10 Best Books on Great Depression?

Vanity | July 5, 2009 | Me

[SolidWood]

A nephew of mine is doing some project/study work on the Great Depression. I have tons of history books, but very little on economical history and the Great Depression. I'd like him to avoid Roosevelt adulating propaganda. What do you consider the authorative and most relevant books on the Great Depression and the (etatist) measures certain States (particularily US and Europeans) have taken against it?

Thanks for your help.

[NewJerseyJoe]

The Forgotten Man by Amity Shlaes is very popular here on FR.

[Maine Mariner]

Milton Friedman and Anna Schwartz wrote “A Monetary History of the United States” in 1962. I believe there is a separate chapter on the Great Depression. As I recall (it has been 30 years since I read it) they suggest the depression was as bad as it was because of the actions or inactions if you will of the Board of Governors of the FED.

The book is considered one of Friedman’s best works.

[Madam Theophilus]

FDR’s FOLLY: HOW ROOSEVELT AND HIS NEW DEAL PROLONGED THE GREAT DEPRESSION by Jim Powell.

THE MAKING OF MODERN ECONOMICS by Mark Skousen

THE LAW by Bastiat

THE GROWTH OF AMERICA: 1878-1928 and THE WELFARE STATE: 1929-1985 by Clarence B. Carson [Vol. 4 & 5 of his A BASIC HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES] The earlier volume details the philosophical development of socialism that lead to the decisions of FDR during the Great Depression.

[whitedog57]

There are so many books and papers on the economics of the Great Depression.

The bottom line is that the Roosevelt administration took the opportunity to inflict socialism on the US and allow his friends to grab staggering amounts of wealth.

Just like today.

Keynesian economics is AN EXCUSE FOR WHOLESALE THEFT, not a cure for a depression.

Hillary, Rahmbo, Romer and the others keep saying that “A crisis is a terrible thing to waste.” Now you know what they mean.

[LRoggy]

To get an insider perspective on it in a different approach read Cordell Hull’s memoirs if you can find them (2 volumes). He was Roosevelt’s Secretary of State for most of the presidency, including at the beginning. Hull did not agree with all of the New Deal approach and it is fascinating to see a true insider account that was not from an economist.

BTW - for the Obama apologists concerning talking with our enemies - we broke off diplomatic relations with Germany in 1937, two plus years before he invaded Poland.

[bigbob]

“The Grapes of Wrath” by Steinbeck captures the emotional side of the depression like no other. Also suggest interviewing someone (relative, nursing home resident, etc) who lived through it. It left a life-changing impression on those who grew up in the Depression that third-party accounts can never capture.

[Nateman]

I found this one pretty good. Click on picture to find out more.

[Hawthorn]

More than any other one factor, what turned an ordinary recession into a "Great Depression" was an appallingly inept monetary policy by the U. S. Federal Reserve system. The authoritative work here is Milton Friedman and Anna J. Schwartz, A Monetary History of the United States. In fact, it's fair to say that Friedman and Schwartz's masterpiece has been the most influential economics study of the last 70 years.

[SolidWood]

Thank you all for your input. If there is more, keep ‘em coming.

[madamemayhem]

The Forgotten Man and New Deal or Raw Deal?

[Madam Theophilus]

There are many excellent conservative economics works available, I agree. One which I forgot to mention (probably others have): Rothbard’s AMERICA’S GREAT DEPRESSION - available online, http://mises.org/rothbard/agd/contents.asp#contents

I also agree that Kenysian economics does allow for “legal” theft by the elite for the purpose of political control.

[Madam Theophilus]

While Steinbeck’s novel is often cited as an accurate picture of the Great Depression, it actually was not. See, Keith Windschuttle’s essay: “Steinbeck’s Myth of the Okies” - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/709593/posts

Original article here:
http://www.newcriterion.com/articles.cfm/steinbeck-windschuttle-1941

[BfloGuy]

The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Great Depression and the New Deal is very good. I also heartily recommend "The Forgotten Man."

[wildlybamboozled]

Yes. The Grapes Of Wrath is an excellent book. I really enjoy Steinbeck’s writing- though I’ve only managed to get a hold of two of his books, The Grapes Of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. I absolutely love the movie for Of Mice and Men. Another excellent performance by conservative actor Gary Sinise.

[HereInTheHeartland]

I just found this thread.
Any updates as to what would be good reading from anyone?