The Mises Community
An online community for fans of Austrian economics and libertarianism, featuring forums, user blogs, and more.

Time will run back -Henry Hazzlit-

rated by 0 users
This post has 2 Replies | 2 Followers

Not Ranked
Male
Posts 63
Points 1,035
Michael Posted: Thu, Jun 10 2010 9:15 PM
While I agree with every word that came from this book, I thought of it as dry literature. He kept using his book as a lecture post and prevented letting his characters move along in the story. While I enjoy books on economics, I felt he tried too hard to make a point. It is my general understanding of fictional literature that the story is more about the characters than anything else. The parts I did enjoy were the struggles Peter was going through fighting against the socialist including his main rival. However, the author just let that struggle stay i limbo. I believe Ann Rand was much better at keeping her stories moving. Her characters were always struggling against the "moochers" and demagogues of her books.I thought Hazzlit should have taken clues from her work, however, I hear those Rand people are vehement about IP . Maybe I'm being too hard but I believe that Hazzlit should have focused on making the book non fiction as he is good at explaining things clearly. However, what makes him and Rand different is the way they incorporated their philosophies in their literature. I critique this book because I believe fictional works play an important part of spreading the message and we should learn how to do so in a way that will keep readers captivated in ways that non-fiction may not be able to do. I hope to hear some feed back.
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup.You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend. -Bruce Lee
  • Post Points: 20
Not Ranked
Posts 26
Points 275

Thanks for posting your review, Michael. I didn't know he had written a book of fiction! 

I'm working on a fictional book about economics right now, and it is very heavy on characters because my audience is children at bedtime who are being read to by their parents.  Using Hazlitt's Economics in One Lesson as a chapter guide. :)

  • Post Points: 20
Not Ranked
Male
Posts 63
Points 1,035
Michael replied on Sat, Jun 12 2010 10:34 PM
Children books are tough. The hard part is to put your mentality in the target age group so that they will understand it. Also, don't forget to keep the story moving. Like economics, good fiction requires action ^_^ good luck
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup.You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend. -Bruce Lee
  • Post Points: 5
Page 1 of 1 (3 items)
| RSS