Whoo hoo! Yesterday we struck a deal with Praeger for a special softcover printing of Libertarianism Today by J.H. Huebert, which readers have said is the most important updating of Rothbard’s For A New Liberty to yet appear. I’m excited about the book, especially because it is the first seriously principled libertarian book to weave into its thesis the many advances that have occurred in the area of intellectual property.
It is readable, thorough, analytically rigorous, and very well researched and written. It will be out in July 2010.
To the point: the book was going to be too expensive. We couldn’t even carry it. It might have landed in libraries and died there. But after negotiations, we ended up with what will be a Mises.org exclusive: a softcover edition just for us that is very affordable. So, yes, I’m fired up about this.
I also had an interesting discussion with the publisher about putting the book online. Of course they won’t do that, but they will let us run chapters, which is good. I told them our own experience with putting all sources online and the person I spoke to was in full agreement. In fact, he said, many people there agree and are pushing for this. But we are dealing with large staffs and old traditions and it is a very risky business. They aren’t ready to take that plunge yet.
Markets don’t fail but firms make mistakes and this is one of them. The time will come. I’m just happy that we’ve played a part in making sure that this wonderful book will reach the broadest possible audience.
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Great entrepreneurship and great news for all of us.
Sounds good. Will probably get it.
Great news.
How about selling an ebook (pdf, epub) version? That would be very helpful for overseas residents. The cost of shipping can far exceed the cost of the book.
Rothbard’s “For a New Liberty” changed by life. Can’t wait to read Huebert’s book. This seems like a good time to thank the Mises Institute for putting “For a New Liberty” on iTunes. I might not have ever read it.
“Markets don’t fail but firms make mistakes and this is one of them. ”
I agree completely. But this sentence assumes IP is just property since “markets” are environments where property is exchanged. In this case the publisher isnt using its property wisely, which happens all the time in markets as Jeff pointed out.
It is never the less a good Freuduen slip coming from Jeff actually acknowledging property rights.
And of course congratulations on the deal. I can not wait.
tibuk:
jeff, i think, is aware how legislation “creates” property, where none previously existed. and of course monopoly privilege can be traded.
you’re clutching at straws.
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