Reviews Books

Full disclosure: I'm a big Drucker fan

This book will need to sit on your bookshelf. It's a nice compilation of work Drucker has written over his many years. I've got this on my re-read list so basically every once in a while when I need business inspiration I walk over to the shelf and go through his sage advice.

To me, one of Peter Drucker's greatest strengths as a business thinker is his ability to cut to the proverbial "bone" when sharing an insight about an especially complicated subject. This unique talent illustrates what Oliver Wendell Holmes meant when observing that he didn't "care a fig about simplicity on this side of complexity" but greatly admired simplicity "on the other side of complexity." Given Holmes' observation, consider these three prime examples of "classic Drucker":

In 1963: "There is surely nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency what should not be done at all." (Managing for Business Effectiveness, page 83)

In 1995: "EVA [economic value added] is based on something we have known for a long time: what we generally call profits, the money left to service equity, is usually not profit at all. Until a business returns a profit that is greater than its cost of capital, it operates at a loss...By measuring the value added among all costs, including the cost of capital, EVA measures, in effect, the productivity of all factors of production." (The Information Executives Truly Need, page 107)

In 1988: "Information-based organizations, in other words, require clear, simple, common objectives that translate into particular actions. At the same time, however, as these examples dicate, information-based organizations also need concentration on one objective or, at most, on a few. Because the `players' in an information-based organization are specialists, they cannot be told how to do their work...So [such an organization] must be structured around goals that clearly state management's performance expectations for the enterprise and for each part and specialist and around organized feedback that compares [and contrasts] results with these performance expectations so that every member can exercise self-control. The other requirement of an information-based organization is that everyone takes information responsibility...The key to such a system is that everyone asks: Who in this organization depends on me for what organization? And on whom, in turn, do I depend?" (The Coming of the New Organization, page 133)

There several other excellent sources of Drucker quotations (e.g. The Daily Drucker) which I frequently consult. However, in the 15 Harvard Business Review articles which are assembled in Classic Drucker, there is a context within which the value of each insight is more clearly indicated. In the Introduction, Thomas A. Stewart (editor of the Harvard Business Review) cites three of Drucker's great gifts to his life work: "First was the talent for asking the right questions...His second gift was to see organizations whole...[Drucker's] third gift was the ability to reason equally well both inductively and deductively." All three gifts are clearly evident in each of the 15 articles.

Near the conclusion of an interview by T. George Harris in 1993, Drucker makes several points which seem even more relevant now: "'Democratic' bespeaks a narrow and legal organization. Nor do I use the buzzword `participative.' Worse yet is the `empowerment' concept. It is not a great step forward to take power out at the top and put it in at the bottom. It's still power. To build achieving organizations, you must replace power with responsibility."

During the months and years to come, decision-makers in all organizations (regardless of nature or size) would be well-advised to keep such basic business precepts in mind, not as simplistic solutions to immensely complicated problems but, rather, as fundamentally sound principles to keep in mind when attempting to solve such problems.

This is one of the best management books I've ever read. Despite the articles being written 10 - 20 years ago, they are still relevant. Drucker uses good examples to illustrate his points, and avoids the word "synergy."

If the name of Peter Drucker sounds familiar, it should: he's inspired managers with his works for nearly half a century, with his articles in Harvard Business Review - gathered here for the first time under one cover and offering his best works to audiences of business learners. From how to remain productive throughout your work life and choose careers which are lasting to learning how and when to make changes, Classic Drucker is a compendium of business wisdom which should be in every business library collection.

I found the chapter on self-management alone to be worth the price of the book.

This work contains the details of classic horrors. i.e.
- Phantom of the Opera
- The Magician
- Dr. Mabuse
- Frankenstein
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
- The Mummy and White Zombie
- King Kong
- Cat People
- Hauntings and Possessions

Photos by Boris Karloff, the Bride of Frankenstein and Son of
Frankenstein provide an historic dimension to the overall
presentation. Lesser horrors are included; such as, the Creature
from the Black Lagoon , The Mole People and Monster on Campus.
The photos of Fredric March and John Barrymore depict the
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde characters in all their glory. A first
edition rendition of this work will be treasured most by
horror enthusiasts. The cost is modest for the value provided.

i like a comedy and sports and ect..... then, i want to show your videos but you may not accept my opinion....uhm.....

Having owned this book since the first printing in 1975, I have used it as a guidance tool to track down and watch over the past 29 years the excellence that is horror films outlined in this book. The late author clearly has a firm grasp of the element of a successful horror film; i.e. lighting, timing, musical score (or lack thereof), delivery, etc., and contained within this volume are critically acclaimed classics as well as little known "nuggets" worth searching out, such as "Murder in the Zoo," "Strangler in the Swamp," and the last of the great horror films, "Night of the Demon." Since the book's release, many of the titles have become increasing accessible both in video and in DVD, which allow for a greater enjoyment by the classic horror audience. You won't find any of the latter day slasher, gore-fest "movies," but you will find a careful synopsis and examination of each film contained in this volume. My recommendations to watch after reading this book are: Night of the Demon, The Uninvited, The Devil Doll, and The Man Who Laughs (silent).

Having grown up watching classic sci-fi, horror and monster movies on Saturday afternoons, I couldn't wait to read this book. It's a well-researched, enjoyable history of Classic Horror Films, from the 20s through the Exorcist. Everson does a fine job of covering the well known films, as well as pointing out a few classic sleepers (e.g., Murders in the Zoo) If you love these films, this book is a must read. Lots of great photos as well!

Having grown up watching classic sci-fi, horror and monster movies on Saturday afternoons, I couldn't wait to read this book. It's a well-researched, enjoyable history of Classic Horror Films, from the 20s through the Exorcist. Everson does a fine job of covering the well known films, as well as pointing out a few classic sleepers (e.g., Murders in the Zoo) If you love these films, this book is a must read. Lots of great photos as well!

Well written book with good examples. I am recommending this book to many of our residents and fellows !

This is an essential book for any physicians or other medical personnel interested in evidence based medicine and reading of the medical literature. It is extremely well written and presents the materials in a coherent and understandable manner. It uses excellent examples to illustrate its points. We are using this text to introduct our first year medical residents to clinical epidemiology.

Clinical Epidemiology has been considered the new 'Basic Science' to medical students. This book offers a excelent approach to main problems found by beginners in this vast field of knowledge like how to deal with Statistics and with the huge number of papers published. With a easy language this book is good option to get started in this branch of Medicine now called the 'Science of the Art'.

Clinical Epidemiology has become a core element in the understanding and treatment of human illness. Defined as a method of generating valid conclusions from clinical observations, clinical epidemiology arms health practitioners with skills essential for modern health care. As a Physical Therapist (PT) I am often asked to render a diagnosis based on clinical hypotheses with "soft" measurements like pain, distress and function loss; how can I ensure that my diagnosis is correct? Traditional practice encourages the health care student to believe that knowing enough anatomy & physiology will somehow optimise health care outcomes. This book not only challenges that view but it also arms the reader with the knowledge and applicable skills to interpret research and also to ensure that any work you carry out is robust and in keeping with EBM principles. A highly recommended text and great value for money. A must for lecturers, student PT's and anyone who wonders how they can improve their critical analysis of health care practice. Don't treat patients without a copy on your shelf (assuming of course you read it...osmosis is NOT a recognised learning tool).

The authors explain the basic principles and basic concepts of clinical epidemiology in a clear and understandable way. Examples for each subject make reading pleasant and easy, contrary to what one may expect in a book of this kind.
I recommend it for every person who is related to the health sciences and interested in obtaining the best out of medical literature.

A wonderful guide book for people new to anime. Includes a overview of anime history; year by year breakdown of TV programs released in the States from the 60's to the 90's; a listing of videos released in the states (both in and out of print), and a listing of anime related clubs, retailers, and conventions. Dated now, but still a wonderful resource.

Trish Ledoux is an absolute genius, and it shows in the amount of information held within this relatively short TPB. I have never seen such a vast amount of information in so few pages. The Complete Anime Guide succeeds is giving a very thorough account of the Japanese artform without boring the reader.

With out a doubt the most complete guide I've ever seen. Not only are most of the Anime tities cover with short synopses but history, fan clubs and retailer addresses are included. A superb book

This is the best book on anime released in North America. The section on anime TV series is interesting as well as informative. It just about covers every series that aired on U.S. television. It also covers the vast genres of anime while it gives informative side notes. It also has brief synopses on a few anime titles as well as a listing of all titles released up to December 1995. To sum it up, I believe that this is the definitive source on anime released in North America. The authors really did their homework in writing this book

This is solid an knowledgeable work, and an excellent resource for anyone new to Anime (Japanese Animation). The first half of the book covers the history and culture of Anime, and is thorough and well-researched. The second half gives quick synopses of the Anime titles available on video in the US. This section is slightly weaker: it is dating rapidly (unavoidable in such a work), and the synopses tend to be back-of-the-video stuff and not always too informative. On the whole, though, well worth buying.

How can any little book presume to be 'complete' when it comes to Alfred Hitchcock?

He practically invented a cinematic language, used his commercial success to at once deflate pretense in others and experiment most boldly with cinematic form, and, in the process, scared the pants off us.

What is complete in this book? Each film is given its own section, which concludes with a "Final Analysis" section. Here's a quick cut from the final "Final Analysis" [Family Plot]:

"Hitch's last project was the most important one he ever undertook, for trying to get this spy story to the screen allowed him to entertain the fantasy that he was both still working and well enough to work, despite evidence to the contrary."

Complete? Even in the last sentence, the authors admit that death cut off what could have been even more from a great twentieth century artist.

As a novice Hitchcock fan, I find this book extremely informative. It gives a good summary of all of Hitchcock's movies as well as a good analysis of the films. It also includes where Hitchcock can be spotted in the movies and little tidbits on the actors and actresses who were casted in his movies as well as behind the scenes information. I would recommend this book for those who are starting to discover Hitchcock.

I bought this book sight-unseen, knowing absolutely nothing about it (which is why I'm now writing this review; maybe you'll be more willing to try it once you know what it has to offer). It's a thorough, well-nigh encyclopedic look at Hitch's work, with a brief chapter (averaging about 4 pages) on each major film. The chapters include complete cast and credits --including "uncredited cast" -- plus a synopsis, and sundry comments on each film under such headings as "cruelty to

animals," "mysogyny," "ice maidens," "roots," and a "final word" with a critical appraisal including a rating on a scale of 1-10. While examination of each film is necessarily brief, it's quite thorough and absolutely chock-full of cool trivia. Every now and then there are sidebars on stars with whom Hitch worked; there's also an amazing appendix listing every single episode from Hitch's TV shows (not just the ones he directed -- but ALL OF EM). Only negatives: could use an INDEX, plus I noticed several careless spelling errors (actors' names and so forth) of the type that tend to make one a bit suspicious. On the whole, however, this is THE place to start for the Hitchcock novice, and a real treasure trove for the seasoned fan like me. Highly recommended.

I see that the other reviewers have pretty much said all there needs to be said about this book and I doubt I will say anything new here. All I want to emphasize it that this is truly THE book to get for a quick, easy, complete understanding of Alfred Hitchcock's movies. I have read other,longer, deeper books on his films which were very good, yet this one is nice when you are new to Hitchcock or just do not have the time to devote to much reading. These authors have a good sense of humor as well, and it always is fun to read a book where you can get a few laughs. They have some good trivia in the book, spotlights on certain Hitchcock actors,a few pages of pictures showing some poster art and movie stills, and they tell you where to find Hitch in the movies where he had cameo appearances. Hitchcock's movies are among my favorites, and this book is among my favorites about them. Get it and read it, you won't be disappointed.

After having read this book from stem to stern I would recommend it to new Hitchcock fans and more experienced fans alike. For the new fan it offers a clear synopsis of each film as well as offering many interesting points to look for. For the more experienced it makes for a convenient "turn to" source so as to better avoid the mountains of heavy, sometimes overly self satisfied observations that many resources tend to become, thereby saving wading through chapter upon chapter in order to reach simple facts.

I must respect the authors for their understanding that an enjoyment of film does not require a degree. I always commend a person for having the ability to transfer complicated observations in the simplest of English without the use of parables and without patronizing tones. Paul Condon and Jim Sangster have managed just that and not without the occasional bit of side splitting humour. Even if you are not watching the films in question it is more than a worthy read. That said, it may help to be familiar with some English terms such as "send up" as the average American does not know what it means to send something up so may be left wondering.

However, with the authors sardonic senses of humour being clear I would have liked to have seen further elaboration of the "goofs" section. There are so many Hitchcock bloopers worthy of a mention. I am certain it was a deliberate omission (perhaps for the next book) but nonetheless I was left wishing that they had made note of the obvious ones if only to give the new viewer that added bit of fun and sport.

Despite taking umbrage at the use of the phrase "just a smathering of dull brunettes" ahum, I would gladly purchase any other offerings from either or both authors and very much look forward to a second volume of "Complete Hitchcock," contradiction that it may be. Hopefully with an eye to the slip ups and perhaps more production details (locations, circumstances, first hand anecdotes, etc.) If that isn't a hint to get writing I don't know what is : )

In short I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would not only recommend it but have already bought several other copies for friends and family. Enjoy.

The Crane is a nice, interesting story. Behind the story is is the parable of what happens when war comes. It is a great lesson in life and a great classic

Reiner Zimnik, a former carpenter, was 26 and student at the Munich Art Academy when he wrote and designed this book in 1956. The illustrations, simple black and white sketches, stayed with me all my life. The most powerful one covers two pages with a few black strokes of sky, a fallen over little shoe, a dazed bird und the scribble: "Da war das Land traurig, und die Erde weinte." (The country was sad. And the earth wept.) As an adult I might say that it's a fable about the Second World War - what was there before and what came after. As child I experienced no other book that would speak to me with such immediatness. Though it wasn't that widespread in Germany I would still say that it's our best children's book till today.

A wise and well illustrated (by the author) childrens book, that is well known in Europe, and sadly overlooked in the US. Like "The Little Prince", this book has a charm and quality that transends age. It is about a man and a crane. It is about work,life,...the big questions the big answers. Good stuff. Sadly out of print.

'The Crane' is one of the most beatifully written childrens stories of this century. It is a parable that carries many important questions about who we are and how we live. As a teacher of English, I have found this book a remarkable resource and one that really allows for differentiation of learning with children around 11-12. It is a funny, sad and very touching story and I emplore somebody to reprint it, so that more people can access this wonderfull book. Why it isn't more widely known I do not understand.

I read this every summer at my grandma's. I never quite understood it, and I didn't quite like it but I did keep coming back to it. It's something of a fairy tale and something of a philosophical tale. If I had to describe it now I would call it hauntingly beautiful.

I have met Dr. DeCherney. He has done a wonderful job on this useful text.

I used this book to study for my women's health exam and found the book user friendly.

Best choice for medical students who desire an introduction to Obstetrics an Gynecology. Includes guidelines for treatment. The first book at this speciallity for newcomers.

As a busy 4th yr resident, there is hardly any time to read the major OB/GYN textbooks. This text is a good review of major concepts in OB/GYN. It's a very easy read.

I used this book as a supplement to my 3rd year clerkship in med school. It is not a huge text, so it was great for looking up the details that were not found in Blueprints, especially if you are interested in OB for a career. The book is well organized and is easy to read. Too much to read for board review or shelf exams, but an excellent reference book for OB/GYN.

Book is very helpful and should be bought early during med school. It will make sure that you know frequently tested topics. Also great along w/ first aid for board prep. There are a few mistakes as this is a 1st edition book, but the book is well worth $20.

This book is not all encompassing however it does bring back into mind high yield facts that you should know. I would recommend using this book in conjuction with the First Aid

Just be careful when you go through this book, because there are quite a few typos. Usually it's nothing important, but once in a while it may confuse phase I and phase II, for example :). But again, it is not intended to be an ultimate resourse, so just be attentive not to confuse yourself.

Otherwise, this is a truly terrific book, and I still give it 5 stars because I certainly prefer to have it now, with the typos, rather then wait till all the little things are cleared. It helps me to structurize my studies so much, that I really cannot imagine what I'd be doing without it.

2Authors: Great job! Thank you very much!

I used this book as a quick review in the final days before my step I exam and scored much higher than I expected. I found it to be a great resource.

Deja Review is an innovative approach for Step 1 recall. I used this book as my primary resource and did outstanding on boards. Buy this book...you won't regret it!

I fell in love with Miss King's writings years ago when I read "Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady," her memoir of growing up in Washington, DC with somewhat(!) eccentric parents, grandmother, and assorted friends and neighbors. Finding "Deja Reviews" and rereading her memoir brought me a long weekend of totally pleasurable reading.

Her reviews make me want to read almost everything she read - so many books, so little time... She is funny, her observations are trenchant, and she does not suffer fools gladly.

What I want to know is where is she now? I sorely miss her.

One of the oddest fallouts fro the past eight years under Bush is finding the campfire that attracts the learned and wise is of mixed ideology. Where once national debates were between best and the brightest of liberals and conservatives, debates have been replaced by the shimmering that passes for combat on American Idol and the winner is the one who best bolsters an audiences' self-esteem, leaving those who once led the nation to higher levels of greatness huddled alone by a relatively small light in the dark.

Miss Florence King is a conservative voice of the most conservative kind and after enjoying her arch and historically solid opinion, deeply rooted in culture and criticism, this liberal knows that our country will not be healed until the likes of her again form the opposition.

I discovered Florence King while taking a history class at her undergrad Alma Mater - American University in Washington D.C. - where one of her books, Southern Ladies and Gentleman was used as a primer of sorts for class covering the South since Reconstruction. I became a real fan of her writing and writing style, which is possibly the best in American publishing not only of our time, but of all time.

While her only fiction book was a let down, King excels as an essayist, critic and commentator of American life, politics and social comment. Her writing style is something that every person who takes pen to paper believes (mistakenly) that they are using - its concise wording gets to the point and almost jabs you in the eye with its simplicity and ability to convey her thoughts while changing your mind. Think of King as the ultimate guest at your dinner party of dreams, polite, but ready to snip any loose threads of conversation off lest they dangle in the air and cloud her view.

While I am loath to bring this name up, I will say that I believe Ann Coulter probably thinks that she is a writer on par with Ms. King. She is not. I do bring her name up for one reason: Coulter represents the opposite end of the spectrum on which King "write-fully" (bad pun intended) sits, making King the Grand Dame of true Conservative commentary and writing.

In reading King, park your political beliefs at the door and luxuriate in her keen eye for word usage, grammar and thought. If you are so foolish as to approach her writing with any preconceived notions as to your own beliefs, she will skewer you just as the dim wit that you you know you are not. King is not the type of person to suffer fools wisely.

If our national culture were really based upon the high lofty ideals that we think that it is, King would be a regular on Sunday morning political shows, putting their hosts in their place. But alas, America and Americans are a vapid lot, and thus we get what we deserve: Ann Coulter distracting us from her unfounded and outrageous opinions by wearing a little black dress like a hooker on her way home from a Saturday night job.

But we have King in print. While she doesn't enjoy the book sales that Coulter does, Kings works will bear the test of time and one day she will receive the type of honors due her as a real American treasure that she is.

I've long described Florence King as my favorite living writer (my favorite writer, period, is Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn, who -- probably not coincidentally -- also wrote for "National Review" for many years). Yet I have avoided reviewing her books here, not only for fear of not doing them justice, but also because so much of how I try to review books has come from reading Florence King's own reviews. At what point is the pupil ready to grade the master?

Reviews are an art at which Miss King excels, which is why I was so happy to discover an advertisement for "Deja Reviews" a few months ago. This volume is a wonderful companion to "STET, Damnit!," the collection of her "Misanthrope's Corner" columns NR published a couple of years ago. "Deja Reviews" assembles about five-dozen pieces from NR and "The American Spectator." Most of them are reviews, but there are also a number of non-review essays including some NR pieces that weren't in the "Misanthrope's Corner."

Miss King is sharp of eye, wit, and pen. She famously has no patience with idiocy, and best of all possesses a wonderful facility with the language. I was about to call it a "gift," but I imagine she might object, rightly, to that word: she has worked hard over many years to hone her skills. It's not a "gift," but the product of time, energy, and mental commitment. I remember her writing once in the "Misanthrope's Corner" that she turned down invitations to go on television to discuss one or another of her columns. "If I had anything more to say, I'd have put it in the piece." I so admire Miss King not only for what she writes, but also for the effort she puts into her writing.

Her effort and skill make for a great reading experience. You don't have to be familiar with the books she's reviewing to enjoy what she's written about them. These essays are up to her usual high standards for style, humor, and dead-eye insight. As with her earlier collection, there's no index in this book, but that just means I'll once again be filling the flyleaves with my own notations. I imagine I'll learn a lot more about the art of book reviewing, and have a wonderful, entertaining time doing it.

These are reviews you turn to over and over again, always with pleasure, always with astonishment. With forever the question: Just how did she turn that phrase that way and capture both the essence of the book and its aims and failures?"

In a better world, Stephen King would be forgotten and Ph.D.'s in literature would be written on Florence King's oeuvre, for her erudition is astonishing, and her work cries out for annotated editions. These collected reviews are no exception, for she tackles everything from history to feminism to biography (her review of Strom Thurmond's life is one of the finest sustained passages of prose in English belles letters). All extremely well written, all as funny as hell.

One peaks at her soul for a reincarnation of Rabelais and Voltaire, for she is as burlesque as the former, and as poignant as the latter. To be reviewed by Florence King is to cower in fear of a withering aside that will haunt you to the grave. I am sure those who have suffered here have even the typeface of more than a few of these sentences burned into their memory.

In summary, this is a work of timeless scholarship and an exemplar of American prose that should stand as a ready textbook for the art of the review. A joy, a revelation, a hearty laugh, a stimulated intellect, a new fact, a valued friend, a companion voice, a hope for the future, and a pleasure of spirit are all available to those who read Florence King. Get it today.

Never a dull moment! Rothbard was a loose cannon. A great, crazy, untamed, brilliant, passionate, wide-ranging political philosopher, intellectual historian, economist, and activist. How mant people could talk about anything from the nominal interest rate to Henry George and always make it fresh and fascinating? Read this book and meet the genius who handed Robert Nozick his famous political philosophy.

A "red diaper baby" from New York City, Rothbard must be considered, along with his two mentors Ayn Rand and Ludwig von Mises, a founder of the "libertarian" movement, which is essentially a return to the original, pre-socialist, classical, laissez-faire liberalism of John Locke and the American Founding Fathers.

The book consists of 15 essays: and includes the seminal 1965 must-read classic "Left, Right and the Prospects for Liberty," a delightful little intellectual history of modern times, at once timely and timeless. Like Rothbard, it's a unique and inspiring original which defies description and must be experienced first hand. It doesn't matter what your political prejudices are, you'll still enjoy expanding your mental horizon with this classic book of essays.

The author faces and refutes simultaneously the dogmas of the old left - central planning, collectivization of economic life and State interventionism - and the fallacies of the new left - identity politics, kids lib, gender equality, environmentalism and primitivism, that one the most correct definition I've ever seen being used to characterize the movement of political correctness.

Based on Mises' thought, Rothbard reminds us a truth that is hated by all the left, old or new: our world is ruled by a natural order, transcendent and superior to the man (although perfectly knowledgeable by that one), composed by physical, biological and economical laws; consequently, her existence implies that all human action must be conducted by her strict observance, in order to avoid the disastrous and tragic consequences produced by the opposite behaviour, which is typical of the leftist policies.

This is the first book by Rothbard that I read, although I was already familiar with those of his writings that can be found on the Internet.

Without always agreeing completely with Rothbard - I think he has a tendency to be somewhat too consistent at times - I have always found his work to be very funny and thought-provoking. This collection contains two truly remarkable essays: "Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature" and especially "Freedom, Inequality, Primitivism, and the Division of Labor". Rothbard actually takes the trouble to take Marxists at their word and to examine, not only the means, but also the ends. It turns out even the goals sincere Marxists fight for - as opposed to the cruel realities they have always somehow succeeded in creating - are totally at odds with human nature.

The other essays, if sometimes a tad too "American" for this European reader, live up to Rothbard's usual high standards. The only essay that I found somewhat unconvincing was "Conservation in the Free Market". Rothbard doesn't seem to have thought it important to save areas of unspoilt nature; he doesn't even examine that possibility. But then perhaps there is another essay by him somewhere in which there is an answer to that question? If so, I'm looking forward to read it!

Murray Rothbard was one of the most important thinkers in recent memory. He made substantial contributions to economics, political theory, social theory, history and cultural criticism. Unfortunately, there is no "Rothbard Reader" that gives the reader an overview of his contributions to all these fields.

Nonetheless, this collection of Rothbard's essays - which came out in 1974 - is probably the best place to start if you want to get an overview of Rothbard's contributions, at least in the areas of political theory, social theory, and (some) cultural criticism. (The second edition appears to be identical to the first edition, except that it contains a brief 1991 "postscript" by Rothbard and a useful introduction by Dr. David Gordon.)

The title essay - Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature - is a seminal essay. Politicians love to lecture us on the supposed equality of men; however, as Rothbard shows, it is inequality that is fundamental. The leftist drive for equality is contrary to human nature. Rothbard picks up this theme again in Freedom, Inequality, Primitivism, and the Division of Labor. He shows that the drive for equality is a direct attack on the division of labor. As such, it will only serve to impoverish everyone (rich and poor alike).

This collection also contains two outstanding essays on the state: The Anatomy of the State; and War, Peace, and the State. In the second, Rothbard makes a strong case for peace and against weapons of mass destruction.

There are at least three other collections of Rothbard's works available. The first -- Making Economic Sense -- is a collection of short essays on economics. The second -- The Irrepressible Rothbard -- is a collection of his essays in the Rothbard-Rockwell Report which focus on cultural criticism. So, if you combine these works with Egalitarianism, you get a "reader" that contains 1190 pages - and you still haven't hit Rothbard the historian! That shows the tremendous breadth of his scholarship. The third is The Logic of Action I and II. These were published after his death and contain two or three of the essays in Egalitariansm and some of his later essays. In addition, they are more focused on Rothbard the economist.

But the best advice is that of Dr. Gordon: get everything you can get your hands on by Rothbard and von Mises.

I have long used Rothbard's writing as an ideal in rhetorical mimesis exercises. He presents complicated issues with unrivalled clarity and concision. For example, in his essay "Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature," Rothbard takes on a difficult rhetorical challenge: he seeks to undercut the commonplace belief in equality. This brilliant essay combines logos and pathos in a way few authors can, as when he examines fictional accounts of true egalitarian societies:

"The horror we all instinctively feel at these stories is the intuitive recognition that men are not uniform, that the species, mankind, is uniquely characterized by a high degree of variety, diversity, differentiation; in short, inequality. An egalitarian society can only hope to achieve its goals by totalitarian methods of coercion; and, even here, we all believe and hope the human spirit of individual man will rise up and thwart any such attempts to achieve an ant-heap world. In short, the portrayal of an egalitarian society is horror fiction because, when the implications of such a world are fully spelled out, we recognize that such a world and such attempts are profoundly antihuman; being antihuman in the deepest sense, the egalitarian goal is, therefore, evil and any attempts in the direction of such a goal must be considered evil as well."

Other reviewers do an able job of explaining Rothbard's thinking; my review provides you with some idea of the emotional force of his writing. This is an important collection of essays by an important American thinker.