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One voracious reader has a book list that will keep you reading for all of 2014

One voracious reader has a book list that will keep you reading for all of 2014

If you read even a fraction of these you'll gain a wealth of wisdom this year.

In response to our recent 19 books recommended by the Blaze Staff post, one enterprising and erudite reader posted their own reading list of 19 books, times two, plus a bonus essay. Many of the books are exceptional and worthwhile reads from some of our favorite authors including George Gilder, Charles Murray, Thomas Sowell and many others.

As such, without further adieu, we decided to highlight our favorite recommendations from "JohnQTaxpayer."

Thanks for the list JQT, and feel free to Tweet along your own recommendations to @TheBlazeBooks.

1. Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky

Like bad-tasting medicine, Alinsky's book which is dedicated to the devil himself is the definitive guide to progressive political tactics, and as such is required reading for anyone doing battle with the Left in the political and ideological wars of the day.

2. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville

The classic insightful and entertaining book on early American culture, economics, politics and government, from the perspective of the ever-observant Frenchmen.

3. Wealth and Poverty by George Gilder

Popularly portrayed as the Bible on supply-side economics, President Reagan's most-quoted living author Gilder provides an exceptional defense of capitalism from both an economic AND moral perspective. Check out his revolutionary 2013 book "Knowledge and Power: The Information Theory of Capitalism and How it is Revolutionizing our World" for a 21st century update on Gilder's evolving free-market philosophy.

4. Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, From Mussolini to the Politics of Change by Jonah Goldberg

All the factual firepower you need to back up the assertion that "inside every liberal is a totalitarian screaming to get out."

5. The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay & The Original Argument: The Federalists' Case for the Constitution, Adapted for the 21st Century by Glenn Beck

 

The essential arguments behind the federal representative republic under the Constitution devised by our Founders, and Glenn Beck's re-application for the America of today.

6. The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek

Hayek's most popular book, "The Road to Serfdom" swiftly and brilliantly illuminates the idea that the "middle path" between statism and freedom always leads to all-encompassing government tyranny.

7. Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto by Mark Levin

Before "The Liberty Amendments" there was "Liberty and Tyranny," a spirited defense for limited government, private property rights and a re-kindling of the bedrock principles and values that animated our Founders.

8. Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life by Charles Murray

The libertarian sociologist's most controversial book, in this PC-free tome Charles Murray unflinchingly discusses the relationship between IQ and socio-economics in America and elucidates the most important associated trends and societal implications.

9. Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010 by Charles Murray

Murray's newest book, this fantastic and quick read discusses both the positive and negative societal trends among Caucasians since the 1960s. Murray shows the growing disparity not only in terms of economics but the perhaps more important cultural values dividing white society between its elite intellectual class and the increasingly disparate lower classes, the effects of which threaten the viability of the country altogether.

10. Human Accomplishment: The Pursuit of Excellence in the Arts and Sciences, 800 B.C. to 1950 by Charles Murray

As the title suggests, this book reflects Murray's comprehensive study of the individuals throughout world history who have achieved greatness in the arts and sciences, along with Murray's takeaways as to the who, what, where, why and how of exceptional achievement.

11.  Losing Ground: American Social Policy, 1950-1980 by Charles Murray

Charles Murray's study as to the failures of the Great Society program and America's experiment in welfare more broadly -- his analysis remains equally pertinent in an age in which the state grows at an exponential pace.

12. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

A short summary cannot do "Atlas Shrugged" justice: If you haven't read it drop what you're doing and pick it up ASAP.

13. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

"The Fountainhead" celebrates the individual who seeks to self-actualize through his work and refuses to sacrifice his principles and his very being itself in practicing his craft.

14. Dismantling America: and other controversial essays by Thomas Sowell

Read everything you can get your hands on by the great economist Thomas Sowell. This book in particular covers economics, politics, culture and more, and how Leftism has undermined America in the "success" it has achieved on all of these fronts.

15. After America: Get Ready for Armageddon by Mark Steyn

Mark Steyn will make you laugh and cry in this book in which he predicts the decline and fall of the United States and by extension the Western world at the hands of pre-eminent Leftism and all that it entails.

16. The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu's classic has lessons for everyone not just in war, business or politics, but life more broadly. You can read this book over and over again and come away with different insights and takeaways each time.

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