is announced everytime, and it's always the same.

This book is very good for anybody wishing to understand basic economic theory and see many examples throughout history of this exact debate taking place over and over and over again: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0517548232/ (see the chapter "The Curse of Machinery").

It's disheartening to see that Matthew Yglesias has book, with an economic argument no less, that is incredibly popular here on HN. He's been discredited by many economists from the left/right/libertarian. That is, when his arguments aren't simply ad hominems.

If you've read this book, do yourself a favor and read some refutations. Or do one better, and learn economics so you can think about these issues clearly.

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.