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How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World: A Handbook for Personal Liberty
In 1973 Harry Browne sent a simple message -- that you can live the life you want to live. 40 years after the publication of How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World, it is now being reissued in digital format -- to reach the millions of people around the world that are still seeking a point of view that is as refreshing, and liberating as it was when it first appeared on the scene.
From the book:
Freedom is the opportunity to live your life as you want to live it. And that is possible, even if others remain as they are.
If you’re not free now, it might be because you’ve been preoccupied with the people or institutions that you feel have restrained your freedom. I don’t expect you to stop worrying about them merely because I suggest that you do.
I do hope to show you, though, that those people and institutions are relatively powerless to stop you — once you decide how you will achieve your freedom. There are things you can do to be free, and if you turn your attention to those things, no one will stand in your way. But when you become preoccupied with those who are blocking you, you overlook the many alternatives you could use to bypass them.
The freedom you seek is already available to you, but it has gone unnoticed. There probably are two basic reasons you haven’t taken advantage of that freedom.
One reason is that you’re unaware of the many alternatives available to you.
From the book:
Freedom is the opportunity to live your life as you want to live it. And that is possible, even if others remain as they are.
If you’re not free now, it might be because you’ve been preoccupied with the people or institutions that you feel have restrained your freedom. I don’t expect you to stop worrying about them merely because I suggest that you do.
I do hope to show you, though, that those people and institutions are relatively powerless to stop you — once you decide how you will achieve your freedom. There are things you can do to be free, and if you turn your attention to those things, no one will stand in your way. But when you become preoccupied with those who are blocking you, you overlook the many alternatives you could use to bypass them.
The freedom you seek is already available to you, but it has gone unnoticed. There probably are two basic reasons you haven’t taken advantage of that freedom.
One reason is that you’re unaware of the many alternatives available to you.
387 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1973
429 people are currently reading
4708 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
October 20, 2014
The basic idea of this book is that you should spend less time making your happiness contingent on activities that require lots of people to adopt in order to work, and to instead spend more time focusing on yourself to more easily live the life you want. For example: instead of devoting lots of time and energy to advocating for various social causes or political candidates, you should instead focus on removing yourself from various "traps" in life that keep you unnecessarily depressed or unfulfilled. Browne defines a number of these traps that he thinks keep people on treadmills and prevent them from living a more truthful life.
Overall it's a great message and I thought that the chapters "freedom from insecurity" and "freedom from pretense" were particularly good. But he goes off the deep end here and there, which I suspect is due to the fact that it was published in the 1970's and has some of the worst elements of the 60's "do what feels good" counterculture webbed with conventional libertarianism. I don't think, for example, that putting one's children up for adoption is something that anybody should do just because those children are preventing the parents form living a more authentic life.
There are other problems, too. There really are challenges that require widespread collective action, and the world is clearly much better due to the countless people who have devoted themselves to solving those problems, even at the expense of their own happiness. The world would be a worse place if everyone took their constraints as a given and followed this book to a T.
But the world probably would be a better place if more people read this book and adapted its better messages to their day to day life. There's more than enough good stuff here to counteract the silliness, and I don't think you'll see a similar message from many other sources. So, 4 stars from me.
Overall it's a great message and I thought that the chapters "freedom from insecurity" and "freedom from pretense" were particularly good. But he goes off the deep end here and there, which I suspect is due to the fact that it was published in the 1970's and has some of the worst elements of the 60's "do what feels good" counterculture webbed with conventional libertarianism. I don't think, for example, that putting one's children up for adoption is something that anybody should do just because those children are preventing the parents form living a more authentic life.
There are other problems, too. There really are challenges that require widespread collective action, and the world is clearly much better due to the countless people who have devoted themselves to solving those problems, even at the expense of their own happiness. The world would be a worse place if everyone took their constraints as a given and followed this book to a T.
But the world probably would be a better place if more people read this book and adapted its better messages to their day to day life. There's more than enough good stuff here to counteract the silliness, and I don't think you'll see a similar message from many other sources. So, 4 stars from me.
January 5, 2018
PART I
The Identity Traps
1) The belief that you should be someone other than yourself
2) The assumption that others will do things in the way you would
The Intellectual Trap
1) the belief that your emotions should conform to a preconceived standard
The Emotional Trap
1) the belief that you can make important decisions at a time when you’re feeling strong emotions
The Morality Trap
1) the belief that you must obey a moral code created by someone else
Personal Morality: an attempt to consider all the relevant consequences of your
actions
Universal Morality: a code of conduct that is presumed to bring happiness to
anyone who uses it - author does not believe it exists
Absolute Morality: a set of rules to which an individual is expected to surrender his own happiness
The Unselfishness Trap
1) the belief that you must put the happiness of others ahead of your own
The Group Trap:
1) the belief that you can accomplish more by sharing responsibilities, efforts, and rewards with others than you can by acting on your own
The Government Traps:
1) the belief that governments perform socially useful functions that deserve your support
2) the belief that you have a duty to obey laws
3) the belief that the government can be counted upon to carry out a social reform you favor
4) the fear that the government is so powerful that it can prevent you from being free
The Despair Trap
1) the belief that other people can prevent you from being free
The Rights Trap
1) the belief that your rights will set you free
The Utopia Trap
1) the belief that you must create better conditions in society before you can be free
The Burning-Issue Trap
1) the belief that there are compelling social issues that require your participation
The Previous-Investment Trap
1) the belief that time, effort, and money spent in the past must be considered when making a decision in the present
The Box Trap
1) the assumption that the cost of getting out of a bad situation is too great to consider
The Certainty Trap
1) the urge to act as if your information were totally certain
PART II
Freedom from Government
1) Don't be awed by it
2) Don't confront it
3) Don't organize
Freedom from Social Restrictions
1) Realize there is no such thing as a "safe" code of conduct
Freedom from Bad Relationships
1) Don't think in terms of groups
2) Limit the relationship to what you have in common
3) Don't attempt to perpetuate a relationship by contract
In summary, let others be free
Freedom from Marriage Problems
1) Don't get married - it's just a contract between 2 people and the government
Freedom from Jealousy Problems
1) Jealousy is an emotion and cannot be avoided when felt - just bring it out into the open and address the issue
2) Imagine the worst case scenario (jealousy-wise) until it no longer bothers you emotionally
Freedom from Family Problems
1) Be civil but firm with your beliefs
Freedom from Business Problems
1) Contract for services rather than making them partners
2) Deal with individuals on their own basis, not as a group
3) Don't form contracts that will extend past the time of usefulness
Freedom from Insecurity
1) Self-reliance
2) Vigilance
3) Honesty with yourself
Freedom from Exploitation
1) Don't let people take advantage of you
Freedom from Pretense
1) Being honest saves yourself a lot of hassle trying to cover up small lies
PART III
Who Are You?
1) Past Experiences: what events in the past made you completely and utterly happy and consumed with joy?
2) Daydreams: what fantasies that you imagine make you extremely happy? Pretend you could have that dream while pretending there is nothing in your way.
3) Try New Things: if you don't currently feel joy at any activities, try new ones until you do and try to make the decision based on how YOU feel, not others feelings
Personal Morality
1) In what circumstances would you steal, if ever?
2) How honest should you be? Do different relationships require different levels of honesty? If so, on what basis do you keep that level appropriate to the relationship?
3) When would you use physical force to protect yourself? In what circumstances would you use it to get what you want? To what extent would you use it to repel an intruder from your property?
4) In what circumstances would you go to the aid of a stranger? When would it be unrealistic to do so?
5) Would you interfere to stop a fight between a friend and someone else? Between two strangers?
6) In what circumstances would you accept a government subsidy?
7) What is the limit to wish you will satisfy your parents wishes? Your friend's wishes? Your spouse's wishes?
8) How much sympathy, attention, or help are you willing to give your friends? Is there a limit? What is that limit?
9) In what circumstances should you not act sexually as you want to at that moment?
10) Are there any circumstances in which you would allow your own desires to be overruled by a group decision? If so, what circumstances?
11) How involved should you be with someone whose answers to the above questions are quite different from yours? Which of these issues involved are the most critical to you?
Understand and mentally live the consequences to each of your answers and how they would affect current and future relationships.
Is Your Life What You Want It To Be?
1) Make a list of what you do with the 168 hours each week and give them labels
*good, bad, indifferent
*positive (choose to make happy), negative (choose to avoid unhappiness)
*active (i chose), passive (others chose)
*enjoyment, past mistakes, productive - short term, long-term, never
2) Start from Zero vision: imagine your perfect life starting with a blank slate. Take steps later to try to attain various items in this vision.
September 29, 2014
This book has about equal parts wisdom and foolishness. Harry Browne was once the libertarian candidate for president (well after writing this book). So, perhaps it was fitting that I read this book in the form of a PDF that someone had posted for free on the internet. (Ha!)
The book is generally about personal responsibility--taking stock of what you are doing in the world, figuring out whether it makes sense for you, and if not, taking responsibility for changing it. His attitude has a definite affinity with Stoicism--rigorously assessing which things are under your control and which are not, and focusing your energies on the former. But, like the author of "The Road Less Traveled," a somewhat similar book that I recently read, Browne doesn't make reference to Stoicism or really any external touchpoints. It's forgivable given the book's colloquial style, but I think Browne also likes to portray himself as someone who just worked a bunch of stuff out himself. (Which, who knows, maybe he is.)
There is also what I would call a bunch of dumb libertarian stuff. He professes himself unable to comprehend why people would want a government to do things that they hadn't already privately contracted to do, as though there were no such things as market failures or collective action problems. He sets unrealistically high bars for government success; at one point, he essentially says that police are worthless because they can't stop every crime from happening. Interestingly, he talks a fair amount in the book about how it is worthless to be involved in politics, and about how marriage is a terrible idea, but in an afterword he mentions that he both ran for president and got married! It's definitely to his credit that he does own up to changing his mind on these things. The reasons he expresses, particularly for marriage, are very much "normal" reasons. Essentially, it seems like practice ended up trumping theory.
The book is generally about personal responsibility--taking stock of what you are doing in the world, figuring out whether it makes sense for you, and if not, taking responsibility for changing it. His attitude has a definite affinity with Stoicism--rigorously assessing which things are under your control and which are not, and focusing your energies on the former. But, like the author of "The Road Less Traveled," a somewhat similar book that I recently read, Browne doesn't make reference to Stoicism or really any external touchpoints. It's forgivable given the book's colloquial style, but I think Browne also likes to portray himself as someone who just worked a bunch of stuff out himself. (Which, who knows, maybe he is.)
There is also what I would call a bunch of dumb libertarian stuff. He professes himself unable to comprehend why people would want a government to do things that they hadn't already privately contracted to do, as though there were no such things as market failures or collective action problems. He sets unrealistically high bars for government success; at one point, he essentially says that police are worthless because they can't stop every crime from happening. Interestingly, he talks a fair amount in the book about how it is worthless to be involved in politics, and about how marriage is a terrible idea, but in an afterword he mentions that he both ran for president and got married! It's definitely to his credit that he does own up to changing his mind on these things. The reasons he expresses, particularly for marriage, are very much "normal" reasons. Essentially, it seems like practice ended up trumping theory.
October 2, 2008
A query from a friend prompts me to explain my four-star rating here. It was about 10 years ago that I read the book and I remember at the time that I liked it very much; I probably would have given it five stars then. But a long time has passed and I do not want to trust my judgement from that time. At the time Harry Browne (the author) was the Libertarian Party presidential candidate, and I was rather a fan of him. I recommended him to many people as a man of integrity. Later on I had reason to doubt this, when I read some investigative reporting in Liberty Magazine, by the editor, Bill Winter, about the spending practices of the campaign, and some other practices which were seemingly in violation of the Libertarian Party bylaws. (The particular bylaws were intended to prevent conflicts of interest between presidential campaigns and Libertarian Party staff.) I was pretty upset by all this, as I had, in my opinion, put my own reputation on the line when I recommended him to other people as a man of integrity. I'm sure he had his reasons for what he did, and that they seemed honorable to him at the time, but I feel reasonably comfortable saying that being under the pressure of being a presidential candidate probably clouded his better judgement at the time.
I soon lost interest in the Libertarian Party, and a year or so after that, I lost interest in Liberty Magazine. The mag had been getting more and more annoying to me, but the turning point was one article I read that was basically telling "closet anarchists in the party" to get lost. Get lost I did. Bill Winter is very cool, and many others there, but WAY too often those Libertarians are just Republicans dolled up like they care about more than their balance of accounts.
So given all this, and the fact that it was 10 years ago or so when I read the book, I can't claim to be able to make an impartial review on the How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World. What I remember about it was, it was very simple and straightforward, and contained a lot of useful advice. Tthe author never had a problem with drug addictions of whatever kind and didn't have any useful advice about that, which in my mind, rather limits the usefulness of the book to many of us looking for that elusive Freedom thing.
I soon lost interest in the Libertarian Party, and a year or so after that, I lost interest in Liberty Magazine. The mag had been getting more and more annoying to me, but the turning point was one article I read that was basically telling "closet anarchists in the party" to get lost. Get lost I did. Bill Winter is very cool, and many others there, but WAY too often those Libertarians are just Republicans dolled up like they care about more than their balance of accounts.
So given all this, and the fact that it was 10 years ago or so when I read the book, I can't claim to be able to make an impartial review on the How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World. What I remember about it was, it was very simple and straightforward, and contained a lot of useful advice. Tthe author never had a problem with drug addictions of whatever kind and didn't have any useful advice about that, which in my mind, rather limits the usefulness of the book to many of us looking for that elusive Freedom thing.
December 28, 2013
Although it's from 40 years ago (and sometimes it shows), it's mostly still relevant, insightful and provocative today.
After all, it's about human beings and life, and those never go out of fashion. ;-)
Despite me already being a fierce lover and supporter of freedom, this book still taught me (and made me think) a lot. The author knows what he's talking about, and he walked his talk.
Besides, his writing is smooth and easy flowing (if a bit repetitive).
If you're serious about your freedom, and/or you'd really want to improve your quality of life, this book will most likely give you good inspirations.
I only found two real drawbacks:
- The author sounds excessively individualistic, self-centered (ok about the freedom, but if you don't give a damn about others, you're prone to be an a**hole).
- The author's viewpoint about government and its shortcomings is unrealistic and way biased. Despite his intelligence, the author is so prejudiced and emotional about government, he simply cannot admit that governments have pros AND cons (like anything else).
Hence, I advise you to read the chapters about government with a good pinch of salt.
My rating: 4,5 stars.
5 stars for being insightful, inspiring, provocative, and down to earth.
Minus half star for the anti-government bias (but it's so obvious it cannot fool the average reader).
After all, it's about human beings and life, and those never go out of fashion. ;-)
Despite me already being a fierce lover and supporter of freedom, this book still taught me (and made me think) a lot. The author knows what he's talking about, and he walked his talk.
Besides, his writing is smooth and easy flowing (if a bit repetitive).
If you're serious about your freedom, and/or you'd really want to improve your quality of life, this book will most likely give you good inspirations.
I only found two real drawbacks:
- The author sounds excessively individualistic, self-centered (ok about the freedom, but if you don't give a damn about others, you're prone to be an a**hole).
- The author's viewpoint about government and its shortcomings is unrealistic and way biased. Despite his intelligence, the author is so prejudiced and emotional about government, he simply cannot admit that governments have pros AND cons (like anything else).
Hence, I advise you to read the chapters about government with a good pinch of salt.
My rating: 4,5 stars.
5 stars for being insightful, inspiring, provocative, and down to earth.
Minus half star for the anti-government bias (but it's so obvious it cannot fool the average reader).
March 3, 2018
This book was recommended on a financial independence podcast over a year ago. I routinely checked every used book store I went into and eventually found it at Powell's in Portland. It was not on the shelf but hidden away in the back in a protective covering. What a build up!
I had long forgotten why the book was recommend and assumed it had some money tips. It turns out I was reading a book about Libertarianism.
The book goes through many “traps” that we put ourselves in that keep us from being “free.”
The main one in the book is the Identity Trap. Which is a two pronged belief that
- You should try to be somebody other than yourself
- Other people will do things in the same way you would
The author expands on this and says that “common sense” to you may not be that to others. Every person won’t react to a situation the way you would. Unfortunately, people (including me) are often oblivious to this. You need to train yourself to remember it.
A free man accepts who they are. You can choose things that will make you happy. You don’t need to feel guilty or worried or embarrassed about what makes you happy as long as it doesn’t infringe on other people's freedom.
Don’t feign interest in topics that are boring in order to appear smart. Don’t be intimidated by intellectual standards. You are the sovereign ruler of your life. You don’t have to mould to social norms.
A common problem, and one that I suffer from, is being told you should be happy because you are doing things that we are told should make us happy. “Your life is great.”
Regularly getting in touch with what makes you happy and 100% living in that feeling so it washes over you is being free.
Another trap is the belief that you should care about homeless people or animals (or anything you don't care about) and feel guilty when you don’t. This is a morality trap that says you should feel a certain way because of some predefined morality that someone else created for everybody to follow. Instead you should define your own moral code that is in sync with how you want to live.
Part of being free is allowing other people to be free too. Accept them as they are. Don’t try to change them because then you are taking away their freedom. You can only change how you deal with people, not the people themselves. Keep relationships only in the places they are mutually beneficial. Not all friends will be best friends. I “broke up” with a friend last year for this very reason.
People throw away their lives living it as other people have dictated they should (many years before they were born). They are tied by “paper chains.”
There are two ways to try to change a situation:
- Indirect: changing others to get what you want
- Direct: doing something that only requires yourself to get what you want
The author goes on to talk about how there are really no rules in this life. You don’t need permission to do anything. Rules are just a way for Government to control people. This is where the book moves into Libertarianism. It describes how the Government enforce all laws by violence. This violence goes against the Non-aggression principle of Libertarians.
Understand that nobody owes you anything. Don’t try to be all things to all people. Changing yourself when you meet people to make them like you will never make you free.
You can get in a car and just leave your whole circumstances at the drop of a hat.
People have midlife crises because they are sick of the life they have gotten into. The decisions they made when they were younger have left them not free. Midlife crises should not be seen as a bad thing. It is a person finally getting free.
Government is not as powerful as you think. Crimes wouldn’t be such a problem if they were.
The Government system is in place now. So the author suggests just avoiding it. For example, you should just start a business and make money, don’t figure out all the laws first.
Repeatedly remind yourself that “society” is not real. It just a system of control. People have bought in but that doesn’t change that it doesn’t exist.
Don’t hide who you are. Display all of your nerdy hobbies out in the open. Being yourself is a skill. It takes time to become thoroughly acquainted with yourself to throw off a lifetime of pressure to relax and accept what you see in yourself.
Practice regularly asking in a moment “is this what I want?” and changing it if not.
It is an easy life when you stop trying to be all things to all people.
Why resign yourself to a life you don’t care for?
You make every decision. Sometimes you feel you ‘have’ to do something but you really don’t.
Some people don’t want this freedom. They prefer a ready made morality. To know they are good and right. They look for a leader to tell them they are doing well. These people will never be free.
You don’t have to be successful/in shape/rich/nice/hard working if that doesn’t interest you. I personally struggle with this. I’m also very judgemental of people I feel are lazy or wasting potential.
“Life is to be enjoyed, to be tasted - or there's not any point to it.”
I had long forgotten why the book was recommend and assumed it had some money tips. It turns out I was reading a book about Libertarianism.
The book goes through many “traps” that we put ourselves in that keep us from being “free.”
The main one in the book is the Identity Trap. Which is a two pronged belief that
- You should try to be somebody other than yourself
- Other people will do things in the same way you would
The author expands on this and says that “common sense” to you may not be that to others. Every person won’t react to a situation the way you would. Unfortunately, people (including me) are often oblivious to this. You need to train yourself to remember it.
A free man accepts who they are. You can choose things that will make you happy. You don’t need to feel guilty or worried or embarrassed about what makes you happy as long as it doesn’t infringe on other people's freedom.
Don’t feign interest in topics that are boring in order to appear smart. Don’t be intimidated by intellectual standards. You are the sovereign ruler of your life. You don’t have to mould to social norms.
A common problem, and one that I suffer from, is being told you should be happy because you are doing things that we are told should make us happy. “Your life is great.”
Regularly getting in touch with what makes you happy and 100% living in that feeling so it washes over you is being free.
Another trap is the belief that you should care about homeless people or animals (or anything you don't care about) and feel guilty when you don’t. This is a morality trap that says you should feel a certain way because of some predefined morality that someone else created for everybody to follow. Instead you should define your own moral code that is in sync with how you want to live.
Part of being free is allowing other people to be free too. Accept them as they are. Don’t try to change them because then you are taking away their freedom. You can only change how you deal with people, not the people themselves. Keep relationships only in the places they are mutually beneficial. Not all friends will be best friends. I “broke up” with a friend last year for this very reason.
People throw away their lives living it as other people have dictated they should (many years before they were born). They are tied by “paper chains.”
There are two ways to try to change a situation:
- Indirect: changing others to get what you want
- Direct: doing something that only requires yourself to get what you want
The author goes on to talk about how there are really no rules in this life. You don’t need permission to do anything. Rules are just a way for Government to control people. This is where the book moves into Libertarianism. It describes how the Government enforce all laws by violence. This violence goes against the Non-aggression principle of Libertarians.
Understand that nobody owes you anything. Don’t try to be all things to all people. Changing yourself when you meet people to make them like you will never make you free.
You can get in a car and just leave your whole circumstances at the drop of a hat.
People have midlife crises because they are sick of the life they have gotten into. The decisions they made when they were younger have left them not free. Midlife crises should not be seen as a bad thing. It is a person finally getting free.
Government is not as powerful as you think. Crimes wouldn’t be such a problem if they were.
The Government system is in place now. So the author suggests just avoiding it. For example, you should just start a business and make money, don’t figure out all the laws first.
Repeatedly remind yourself that “society” is not real. It just a system of control. People have bought in but that doesn’t change that it doesn’t exist.
Don’t hide who you are. Display all of your nerdy hobbies out in the open. Being yourself is a skill. It takes time to become thoroughly acquainted with yourself to throw off a lifetime of pressure to relax and accept what you see in yourself.
Practice regularly asking in a moment “is this what I want?” and changing it if not.
It is an easy life when you stop trying to be all things to all people.
Why resign yourself to a life you don’t care for?
You make every decision. Sometimes you feel you ‘have’ to do something but you really don’t.
Some people don’t want this freedom. They prefer a ready made morality. To know they are good and right. They look for a leader to tell them they are doing well. These people will never be free.
You don’t have to be successful/in shape/rich/nice/hard working if that doesn’t interest you. I personally struggle with this. I’m also very judgemental of people I feel are lazy or wasting potential.
“Life is to be enjoyed, to be tasted - or there's not any point to it.”
December 28, 2016
Have no idea why this book from the 70s is still so highly rated. The ideas that you don't have to life your life for other people are not so novel. Maybe the people who like this book are from other cultures? Most Americans are well aware you don't have to get married to have a romantic partner, you don't have to follow the religion you were raised with, etc.
One of the few notions raised in the book that isn't in vogue today was the notion that it's okay to abandon your kids if you don't want a life with children. I'm not sure this is such a good idea. With most of the ideas, other people in your life would be free to move on if they don't like your [self-first] attitude. I don't think kids get over abandonment by a parent so easily. The whole point of the book is that we are free to act in our own self-interest, but this seems a little extreme. I'd prefer the attitude "you're totally free not to have kids unless you're really really sure you want them".
Also, the not-so-subtle libertarian anti-government tone was also a little hard to stomach.
One of the few notions raised in the book that isn't in vogue today was the notion that it's okay to abandon your kids if you don't want a life with children. I'm not sure this is such a good idea. With most of the ideas, other people in your life would be free to move on if they don't like your [self-first] attitude. I don't think kids get over abandonment by a parent so easily. The whole point of the book is that we are free to act in our own self-interest, but this seems a little extreme. I'd prefer the attitude "you're totally free not to have kids unless you're really really sure you want them".
Also, the not-so-subtle libertarian anti-government tone was also a little hard to stomach.
September 10, 2017
If freedom is living your life the way you want it, how free are you?
Nothing is more important, simply by this definition.
A lot of psychology. Understanding what stops you from being free and some useful strategies.
The wisest presentation of libertarian ideas I ever read. No politics at all, no manifests, no macro bullshit.
A life-changing book.
Nothing is more important, simply by this definition.
A lot of psychology. Understanding what stops you from being free and some useful strategies.
The wisest presentation of libertarian ideas I ever read. No politics at all, no manifests, no macro bullshit.
A life-changing book.
February 5, 2017
This dude is a trip. I did learn a few valuable lessons though. I'm also going to accept the fact that I'm lazy lol
January 20, 2015
The author is a scumbag. Were I to meet him, I would probably punch him. That's what makes this book such a good read.
Basically, mr. Browne is equal parts individualism in the positive sense of the word and dimwit libertarianism. He's obsessed with tax evasion and conceptualizes everything in terms of markets (children can be given away, because it's nothing you couldn't reacquire?), which is creepy. At the same time, he stresses some very workable points: that relationships should be kept free from (uninvited) obligations, and that one should focus on changes one can accomplish alone instead of relying on others to fulfill one's goals and desires.
That makes the book pretty progressive on some matters. It suggests cohabitation instead of marriage, and endorses open relationships. In terms of finance, it bears resemblance to Tim Ferriss' The 4-Hour Workweek in suggesting outsourcing services instead of hiring employees, and working in terms of projects instead of working hours.
As with Ferriss, Browne's points are weakened by his privileges: on multiple occasions, Browne equates matters in ways that are completely oblivious of class and other social issues. This makes him appear downright silly. It's not that his basic principles, such as seeing if there really are options one hasn't thought of yet, and respecting others as well as oneself as individuals instead of members of a group, couldn't be applied in any life situation – it's that his tone towards people in financial hardship is so condescending. "In debt? Sell all your property and start afresh!" is assuming one has sellable property to begin with.
I repeat myself: the author is a scumbag. I recommend this book for precisely that reason. For the reader, each moment of "what a dimwit asshole!" is a moment of discovering a value of personal importance. Reading authors that one can easily agree with is far less stimulating. I hereby announce that I will endeavour to read more scumbag musings this year.
Basically, mr. Browne is equal parts individualism in the positive sense of the word and dimwit libertarianism. He's obsessed with tax evasion and conceptualizes everything in terms of markets (children can be given away, because it's nothing you couldn't reacquire?), which is creepy. At the same time, he stresses some very workable points: that relationships should be kept free from (uninvited) obligations, and that one should focus on changes one can accomplish alone instead of relying on others to fulfill one's goals and desires.
That makes the book pretty progressive on some matters. It suggests cohabitation instead of marriage, and endorses open relationships. In terms of finance, it bears resemblance to Tim Ferriss' The 4-Hour Workweek in suggesting outsourcing services instead of hiring employees, and working in terms of projects instead of working hours.
As with Ferriss, Browne's points are weakened by his privileges: on multiple occasions, Browne equates matters in ways that are completely oblivious of class and other social issues. This makes him appear downright silly. It's not that his basic principles, such as seeing if there really are options one hasn't thought of yet, and respecting others as well as oneself as individuals instead of members of a group, couldn't be applied in any life situation – it's that his tone towards people in financial hardship is so condescending. "In debt? Sell all your property and start afresh!" is assuming one has sellable property to begin with.
I repeat myself: the author is a scumbag. I recommend this book for precisely that reason. For the reader, each moment of "what a dimwit asshole!" is a moment of discovering a value of personal importance. Reading authors that one can easily agree with is far less stimulating. I hereby announce that I will endeavour to read more scumbag musings this year.
April 30, 2016
Freedom isn't free.
January 4, 2013
Harry Browne did more to help me recognize my libertarian nature than anyone else, and I've striven to adopt his common-sense, positive, and dare I say even loving, approach to being a libertarian (as opposed to more in-your-face styles of libertarianism that piss me off even when I agree substantially, or at least sentimentally, with the arguments being made). I was fortunate enough to stumble upon his short-lived radio programs, and went on from there to read Fail-Safe Investing when I still had money to invest. (I still follow an ETF-based version of his "Permanent Portfolio" in my IRA.) Having two daughters of my own, I always try to remember to read his "A Gift for my Daughter" each Christmas, some paragraphs of which are found verbatim in this book. My only regret is that I discovered Browne (and libertarianism generally) too late to cast a vote for his presidential bids.
How I Found Freedom... has been on my list for awhile. Given my familiarity with Browne's ideas, I didn't find much surprising in it. The only eyebrow-raisers were his chapters on marriage and government — both of which he half-recants in the Epilogue of this 25th Anniversary Edition. Knowing that Browne was happily married for quite a long time before he died, and given his two-time presidential candidacy with the Libertarian Party, I suffered a little cognitive dissonance reading those chapters. (I also bit my lip a little at his multiple exhortations against "organizing" against the government, considering he co-founded Downsize DC.) The anniversary edition could've benefitted from a little more editing to clarify these positions earlier. That, along with perhaps a slightly less "self-help" feel in the last few chapters would've let me give this book 5 stars.
Still, it's well worth the read, for both libertarians and those who are simply curious to know more about the practical side of freedom (vs. the political side).
How I Found Freedom... has been on my list for awhile. Given my familiarity with Browne's ideas, I didn't find much surprising in it. The only eyebrow-raisers were his chapters on marriage and government — both of which he half-recants in the Epilogue of this 25th Anniversary Edition. Knowing that Browne was happily married for quite a long time before he died, and given his two-time presidential candidacy with the Libertarian Party, I suffered a little cognitive dissonance reading those chapters. (I also bit my lip a little at his multiple exhortations against "organizing" against the government, considering he co-founded Downsize DC.) The anniversary edition could've benefitted from a little more editing to clarify these positions earlier. That, along with perhaps a slightly less "self-help" feel in the last few chapters would've let me give this book 5 stars.
Still, it's well worth the read, for both libertarians and those who are simply curious to know more about the practical side of freedom (vs. the political side).
July 31, 2012
Fortunately a quick read, or I'd have never gotten through it. I picked this up because it was recommended by a blogger I used to admire. He (the blogger) made some personal choices lately which I had mixed feelings about; he credited this book with the change, and I was curious. There are a few interesting ideas, a little food for thought for someone willing to dig through the crap. But mostly, if you're reasonably honest and self-aware, you're not going to find anything new here. And if libertarians make you want to barf, stay away.
The short version: Live your life according to what's important to you. Don't bother with things you cannot change.
The short version: Live your life according to what's important to you. Don't bother with things you cannot change.
June 22, 2017
This is a 25th anniversary edition in 1998, little revised from the original 1973 book. Not much of it seemed to apply to me, and it's often out-of-date information. I was surprised by the author's advocating of tax evasion. We know that you don't have to live your life based on others' opinions. Maybe the book is helpful to people who need encouragement to leave a less-than-good situation.
The book is peppered with quotes from other people. I liked some of them, such as this one from Rudyard Kipling: "He travels fastest who travels alone." And I liked some of the concepts, such as accepting the presence of uncertainty and having sovereignty over myself.
The book is peppered with quotes from other people. I liked some of them, such as this one from Rudyard Kipling: "He travels fastest who travels alone." And I liked some of the concepts, such as accepting the presence of uncertainty and having sovereignty over myself.
January 7, 2022
I agree with the principle laid out in this book that each individual should aim for maximizing their own happiness. Browne was certainly not the first one to state this, but his book dismantles the common misconceptions better than other books I've read.
I don't agree with all Browne's ideas. But I don't believe it matters.
The pace of this book can be slow and I found some chapters repetitive.
I don't agree with all Browne's ideas. But I don't believe it matters.
The pace of this book can be slow and I found some chapters repetitive.
September 27, 2019
My first libertarian "self help" book.
This is a pretty funny book. Especially in the second half when Browne starts going into his personal life. The guy likes to fuck, folks. But his practical advice is so anti-social and atomizing that this book could have only come out in the radical libertarian publishing boomlet of the 1970s. Browne doesn't pull many punches. Many popular libertarians steer clear of the "children problem." What do to with children in an ideal world? Browne suggests not bothering with them. When he reveals that he hasn't seen his daughter in 9 years, it's almost kind of sad. But Browne is happy about it...at least for now. I would like to see a follow up to this tangent to see how she ended up. Ditching his wife, his kid, his employees, his friends and partners - Browne is on top of the world. Absolutely free! He's not lonely, mind you.
I suppose its a different experience if you're actually married, have children and business partners and read this. I'm already living Browne's dream. Nothing can stop me, lol! Imagining reading this 300 page book and then putting your 12 year old daughter up for adoption is cracking me up.
Outside of the family and relationship stuff, I think Browne has some okay advice. Don't join any political movement, skirt the law and much as you're comfortable with etc. This is true lifestyle libertarian stuff that we don't see that often, outside of John McAfee and a few others. Reading the Harry Browne 2000 presidential platform is pretty funny. http://www.harrybrowne.org/hb2000/ Seems like Browne is back in the damn "rights trap."
This is a pretty funny book. Especially in the second half when Browne starts going into his personal life. The guy likes to fuck, folks. But his practical advice is so anti-social and atomizing that this book could have only come out in the radical libertarian publishing boomlet of the 1970s. Browne doesn't pull many punches. Many popular libertarians steer clear of the "children problem." What do to with children in an ideal world? Browne suggests not bothering with them. When he reveals that he hasn't seen his daughter in 9 years, it's almost kind of sad. But Browne is happy about it...at least for now. I would like to see a follow up to this tangent to see how she ended up. Ditching his wife, his kid, his employees, his friends and partners - Browne is on top of the world. Absolutely free! He's not lonely, mind you.
I suppose its a different experience if you're actually married, have children and business partners and read this. I'm already living Browne's dream. Nothing can stop me, lol! Imagining reading this 300 page book and then putting your 12 year old daughter up for adoption is cracking me up.
Outside of the family and relationship stuff, I think Browne has some okay advice. Don't join any political movement, skirt the law and much as you're comfortable with etc. This is true lifestyle libertarian stuff that we don't see that often, outside of John McAfee and a few others. Reading the Harry Browne 2000 presidential platform is pretty funny. http://www.harrybrowne.org/hb2000/ Seems like Browne is back in the damn "rights trap."
April 12, 2016
I value independence and individual responsibility but I sometimes blanch at some of the hard edges on certain facets of Libertarian philosophy. Having said that, I still found value in reading this landmark book. Especially valuable to me was the chapter entitled, the Previous-Investment Trap. Whatever philosophy governs your life, you will obtain a basic understanding of Libertarianism by reading Harry Browne.
November 14, 2021
Full disclosure: I skimmed this book after the first 30% or so.
There is good advice in here but most of it is common sense or better found elsewhere. There is a lot of weird advice. And there is a lot of Libertarian nonsense. Sorry dude, “the government” is not the source of most people’s lack of freedom. Also ignores tons of studies about what actually makes people happy (it’s not paying less taxes and going to unlicensed doctors)
There is good advice in here but most of it is common sense or better found elsewhere. There is a lot of weird advice. And there is a lot of Libertarian nonsense. Sorry dude, “the government” is not the source of most people’s lack of freedom. Also ignores tons of studies about what actually makes people happy (it’s not paying less taxes and going to unlicensed doctors)
December 15, 2017
.
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This book teaches you how to start living your life in your own way , making your own choices , your own thoughts and How to accept Your own self. How to respect your own view of the world and making sure that it really your view not something you have been told.
It was boring little bit but I enjoyed reading it .
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“ You Need Time alone to act completely on your own desires “
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“ To Be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best nights and day to make you somebody else means to fight the hardest battles which any human being can fight and never stop fighting “.
.
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#Review #HowiFoundfreedominanunfreeworld
#HarryBrowne
Insta:Candleflame23 ❤️
#أبجدية_فرح
.
This book teaches you how to start living your life in your own way , making your own choices , your own thoughts and How to accept Your own self. How to respect your own view of the world and making sure that it really your view not something you have been told.
It was boring little bit but I enjoyed reading it .
.
.
“ You Need Time alone to act completely on your own desires “
.
.
“ To Be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best nights and day to make you somebody else means to fight the hardest battles which any human being can fight and never stop fighting “.
.
.
#Review #HowiFoundfreedominanunfreeworld
#HarryBrowne
Insta:Candleflame23 ❤️
#أبجدية_فرح
April 7, 2019
While I don't agree with everything Browne outlines in his book, that is precisely the point. Browne presents a world in which all possibilities can be acted on in accordance with your authentic self and does so in a way that is not the slightest bit prescriptive. Well worth reading.
June 30, 2024
lots of fluff, found it all common sense. nothing new.
July 4, 2019
I've had this book since forever, because someone somewhere recommended it and I got it, meaning to read it later. Well, I finally got to it, completely forgetting about any context or additional information on the book. I didn't even read the subtitle before digging in. So I had no idea it was sort of a libertarian manifesto.
The first couple of chapters on being true to yourself and recognizing that you can't change others sounded promising, because, hey, it's true. But then he got into "government can't do anything for you that you can't do better on your own" and, coming from a country with tax-funded universal public healthcare and education, sorry, no.
So I skipped the rest of the book and turned to a nicely written summary of it.
The summary gave me another tidbit to appreciate:
(Update: I read another review pointing out that the author says you're free to abandon your children if you don't want them. So... I guess it's nice that there's usually another person (more often than not a mother or grandparent(s)) or a government-run institution willing to take them on. Sure must be nice living in that libertarian bubble where people are picking your shit up and you're freeeee as a bird. Considerably lowered my opinion of the author.)
The first couple of chapters on being true to yourself and recognizing that you can't change others sounded promising, because, hey, it's true. But then he got into "government can't do anything for you that you can't do better on your own" and, coming from a country with tax-funded universal public healthcare and education, sorry, no.
So I skipped the rest of the book and turned to a nicely written summary of it.
The summary gave me another tidbit to appreciate:
...“boxes,” unpleasant situations that restrict your freedom, that you might be afraid to get out of. They could be anyting: bad relationship, job, location, friendship. A big restriction of your freedom is the boxes you allow yourself to stay in, for fear of the work you must do to get out of them.
But there are two things to recognize:
1. You’re paying a price every day you remain in the box, and you need to get over the sunk cost that put you there.
2. There’s always a way out. You’ll have to pay a price, and that’s uncomfortable, but it’s better than continuing to pay the price of staying in the box.
One habit he suggests getting into is to always look at the price to get out of a bad situation. Ignore your annoyance and frustration, look at what you have to do to get out of the situation. There’s always a price to get out of it. And the sooner you pay the price, the less it costs you.
(Update: I read another review pointing out that the author says you're free to abandon your children if you don't want them. So... I guess it's nice that there's usually another person (more often than not a mother or grandparent(s)) or a government-run institution willing to take them on. Sure must be nice living in that libertarian bubble where people are picking your shit up and you're freeeee as a bird. Considerably lowered my opinion of the author.)
April 21, 2014
laissez-faire, yo. this book offers an abundance of very practical information about improving freedom in one's personal life across many domains, and I am disappointed that it had not been recommended to me prior to adulthood. Harry discusses many types of traps and ways in which we become entangled and encumbered by social imposition, circumstance, poor decisions, and getting up in other people's business, and offers strategies in addressing these all-too-common, largely avoidable challenges. This guide is well worth re-reading.
I was troubled by one section of the book which appears to have been inspired by the mother in kramer v. kramer that goes something like this: abandon your kid and your commitments simply because you're unhappy, and go out and find yourself, because that will make you happy. this idea was apparently drawn from his personal life decisions. His justification proceeds as he very conveniently reports that after having done so, everything worked out well because his ex-wife became a better person and he became more successful. was he coerced into his marriage? was he tricked into impregnating his spouse? the book says nothing whatsoever about his personal decision to have a kid he then didn't want to live with or care for, or his personal responsibility in these relationships. between the book's original printing and this anniversary edition, a superabundance of studies have been completed around the impact single parent households have on kids, and on how individuals abandoning their responsibilities causes harm and costs others their resources and thus freedom. the information was readily available to harry, thanks to the gutenberg press and the internet, but was avoided in the new introduction. the grand omission does diminish the velocity of the author for me overall, but does not dilute the utility of much of the advice. perhaps it was this great blind spot which influenced his decision to become involved in politics in his later years.
I was troubled by one section of the book which appears to have been inspired by the mother in kramer v. kramer that goes something like this: abandon your kid and your commitments simply because you're unhappy, and go out and find yourself, because that will make you happy. this idea was apparently drawn from his personal life decisions. His justification proceeds as he very conveniently reports that after having done so, everything worked out well because his ex-wife became a better person and he became more successful. was he coerced into his marriage? was he tricked into impregnating his spouse? the book says nothing whatsoever about his personal decision to have a kid he then didn't want to live with or care for, or his personal responsibility in these relationships. between the book's original printing and this anniversary edition, a superabundance of studies have been completed around the impact single parent households have on kids, and on how individuals abandoning their responsibilities causes harm and costs others their resources and thus freedom. the information was readily available to harry, thanks to the gutenberg press and the internet, but was avoided in the new introduction. the grand omission does diminish the velocity of the author for me overall, but does not dilute the utility of much of the advice. perhaps it was this great blind spot which influenced his decision to become involved in politics in his later years.
September 9, 2009
This book was simply the begnning of some questions and thoughts that I have been using to change my life. It asks you a few things (assuming that you are an individualistic American, implicitly...if you are not, please don't bother to read on...)
It makes you dig down into yourself and explain why you do the things you do. Why do you put yourself into situations where you feel obligated to others in ways you don't wish to be obligated? It can be as simple as your mother making you feel obligated to attend dinner on Sunday evenings, or as complicated as choices you made almost a decade ago that have spiraled into other obligations that continue to this day.
Why do we (as humans) do things we entirely don't want to do? Why do we spend so much time trying to keep our heads down and bear with the unenjoyable bits, thereby making ourselves unhappy? Why do we continue to do a mediocre, "safe" job that pays well when we could seek out that ideal job for ONLY US that would make us so very happy that we would make more just by making others happier that we did them this service?
How much of our lives is dedicated to making others happy at our expense, and could we get this time back? Could we respect ourselves just a little more, and advocate for our own needs above someone elses, thereby making us less of a pushover?
Sounds good to me.
I just skipped over the political stuff. I don't need it - don't feel like figuring out how to pull a "sly one" on the government - I like living honestly.
This is a great book for asking yourselves the tough questions that you may have never considered before - everything from your interactions with your family & friends to your thoughts on work and marriage.
Think about it.
It makes you dig down into yourself and explain why you do the things you do. Why do you put yourself into situations where you feel obligated to others in ways you don't wish to be obligated? It can be as simple as your mother making you feel obligated to attend dinner on Sunday evenings, or as complicated as choices you made almost a decade ago that have spiraled into other obligations that continue to this day.
Why do we (as humans) do things we entirely don't want to do? Why do we spend so much time trying to keep our heads down and bear with the unenjoyable bits, thereby making ourselves unhappy? Why do we continue to do a mediocre, "safe" job that pays well when we could seek out that ideal job for ONLY US that would make us so very happy that we would make more just by making others happier that we did them this service?
How much of our lives is dedicated to making others happy at our expense, and could we get this time back? Could we respect ourselves just a little more, and advocate for our own needs above someone elses, thereby making us less of a pushover?
Sounds good to me.
I just skipped over the political stuff. I don't need it - don't feel like figuring out how to pull a "sly one" on the government - I like living honestly.
This is a great book for asking yourselves the tough questions that you may have never considered before - everything from your interactions with your family & friends to your thoughts on work and marriage.
Think about it.
April 2, 2015
The government stuff is absurd to me, of course.
Otherwise I kind of get his attitude, although I don't know if I have it in me to embrace this sort of laissez-fair stoicism. That's a freedom in itself. And as much as I'd like to dump the influence of some people in my life, I think I'd probably be worse off without them. His ideals sound very lonely.
Plus he is wrong about social change and advocacy, although I suppose technically right about everyone being selfish: I want to be a steward of the earth because it makes me feel like less of a bad human being. But then the idea that someone can just not give a shit about conservation bc it doesn't satisfy their selfish desires is infuriating to me. You just don't get off that easy. He'd say that I am losing my freedom in having this emotional reaction to someone I can't change, which I guess is true, but also I can't just stop caring about things. I mean people might start vaccinating against measles again any day now (for example - just saying that tides do turn).
And fuck his ideas that the woman should be the custodian of any children, wtf? Plus some really obvious contradictions are popping up here, how can he respect the sovereignty of individuals but then talk about how probably the woman should be custodian.
I do respect some of his ideas here, so I will allow that this was not a complete waste of time. I mostly really liked the chapters about unentangling yourself and gaining freedom, which is really only about living with intention. Plus everyone could use a reminder on not controlling others. But guys pay your taxes, come on.
Otherwise I kind of get his attitude, although I don't know if I have it in me to embrace this sort of laissez-fair stoicism. That's a freedom in itself. And as much as I'd like to dump the influence of some people in my life, I think I'd probably be worse off without them. His ideals sound very lonely.
Plus he is wrong about social change and advocacy, although I suppose technically right about everyone being selfish: I want to be a steward of the earth because it makes me feel like less of a bad human being. But then the idea that someone can just not give a shit about conservation bc it doesn't satisfy their selfish desires is infuriating to me. You just don't get off that easy. He'd say that I am losing my freedom in having this emotional reaction to someone I can't change, which I guess is true, but also I can't just stop caring about things. I mean people might start vaccinating against measles again any day now (for example - just saying that tides do turn).
And fuck his ideas that the woman should be the custodian of any children, wtf? Plus some really obvious contradictions are popping up here, how can he respect the sovereignty of individuals but then talk about how probably the woman should be custodian.
I do respect some of his ideas here, so I will allow that this was not a complete waste of time. I mostly really liked the chapters about unentangling yourself and gaining freedom, which is really only about living with intention. Plus everyone could use a reminder on not controlling others. But guys pay your taxes, come on.
December 14, 2017
For most people, Freedom is an "if only". Harry Browne provides a Libertarian's road map to personal freedom in his book. The central theme of the book is that "You're a sovereign individual. You're the one who decides every one of your actions. You're the person who determines what is right and wrong for you".
Part 1 explains Why you are NOT free. It is my favourite section of the book because it provides road map to freedom via negativa (Addition by Subtraction). It describes varies mental fallacies and trap we tend to fall for.
The Identity Trap, The Intellectual and Emotional trap, The Morality Trap, The Unselfishness Trap, The Group Trap, The Government Trap, The Despair Trap, The Rights Trap, The Utopia Trap, The Burning Issue Trap, The Previous Investment Trap, The Box Trap and The Certainty Trap.
Most of these traps are a variation of the identity trap. a.) The belief that you should be someone other than yourself. b.) The Assumption that others will do things in the way you would. It unbelievable that most of us fall for these traps because of the lack of clarity in thought or we don't believe in our own sovereignty.
Part II is How to be Free. It is the weakest section of the book in my view. Its basically provides the writer's view on how to obtain Freedom from Government, Society,Bad relationship, Insecurity, Exploitation, Business Problem's and Treadmill.
Part III is about How to apply these changes. Although redundant at many places, it helps the readers to practically apply changes to obtain liberty.
Whether you're a Libertarian or otherwise, this book will provide some insights to everyone and how to find Freedom.
Part 1 explains Why you are NOT free. It is my favourite section of the book because it provides road map to freedom via negativa (Addition by Subtraction). It describes varies mental fallacies and trap we tend to fall for.
The Identity Trap, The Intellectual and Emotional trap, The Morality Trap, The Unselfishness Trap, The Group Trap, The Government Trap, The Despair Trap, The Rights Trap, The Utopia Trap, The Burning Issue Trap, The Previous Investment Trap, The Box Trap and The Certainty Trap.
Most of these traps are a variation of the identity trap. a.) The belief that you should be someone other than yourself. b.) The Assumption that others will do things in the way you would. It unbelievable that most of us fall for these traps because of the lack of clarity in thought or we don't believe in our own sovereignty.
Part II is How to be Free. It is the weakest section of the book in my view. Its basically provides the writer's view on how to obtain Freedom from Government, Society,Bad relationship, Insecurity, Exploitation, Business Problem's and Treadmill.
Part III is about How to apply these changes. Although redundant at many places, it helps the readers to practically apply changes to obtain liberty.
Whether you're a Libertarian or otherwise, this book will provide some insights to everyone and how to find Freedom.
May 8, 2013
This book made me deeply uncomfortable, challenging several basic premises of my life. After making it all the way through, I still think the author is selfish and hedonistic. Some good ideas, though, and enough of a challenge that it was worth reading.
There is truth in here, but the elements he chooses are often extended to absurd lengths. This is accomplished mainly by making gross simplifications of human behavior. For example, he asserts that all humans make choices in their own self-interest, maximizing their happiness in the long term as well as in the short. (I believe behavioral economics has fairly well scotched that one; see the book Nudge, and the entire industry of marketing.)
A second example: He asserts that emotions are completely beyond one's control---just natural reactions of our innermost self to our circumstances. However, recent studies (like this one: https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/...) show that our voluntary physical motions can indeed change our emotional responses. How much of his argument does this invalidate?
Still, the idea that you should carefully decide what consequences you want out of life, then act to get them, is sound. But his placing of individual sovereignty and personal happiness at the very top of the values of life may be what's responsible for a lot of the crazy ideas here.
He's careful to point out that he's not advocating you live his lifestyle. I'd second that.
(However, the book certainly is philosophically meaty; my reaction's length is, I think, indicative of this.)
There is truth in here, but the elements he chooses are often extended to absurd lengths. This is accomplished mainly by making gross simplifications of human behavior. For example, he asserts that all humans make choices in their own self-interest, maximizing their happiness in the long term as well as in the short. (I believe behavioral economics has fairly well scotched that one; see the book Nudge, and the entire industry of marketing.)
A second example: He asserts that emotions are completely beyond one's control---just natural reactions of our innermost self to our circumstances. However, recent studies (like this one: https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/...) show that our voluntary physical motions can indeed change our emotional responses. How much of his argument does this invalidate?
Still, the idea that you should carefully decide what consequences you want out of life, then act to get them, is sound. But his placing of individual sovereignty and personal happiness at the very top of the values of life may be what's responsible for a lot of the crazy ideas here.
He's careful to point out that he's not advocating you live his lifestyle. I'd second that.
(However, the book certainly is philosophically meaty; my reaction's length is, I think, indicative of this.)
July 19, 2023
Although there are some nuggets of wisdom, this book also has exceptionally stupid ideas.
He lays out in detail how any group work is designed to fail because each individual has a personal interest not to work and mooch off the group. Yet we see collective activities succeed all the time…
And then one chapter later, he suggests if you don’t like something, your only option is to join a group to stop it. Facepalm
The free market is also given an almost religious reverence as if each individual is an expert in everything and this doesn’t need the government to regulate anything. Need to know whether pharmaceutical A is better than pharmaceutical B? Just ask a mother of 4 with no education, and she will explain to you in detail the pros and cons of each and why she chose one over the other haha
Need to know which financial product has a better risk reward profile out of 5000 possible choices? Best to ask a 25 year old fast food worker with no math beyond 5th grade!
See, no government oversight is needed! /sarcasm
I guess the author has never heard of behavioral economics and inherent human flaws and biases in reasoning even for people very well educated in whatever product category.
This book is common sense interlaced with absolute garbage and sociopathy masquerading as some kind of deep revolutionary philosophy.
It’s like an arrogant know it all wrote a book, while not realizing that he was the dumbest person in the room.
He lays out in detail how any group work is designed to fail because each individual has a personal interest not to work and mooch off the group. Yet we see collective activities succeed all the time…
And then one chapter later, he suggests if you don’t like something, your only option is to join a group to stop it. Facepalm
The free market is also given an almost religious reverence as if each individual is an expert in everything and this doesn’t need the government to regulate anything. Need to know whether pharmaceutical A is better than pharmaceutical B? Just ask a mother of 4 with no education, and she will explain to you in detail the pros and cons of each and why she chose one over the other haha
Need to know which financial product has a better risk reward profile out of 5000 possible choices? Best to ask a 25 year old fast food worker with no math beyond 5th grade!
See, no government oversight is needed! /sarcasm
I guess the author has never heard of behavioral economics and inherent human flaws and biases in reasoning even for people very well educated in whatever product category.
This book is common sense interlaced with absolute garbage and sociopathy masquerading as some kind of deep revolutionary philosophy.
It’s like an arrogant know it all wrote a book, while not realizing that he was the dumbest person in the room.
May 27, 2020
Harry Browne shows us how important it is to be free in an unfree world. We can all agree that we would much rather make our own decisions and do what we want, and this book shows us how to do that in many different situations.
Harry Browne was as free of a man that one could be and he has many important characteristics to value. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. To be free allows one to live a life of happiness, and to create a lot of value in a persons life can make many things much better. This is a book worth reading, no matter who you are, this book can help you in many different ways.
I am 14 years old and I find this very helpful. I can find myself criticizing people just because of simple things they do just because they annoy me a little bit. This book has helped me realize that people do what is in their best interest and that there is no reason at all to get upset at simple things, especially when they just annoy me a little bit.
Harry Browne's book has helped me realize what is in my control and what is not in my control, and to not let things that are out of my control bother me. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember, but if you do it a lot it turns into a habit. It is a very good habit to have, it improves the quality of one's life.
Harry Browne was as free of a man that one could be and he has many important characteristics to value. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. To be free allows one to live a life of happiness, and to create a lot of value in a persons life can make many things much better. This is a book worth reading, no matter who you are, this book can help you in many different ways.
I am 14 years old and I find this very helpful. I can find myself criticizing people just because of simple things they do just because they annoy me a little bit. This book has helped me realize that people do what is in their best interest and that there is no reason at all to get upset at simple things, especially when they just annoy me a little bit.
Harry Browne's book has helped me realize what is in my control and what is not in my control, and to not let things that are out of my control bother me. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember, but if you do it a lot it turns into a habit. It is a very good habit to have, it improves the quality of one's life.
May 24, 2016
One of my top5 books I read so far. It really shaked some beliefs about my worldview and it gave really practical advice how to find your personal freedom in life.
Everything comes with an price, it depends if you are willing to pay the price. Being free as well as unfree have their price-tag on them.
After all, stop trying to change the system. Stop trying to change people. Rather improve the relationships with people you just have common values. To find those quality relationships you firstly have to know yourself, that you can express yourself. If you don't know who you are, how should somebody else know?
There are plenty more golden nuggets in this book. Living honestly with others and yourself. Seeing live for it's beauty, and the freedom it has to offer...
There will be probably some parts you won't agree with, but hey, this helps you to find what you value even easier ;)
Everything comes with an price, it depends if you are willing to pay the price. Being free as well as unfree have their price-tag on them.
After all, stop trying to change the system. Stop trying to change people. Rather improve the relationships with people you just have common values. To find those quality relationships you firstly have to know yourself, that you can express yourself. If you don't know who you are, how should somebody else know?
There are plenty more golden nuggets in this book. Living honestly with others and yourself. Seeing live for it's beauty, and the freedom it has to offer...
There will be probably some parts you won't agree with, but hey, this helps you to find what you value even easier ;)
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