Amazon Reviews

I mentioned Deepak Lal's "Reviving the Invisible Hand" as a Labor Day labor of love for me. I recommend it highly.

I may or may not get around to a full blown "Review Corner" review. If I do, it will likely get five stars. I have a couple of chapters left, if he calls for nationalization of oil and health care I might have to trim some but it is not likely. Seriously, it is a very comprehensive look at the fundamental principles of classical liberalism and a scholarly review of its advantages where it has been implemented and potential where it has not. Good stuff, go buy it.

I purchased it after reading this review in TCS. At the time, there were only two Amazon customer reviews, and both were clearly written by leftist trolls who run down any book that fails to extol the practical benefits of Communism. I made a mental note to post a review when I was done. Checking the link today, there were a few more, but the Professor's average seemed weighted down with some who had obviously not read the book. My favorite was this one:

This book is dim-witted ideas written with complex vocabulary. It's not elaborate ideas for sure.

If this book has a flaw it is a little too academic and serious (Chapters have appendices!) To dismiss it monosyllabically is high humor. I'm not finished yet, but I read seven more chapters than Mr. For Sure, so I gave him five stars and this:

Sweeping case for Liberalism, September 4, 2006
Lal applies the concepts of Classical Liberalism across historical and cultural boundaries, applying its premises to trade, capital flows, monetary policy and morality. He is certainly an advocate of classical liberalism, but his propositions are presented academically and are backed up with facts and substantive research.

The book can be dry and academic at times, but it remains an interesting and thoughtful read.

(I almost called it a stunning exegesis, but I was afraid you guys would find me out...)

UPDATE: A few more reviews have gone up today and Professor Lal is gaining.

UPDATE II: Oh yeah, five stars. If we start the ThreeSources Book Club, this would be my first recommendation.

UPDATE III: 0 out of 1 found my review helpful. It's war out there, baby.

Posted by jk at September 4, 2006 4:54 PM