2024-08-19 I read this book in the early 1980s and was able to interact with the author at some Libertarian Party events where he spoke. I really like2024-08-19 I read this book in the early 1980s and was able to interact with the author at some Libertarian Party events where he spoke. I really liked the book and his philosophy - very much in tune with reality....more
2023-10-11 I just finished the first story "Ragged Dick" a couple days ago - a rereading for a book club discussion coming up in a few days. Loved it.2023-10-11 I just finished the first story "Ragged Dick" a couple days ago - a rereading for a book club discussion coming up in a few days. Loved it. A few years ago I had first listened to the book and liked it so much I listened 3-4x! See my review on Goodreads of a different (pb?) edition., since there is no Librivox audio edition listed. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... I bought this Kindle book a few days ago so that I would have the actual text, instead of just listening (which I did again anyway on a little car journey a few days ago also.) I chose this edition, since it was cheap and had 10 (out of 70!) of the famous author's top stories - very handy and thrifty.
Wonderful book - highly recommended. Great values promoted in this story: honesty, hard work, perseverance, good humor, charity, respectability, importance of a good education, saving, good habits, self-discipline, positive attitude, good friends and friendship, etc. Luck is acknowledged as helping, but capitalizing on it, and not relying on it, is shown to be the key.
(Reminds me of the quote of a famous attorney in Chicago when asked about his luck in winning trials and becoming generally successful: (paraphrasing from memory - "I somehow seemed to gain more luck in my career the more hours I spent in the law library compared to the golf course.)
Great historical insights on survival (without government welfare mentioned at all). Note the prices for goods/services in the book and compare them to today! Note how easy it is to get a good education at very reasonable cost.
I do see some typos and other glitches in this edition, but they are quite minor, for such a low cost edition, that provides so much value.
2023-Oct - The 2nd story "Fame and Fortune" shows how corrosive and negative envy and an entitled attitude can be to all. This story was a nice continuation of the main characters in Ragged Dick, with more added and nicely varying plot, action and conflicts.
These stories are 160 years old, from when society was VASTLY materially poorer! Think of the possibilities for today, with the same values, and present wealth levels!
We need many more books like this, written about modern situations, issues and settings.
2023 Nov - 3rd story - "Mark the Match Boy" - another good one, with another poor street boy profession highlighted - selling matches. Good reinforcement of positive values and fighting difficulties in circumstances, bad influences, bad values, etc. The economics of the business is quite instructive for the time and in a timeless way too. Wonderful.
2023-12-5? - 4th story - "Rough and Ready" - Rufus' nickname is well deserved - a bit rough around the edges, but basically very, very good, and super dedicated to his little sister and always ready for opportunities to help her, his customers/employers and himself. The benefits of honesty and hard work/dedication to what is right and good, vs. idleness, envy, sloth, vindictiveness, etc. Great lessons. Neat story, as usual. No one is perfect, which is what life is really like. But some people are so down to earth, basically good, that you can really count on them. And facts matter. And good questions to actually reveal fact from fiction is important. Crucial.
2023-12-07 Just finished the 5th story within this book: "Ben, The Luggage Boy" - another wonderfully uplifting story. This one is about Ben, who left home at the age of 10 due to his wanting to be independent of his father, who had wronged him. He finds out how difficult earning one's way in the world can be for someone that young, but survives. He also learns about the importance of doing more than just surviving day-to-day, and some really important things in life. The basic math skills exhibited in all the stories is great. Even though most of the "heroes" of the stories - the young boys - have had very little formal education, they all seem to understand basic math, and regularly calculate earnings/day (or partial day) and whether it is more profitable to do one thing or the other, how much time is needed to work for meals, or a room, or a cigar or a Bowery show.
2023-12-11 6th story - "Rufus and Rose" - Returning to Rufus (Rough and Ready) and his sister Rose, the continued saga, where the thoroughly nasty "step-father," James Martin, returns to wreck havoc, and he gets nastier and more dangerous with the aid of even more sinister conmen, but Rufus is up to the challenge. The problems of overdrinking or smoking are demonstrated well, so moderation or abstention benefits are made pretty clear.
2023-12-11 7th story - "Tattered Tom, or the Story of a Street Arab" - Well, well - this is the story of a young street girl, with only a mean and worthless "granny" to help her survive. She would rather be a boy, so acts similarly to the boys, and can take on any of them, if they are near her size, if she needs to. I loved her attitude, grit, "pluck" and turns of expression. And so does the ship's captain who has come back to the city to see his sister. He takes a liking to this plucky little gal with the boy's nickname (Did you know the expression Tomboy dates back to at least the 1870s?) and sets her up in a seemingly decent situation, vastly better than she endured with "granny." But things don't go as planned and granny reappears for some pretty tense and hopeless situations. But Tom is up to the trying situations, and never gives up, but rather somehow always makes lemonade out of the lemons she is served.
One little quirk was that at one point the captain's sister called Tom by the name Tom said may have been her real name: Jenny. But then later in the book, without any explanation, all of a sudden she is being called Jane. I dunno what happened.
2023-12-18 8th story (only 3 more to go!) "Paul the Peddler" - has a mother and brother, but their husband/father was killed a year or two before the story begins, so Paul (and his family) had a better beginning than most of the other stories' "heroes", but they are living in much tougher straits than they did previously, and he, at only 14 or 15 is the main breadwinner. His "peddling" is his own invention, and it is kind of mini-lottery. But since it does well, and he's honest, he attracts tough (and dishonest) competition, that makes life very difficult.
Side Comment: One of the extra neat things about these Horatio Alger stories is that honest competition is shown to be natural and lauded, and dishonest competition is shown to be semi-rare and bad for everyone - including the perps of course.
Things get sorted out in all the stories with mostly private actions and a minimal amount of government police/courts action, kept to just the basics of justice. No government "regulators" are involved at all, except just one (so far) that stifles honest trade with prohibitively expensive licenses/taxes.
Such a simple, reasonable and accurate description, yet how many books, movies, high school and college classes, TV shows, political speeches or laws have it all backwards these days?
The story continued by plowing some new as well as reinforcing some existing fertile ground. Entrepreneurial thinking, economic calculations, financing a new business and the importance of trust, friendship, high morals and fast, decisive actions. Reputations and the different profit levels/needs of varying businesses (pawn shops vs. big name jewelers in particular), which included hints on discovering fair vs. foul dealing, were all very valuable to this reader, and probably most anyone who reads the story
However, there were several little, somewhat unbelievable, lapses too, which made it less real and much more reliant on luck as a key device.
2023-12-24 The 9th story "Phil the Fidler" - Filippo, the young Italian immigrant was "sold" by his poor father in Italy to a "Padrone" who treats him and the other boys he has "bought" like a slave. They are all forced to work for their living on the streets of NY, fiddling for hand-outs, provided little to eat and required to turn over all their money to the Padrone, to repay the money he gave to their fathers (but not to them). Very tough life. One of Phil's friends dies of exposure, sickness and the resulting ill-treatment. But Phil succeeds by his wits, perseverance, strong character and some luck, of course, though he had his ill-luck too and close-calls, but persevered. Kindness and open-hearts by a couple who were also gravely treated by fate was another warm and fuzzy aspect to the story. Another excellent story.
2023-12-26 The 10th & last story in this book: "Slow and Sure: THE [continuing] STORY OF PAUL HOFFMAN THE YOUNG STREET-MERCHANT. Excellent ending story to this wonderful volume. Paul's rise is by no means a sure thing, but his strong work ethic, seizing of opportunities when they present themselves, attention to his family and friends and even strangers all help him along. Remembering his humble beginnings and treating others with kindness pays off in more than just feeling good about himself. The plucky and dirt poor character Julius is introduced to very good effect. He and Paul both benefit from dealing straight with each other.
2023-12-30 Just received a GREAT compliment on my review and what I think about this book from a dear and very learned friend: "This [book] is what I need to read to [her granddaughter] when she’s a little older!" WOW!!!! YES, indeed. It is going on my list for my reading to our grandkids, if/when we ever have any....more
2023-09-20 I'm about 60% into this and it is very riveting. Of course I have seen several times, the movie "The Miracle Worker" which is based on part 2023-09-20 I'm about 60% into this and it is very riveting. Of course I have seen several times, the movie "The Miracle Worker" which is based on part of Helen Keller's story with her great teacher Ms. Sullivan. So I have wanted to read this autobiography for a very long time (>50 years), but not made time to do so till now.
The story is proving well worth the time to read it, and quite insightful in several ways: - how deaf & sightless individuals can be taught with minimal - no extra technologies - how important motivations are, as well as early memories of sights & sounds - how crucial a parent's love and touch can be to help a child
2022-04-13 I just read a friend's review of another book in this genre and thought of this one. Though I only read part of it, I really liked it and WI2022-04-13 I just read a friend's review of another book in this genre and thought of this one. Though I only read part of it, I really liked it and WISH I had read/studied it all.
Since our son is now 23 and far from interested in hearing lessons from me, or a book like this, my regrets show how too late I am.
The parts I did read were valuable, useful and sometimes very funny.
Not sure why I did not make more effort to read/study it.
Perhaps because when I did share some sections with my wife and son, they were kinda, NOT interested. Not sure why though....more
**spoiler alert** 2022-03-26 Just saw this in a friend's books read list and so many positive memories flooded my mind!
I must have read this or had it**spoiler alert** 2022-03-26 Just saw this in a friend's books read list and so many positive memories flooded my mind!
I must have read this or had it read to me 5-10-20 x when I was growing up. I loved it. What a great story of perseverance. So important for kids to learn.
2021-09-10 I read/listened to the 2nd book in the series that this began first - Anne of Avonlea. It was GREAT. I loved it. Despite it's being associa2021-09-10 I read/listened to the 2nd book in the series that this began first - Anne of Avonlea. It was GREAT. I loved it. Despite it's being associated with young girls, I found the story captivating and the values and excitements of the story very valuable. I was willing to try the book because of the Goodreads review by my friend Brian Surkan, which I highly recommend, since I was so richly rewarded by it.
It also got me to see the Netflix series "Anne with an E" which is based on this book, but which takes significant liberties with the story, inventing many different events and not covering some. I loved the series at first, since it seemed to hew to the wonderful, uplifting and heartwarming spirit of the book. It was perfect for viewing during the covid mess last year. However, after viewing the series (2-3 seasons) a 2nd time and thinking about it more, I did not like: - some of the directions it went, - some of the incidents it invented - some of the values it introduced that were not in the book at all - its NOT using some of the perfectly fine parts of the book that it should have dealt with
I also watched one of the older TV series based on the book too and liked it better, even though it lost some of the "freshness" and "spunk" of the main character actor in the Netflix series. Sorry, I can't remember which exact version/date/actors to identify it....more
2021-07-29 I listened to the audio book (edition not listed in GR), and have not read this paperback. This third book in the series is excellent. Wond2021-07-29 I listened to the audio book (edition not listed in GR), and have not read this paperback. This third book in the series is excellent. Wonderful dramatization of the history (briefly) of the Federal Reserve Board, how it controls the money supply and how that affects everyday people.
Very enjoyable. Very recommended to kids 8-14 and their parents especially.
See my other Tuttle Twins books reviews for more info on the whole marvelous series....more
2021-07-29 I listened to this just after listening to Tuttle Twins #1 - The Law (see my review of that too for reference) and liked it almost as much.2021-07-29 I listened to this just after listening to Tuttle Twins #1 - The Law (see my review of that too for reference) and liked it almost as much. I listened to it again a little over a month later, again right after listening to the #1 book in the series too.
This book is based on a popular essay "I, Pencil" by Leonard Read, the founder of the Foundation for Economic Education. The point of the essay and this story is to acquaint the reader with the concept of the marvelous coordination ability of the voluntary market and that no one individual (or government agent or plan) could possible accomplish what this voluntary market coordination can and does.
It is a great lesson. Milton Friedman used it in his first episode of his classic TV series and book, Free to Choose.
But the way it is done does not really appeal to me and stretches credulity with the statement "no one knows how to make a pencil" when it really means, "no one knows how to make all the parts of the pencil and all the machines that make those parts, and all the parts to make all those machines (etc. etc.) as the pencil is commonly made and sold now."
So, the lesson is valuable, very valuable, but the specific statement of it is a bit misleading.
The narrator is the same for the whole series of Tuttle Twins books and she is excellent - very professional and engaging. I believe kids (and their parents) should like the book very much. It has sold very well, a good sign. But there are always kids who have not had the opportunity to benefit - hint, hint!...more
2021-07-29 I listened to the audio book version, I did not read the paperback. I really liked it. Did a neat job of bringing some of Ayn Rand's ideas 2021-07-29 I listened to the audio book version, I did not read the paperback. I really liked it. Did a neat job of bringing some of Ayn Rand's ideas from her amazing Atlas Shrugged to this delightful kids story.
The theme of who and what produces value for consumers is something that kids and adults really need to understand for a themselves and society to thrive, and not be as contentious as it too often is. Grokking reality vs. whims based on envy is crucial for peace and happiness.
Highly recommended. The book should be very relatable and enjoyable for kids and adults alike....more
2021-07-29 I listened to the audio version of the book, and did not read it. Another excellent story in the Tuttle Twins series. Highly recommended. V2021-07-29 I listened to the audio version of the book, and did not read it. Another excellent story in the Tuttle Twins series. Highly recommended. Very positive story of kids and adults learning about a real issue in life in America (business using government force to hamper competition) and doing something about it to make life better for all (except maybe short-term for the original business - but making him/her work harder/smarter to gain customers).
Injustice and laws that make us poorer are exposed and corrected.
So many people can learn important truths and gain appropriate methods and inspiration from this book.
HIGHLY recommended.
See my other Tuttle Twins book series for my other reviews if intrigued....more
2021-07-29 I listened to the audio version of this book, I did not read it. I liked it, as I like all the books in this series. See my other reviews of 2021-07-29 I listened to the audio version of this book, I did not read it. I liked it, as I like all the books in this series. See my other reviews of the other books for more info....more
2021-07-29 I listened to the audiobook, I did NOT read this paperback edition. Fascinating fictional story based on a significant theme in the book "T2021-07-29 I listened to the audiobook, I did NOT read this paperback edition. Fascinating fictional story based on a significant theme in the book "The Road to Serfdom" by FA Hayek. Hayek's book is meant for adults, and can be difficult for those not familiar with economics, history or government actions. This Tuttle Twins story is very well done for kids 10-14, their parents, or anyone who wants to get a perspective on negative "unintended consequences" of supposedly positive plans and projects.
It is a pretty realistic local/state government plan gone bad (for some existing businesses and customers), if overly ambitious, condensation and simplified example of some of what Hayek was trying to get across.
Love to hear any comments from others who read this, on how well the story, and ideas in it, come across....more
2021-07-29 - I listened to this marvelous little book, the first in the remarkable Tuttle Twins series, a month and a half ago, and then again last we2021-07-29 - I listened to this marvelous little book, the first in the remarkable Tuttle Twins series, a month and a half ago, and then again last week. Because I listened to the audiobook version, I missed the catchy graphics that the printed series contains. That seems to be about the only down-side.
The narrator was very good. The theme, dialog, characters were all excellent.
The book is based on the insights of the equally short, but even more powerful book for adults, "The Law" by the French classical liberal, Frederic Bastiat, acknowledged in the story of this book.
I believe the age range that this book is geared for is 8-12 or 13 years old. I am 65 and thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it to anyone, but especially to parents and their age-appropriate kids. If more parents and their kids read/listened to and considered the lessons in their daily lives in this book (and indeed, the whole series) the world would be a far better and happier place. ...more
2021-04-05 Finished this a few days ago and am still warm from the glow.
What a treasure of a book.
There are so many prescient insights, observations a2021-04-05 Finished this a few days ago and am still warm from the glow.
What a treasure of a book.
There are so many prescient insights, observations and tips for leading a better, more thoughtful and happy life. Not an easy thing, to lead a happy, meaningful life.
Many psychology and other studies cited, very appropriately. Each chapter has endnotes to see the details.
Excellent books and authors quoted and summarized to back up his points.
Many autobiographical references that endeared his personal struggles and triumphs to this reader.
I had heard the author speak a couple different times at the annual FreedomFest.com conference, via the recordings of the sessions, I believe multiple times each. Then when I realized that he lived only 30-40 min. away, I called him and asked if he would like to speak to a local group I run - a chapter of the BastiatSociety.com and he agreed, and did in Jan. 2020, where I found out about the book and got a copy then. I attempted to read parts during the terrible 2020 Covid lockdown siege, but was unable to concentrate on it. Finally started it again in earnest last month. This time I was ready and could hardly put it down.
But it is not a book to read all at once. It was best (at least for me) to savor it - in bite-sized bits. A nugget here, then reflecting on that, integrating it into my thoughts and actions. Then later moving to the next section and repeating the process.
There are so many really helpful ideas and tips in the book, that I know I will return, probably many times, to savor again, to reflect anew and to implement further modifications of my habits and testing of new things.
A couple nits with the book: 1. No Index - Especially for a physical book (as opposed to eBook) this is a problem for me - because it makes it tough to go back to find parts in the book I want to read again.
2. The Table of Contents only lists the Chapter Titles, without the subchapter headings, which would have been extra helpful, especially due to the lack of an Index.
But other than that - the book is beautifully done: - The cover has a very intriguing picture of a unique stone stack & another strip picture of something mysterious. - The paper and binding quality are excellent - this book's paper will last and not yellow. - Just some of the greats, who's insights he weaves into his book: Aristotle, Ben Franklin, Martin Seligman, John Gottman, Nathaniel Branden, Roy Baumeister, Haim Ginott, etc. - Repeated summaries and critiques of the bad effects that Jean Jacques Rousseau has had on our culture. - The cool chart of Aristotle's Deficiency (Vice), Balance (Virtue) and Excess (Vice) traits/items. - How in-touch the book is with reality and private voluntary (market) actions vs. the pernicious and coercive behavior of governments.
I'll end with the endorsement quotations on the book's back cover by: - John Mackey, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Whole Foods Markets: "Happiness can be an elusive goal. Victor Frankl would say that we can't pursue it directly, but rather that happiness ensures by following our conscience. In the Virtue of Happiness, Joel Wade shows just how interconnected our happiness is with our virtues; but also gives specific ideas and tools for how to actively pursue both our virtues and our happiness. Highly recommended." and - Jon Butcher, Chairman of the Precious Moments Family of Companies, founder of Lifebook. "Dr. Wade's book is the most enlightened exploration of happiness I've yet encountered. In it, he proposes a simple but radical premise; happiness is not a matter of luck, or goal achievement or simply lack of pain... A truly happy life is an accomplishment of epic proportions - one that requires virtue, discipline, passion and courage to create and maintain. Highly recommended!"...more
2021-09-13 - starting again into this very unsettling, but insightful book. The effects that Marcuse's writing has wrought are so disturbing and perva2021-09-13 - starting again into this very unsettling, but insightful book. The effects that Marcuse's writing has wrought are so disturbing and pervasive as to be scary. Several of his acolytes and their work are well described. The detail, and precision can be difficult. But then Kors brings the net effect back to simple clarity. Beautiful. I'm building more momentum on this now...
2021-03-10 - I started this a couple weeks ago and paused a few days ago. The book is pretty heavy - some parts are easy to read and very compelling, while other parts (so far) are quite detailed, philosophical, legal or historical, and I have a tough time digesting. But all are important.
The opening intro chapter was amazing and it alone was worth the price of the book. What a harrowing, sad, but uplifting story of the "water buffalo incident" at UPenn.
The next chapter on the legal aspects and current (up to the book's publication -1998) of freedom of speech, was very revealing, very carefully done - but made me need to rest.
I ploughed on with the next chapter on Herbert Marcuse... and then needed a break, for sure. I will return, since the effects of Marcuse's perverted philosophy has wrecked more than enough havoc in academia and beyond that the need to try to grasp the effects of his work is necessary, for sure....more
2021-02-13 Just finished this great little book for kids (10-16 years old?), #11 in the Tuttle Twins series of books.
I started with this book in the s2021-02-13 Just finished this great little book for kids (10-16 years old?), #11 in the Tuttle Twins series of books.
I started with this book in the series, since it is dedicated to and takes good lessons from, my hero, Ludwig Mises. While and after reading the book, I was quite impressed and look forward to reading the rest of the series too.
Qualities of this book (and the whole series, hopefully): - Nice size: 6"x 9" pb, with very good quality paper, 59 pages - excellent color illustrations on most every page - very readable, breezy, yet substantial dialog style, with real meat to it - a few significant technical economic terms, but well and simply defined - very positive, with a can-do attitude throughout - reminded me of some of the best parts of the homeschooling experience with our son
Some of the great terms discussed in the book: - "delayed gratification" - Incentives - Opportunity Costs - Subsidies - Trade-offs
Discussion questions at the end are provided too.
And I note that there is an Activity Workbook available for free download too.
If you have kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews or friends who have kids in this age group who might be interested in knowing more about business, markets, and/or economics, I highly recommend this book... and probably the whole series (based on this book and many other article by and about the author). I know I am looking forward to reading the other books too....more
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