Leonard E. Read

Articles

08/31/2010 Articles of Interest Leonard E. Read

First published in the December 1958 issue of The Freeman, "I, Pencil: My Family Tree as Told to Leonard E. Read" is written from the point of view of an Eberhard Faber pencil.

I Don’t Know

11/02/2011 Mises Daily Leonard E. Read

These students of liberty have not yet learned to answer honestly, “I don’t know; I never will know; no one will ever know.”

The Rap against Unearned Riches

11/10/2011 Mises Daily Leonard E. Read

Only if one understands the subjective theory of value may he proceed logically to a belief in private ownership and control of property.

Publications

Freedom in One Lesson: The Best of Leonard Read

04/30/2025 Gary Galles Leonard E. Read

Introduction Leonard Read is not a household name; in fact, not many Americans even recognize it. That is unfortunate, because, according to his biographer, Mary Sennholz, “Leonard Read was one of the most notable social philosophers of our time. His

Anything That’s Peaceful: The Case for the Free Market

09/15/1964 Leonard E. Read

Leonard Read was a great spokesman for liberty, and an excellent teacher in the second half of the 20th century. Everyone agrees that this is his most inspired collection. It includes the essay later called “I, Pencil,” which is a masterful

Comes The Dawn

01/11/1976 Leonard E. Read

Libertarians may seem few and far between today, but they are not nearly as isolated now as they were when Leonard Read (1898–1983) was working to spread the freedom philosophy. Yet, although Read saw socialism spreading all around, he knew it was a

Media

The Miraculous Market

03/26/2009 Leonard E. Read

Think of it! The finest orchestrations ever known to man, the most beautiful music any individual on earth has heard — all mine, and done for me privately when I want it, and where I want it, and for no more than the flick of a switch. Staggering

I, Pencil

04/01/2009 Leonard E. Read

The audio version of Leonard Read’s classic essay. Narrated by Floy Lilley.

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