Best Books on Socialism

This searing nonfiction book is a towering masterpiece of world literature that explores four decades of terror and oppression in the Soviet Union. Through Solzhenitsyn's own experiences and the testimonies of over 200 fellow prisoners, we witness the state within the state that ruled all-powerfully. This abridged version, authorized by the author, features a new foreword by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anne Applebaum. Solzhenitsyn's literary genius has created a literary miracle that is both a gripping historical record and an astonishing indictment of a political regime.

This insightful and thought-provoking analysis examines the reasons behind the failure of state-planning efforts around the world, from Russia to Tanzania. Drawing on a range of case studies, the author uncovers the common conditions that lead to disasters in social and environmental engineering projects. Praised as a "tour de force" by Columbia University's Charles Tilly, this is a beautifully written book that provides a sharp understanding of the world we inhabit today.

This classic work in political philosophy, intellectual and cultural history, and economics explores the dangers of state control over the means of production. Originally published in 1944, The Road to Serfdom inspired and infuriated politicians and intellectuals. For author F. A. Hayek, empowering the government with increasing economic control would lead not to utopia but to the horrors of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. A perennial bestseller, the book has sold 400,000 copies in the US and has been translated into over twenty languages. This new edition includes a foreword, standardization of references, and helpful explanatory notes.

Discover the true dangers of socialism with this powerful book. Senator Rand Paul tackles common misconceptions about the “utopia” of socialist Europe and exposes the devastating truth of this deadly ideology. From Stalin’s gulags to the current famine in Venezuela, he reveals how socialism has killed millions. If socialism takes hold in America, it will imperil the fate of the world’s freest nation, unleashing a plague of oppressive government control. The Case Against Socialism is a timely response to that threat and a call to action against the forces menacing American liberty.

Explore the curious history of the Soviet Union's planned economy and the brief moment in the late 1950s when the dream of an abundance of goods seemed to be working. With the leadership of Khrushchev, the Soviet Union dreamed of a future of rich communists and envious capitalists, where Moscow would outshine Manhattan and every Lada would be better engineered than a Porsche. Red Plenty is a unique blend of history and fiction that takes readers on a fascinating journey through the minds of the brilliant scientists who did their best to make this fantasy come true. Get ready for an ambitious, uncompromising and pleasantly unexpected read.

A powerful and unsettling novel, this book follows the story of Rubashov, a former Bolshevik revolutionary who is imprisoned and tried for treason by the Soviet government. Through his psychological torment, we witness the terrible irony and betrayal of totalitarian regimes that masquerade as agents of liberation. A gripping and thought-provoking read that still resonates in today's world.

Discover the shocking and tragic history of the Soviet Communist Party's strike against the Russian peasantry in the 20th century. The Harvest of Sorrow covers the devastating effects of dekulakization and collectivization, followed by the horrific "terror-famine" inflicted on the collectivized peasants of Ukraine and other areas. Estimated death tolls from these actions exceed 14.5 million lives. This thoroughly researched and emotionally compelling book serves as a powerful reminder of the darker side of history.

The Great Terror by Robert Conquest is a definitive work on Stalin's purges, called "brilliant" and a "work of scholarship and literary craftsmanship". Conquest blends profound research with evocative prose to provide gripping accounts of everything from the three great "Moscow Trials" to life in the labor camps. This updated edition features a new preface by Conquest and new material published in Moscow and elsewhere, making it the key study of one of the twentieth century's most lethal offenses against humanity.

In "Socialism," Ludwig von Mises presents a comprehensive analysis of society, comparing the results of socialist planning with those of free-market capitalism in all areas of life. This newly annotated edition is the definitive refutation of nearly every type of socialism ever devised, making it a must-read for anyone interested in economics or politics. Friedrich Hayek's foreword comments on the continuing relevance of this great work, which has had a profound and lasting impact on readers for decades.

Discover an influential essay that reshaped the economics of socialism. This essay challenged the socialist paradigm, proving that socialism can't distinguish between more or less valuable uses of social resources, and predicted chaos. This new edition contains a modern afterword that applies the calculation argument to contemporary problems like business regulation and environmentalism. It's a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the foundations of modern Austrian price theory, the price system, purely free markets, and sound money.