A Personal Revolution for 2004

Where you are now - whether you are happy, rich, miserable, poor, or somewhere in between - is the result of actions taken previously. Such actions are the result of habitual thinking - as in personal goals, values and philosophy.

Ultimately, you are all that you are, because of what you think. And if you want to change your personal situation, you'll obviously have to change your actions - and to do that you'll need to change your thinking.

I have found certain books to be a major catalyst for changes in my own thinking - and therefore changes in my actions and consequently my life. So, in the spirit of "New Year's Resolutions", I offer the following list of "revolutionary" books that have the power to change lives - including yours.

However, I must provide a cautionary warning. The following books have the potential to disrupt your existing values, goals, attitudes and life itself. So, let's begin.

Books that will revolutionise your philosophical viewpoint:

ATLAS SHRUGGED - This is the blockbuster, by Ayn Rand, that will change forever the way you think! I'm not joking. Atlas Shrugged is a major work. It's fiction - but intertwined in its suspenseful story is a completely new philosophy of life. If you've ever wondered why the world is in such a mess - then you need to read this book. It's the story of a man who invents an incredible machine, then realises that the way the world is currently organised, his work will be looted. He decides, instead, to organise a "strike of the mind" - and proceeds to persuade all creative people - of ability, talent, intellect and integrity, to disappear, and leave to world to fend for itself. A gripper! If you only read one book - then make it this one.

THE FOUNTAINHEAD - Ayn Rand wrote this in 1943, fourteen years earlier than Atlas Shrugged. It's my favourite book - about the triumph of the individual over the collective. Marvellous! The story of Howard Roark, a young architect, who struggles to maintain his integrity in a world of mediocre fools and evil enemies. Both Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead are essential reading for getting "your head straight". You need a philosophical foundation if you want to pursue the road to freedom - and these two books provide the best foundation possible.

Books that will revolutionise your view of the world:

SIC ITUR AD ASTRA - or "This is the way to the stars"- by Andrew J. Galambos. This book is the perfect "partner" to the ideas of Ayn Rand. Whereas Rand provides a unique moral base for a life of freedom - Galambos provides a scientific "discovery" that shows that a free society will never arrive via the political process. Rather, he shows that freedom is a product - something that must be invented and built - just like an aeroplane - and then sold to consumers. Rand's moral ideas are wonderfully inspiring - but she has nothing new to say as to how such ideas can become a reality. Galambos provides the practical structure for achieving freedom - without having to wait for a democratic/political mandate. Highly original and intellectually challenging!

THE SOVEREIGN INDIVIDUAL - This path-breaking book, by Lord Rees-Mogg and James Davidson, takes a long view of history - and examines the patterns and rhythms in historic cycles. It looks at the events and technology that have lead to major shake-ups in the world's balance of power, and predicts where the world is heading as a result of the information revolution and the internet. This is a fascinating read - although weighty at times. The history alone is worth the price. With the information contained under your belt, you'll be well equipped to face the future with a sense of understanding - and hope.

HOW I FOUND FREEDOM IN AN UNFREE WORLD - This book, by Harry Browne, forever changed the way I think regards taking action. For much of my life I have been what you would call a "crusader" - one of those people always on a "mission". I was deeply involved in politics both as a candidate, organiser and founder of a political party. I always felt it was somehow the right thing to do, to try and change the world. Harry Browne's book forced me to rethink this strategy. The main thesis is that there are two types of action - "indirect" and "direct". As an example of both, consider this: If you want to reduce your taxes you have two options. 1) You can campaign for lower taxes, write letters, lobby politicians etc. This indirect action will take up your time, but there is no guarantee that it will reduce your taxes by one dollar! Or, you could direct your energy into finding ways to practically reduce your own tax - like using offshore strategies. This is DIRECT action - and much more likely to deliver a result.

FOR A NEW LIBERTY - the classic Libertarian Manifesto by Murray N Rothbard. He is a key foundational thinker of the libertarian movement - with his emphasis on the Austrian School of Economics (as propounded by economists like FA Hayek and Ludwig von Mises), and the need to create a society without government (as we know it). If Ayn Rand is a major influence in the 'minimal state' libertarian perspective, then Murray Rothbard is the major influence in the "no state" perspective.

PT: THE PERPETUAL TRAVELLER - by WG Hill. This was the book that gave me hope and a sense of new direction, after I lost everything - around five years ago. What I needed desperately was "hope". Hope that there was some way out. "PT" provided that hope by opening my eyes to a possibility I had never considered - that one can live a completely (tax) free life, on one's own terms, and disengage from the yoke of the state. Absolutely essential reading for anyone who wants to break out of the system. Hard to find though.

THE INTERNATIONALIST BLUEPRINT - by Nicholas Pullen. This is an excellent "update" to the book PT, containing more relevant links info etc, but still basically outlining the PT philosophy (although renamed as the "internationalist' philosophy). We offer this book at 40% discount - direct from the publisher - to all members of SovereignLife.

1984 - by George Orwell, is not the sort of book to inspire, but it IS an important book, because it presents the story of a society in the grip of BIG BROTHER, and it does so in a way that is uncannily prescient! Since 911, there has been a rush towards increased centralised control, and an attack on individual freedoms. Reading 1984 will give you an insight into the minds of those who seek power over you - an insight all the more amazing because of when this book was written. Orwell's prophetic work should be read by anyone who values his freedom, and wants to clearly understand the nature of the "beast"! I'd go as far as saying that you MUST read 1984 this year - if you really want to arm yourself against the inane utterances of politicians and the brainwashing of the media.

Books that will revolutionise your understanding of economics:

THE LAW - this little book by Frederic Bastiat (from the 1800s) is the most lucid and enjoyable read - and will forever change the way you look at governments and their interference in public and economic life. A gem! In fact, this book tells you everything you need to know about economics - in a way that you will thoroughly understand.

ECONOMICS IN ONE LESSON - by Henry Hazlitt, is very similar to "The Law" in that it presents economic ideas in a way that makes them eminently sensible and easy to understand. A must- have if you want to consider yourself economically literate.

BIONOMICS - a fascinating book by Michael Rothschild, which shows how capitalism and the free market are like "ecology" - a completely self-balancing system that is as "natural" as a rain forest. And when you consider that "orthodoxy" thinks of the economy as a "machine" - that politicians can forever tinker with - then Rosthschild's analysis is quite revolutionary.

Books that will revolutionise your understanding of personal finances and investing:

RICH DAD, POOR DAD - the book that opened my eyes to what I was doing wrong with money! This easy-to-read book, by Robert Kyosaki, is almost so basic that it can be an eye-opener to realise you've been believing many of the mistaken ideas and half-truths he exposes. He has a great talent for making important financial principles easy to grasp and understand. Also recommended are all his other books, including: The Cashflow Quadrant and Rich Dad's Guide to Investing.

Books that will revolutionise your understanding of how to achieve personal success:

THINK AND GROW RICH - the classic book by Napoleon Hill that started all the "self-improvement" books abounding these days. Wisdom gleaned from interviews with some of the world's richest men at the time - condensing it all down to a workable method for achieving one's goals.

THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE - a "must-have" book by Robert Fritz - will open up a completely new way of viewing your place in the world and how you can create the life you want. Unlike most self-improvement books, this eschews such things as "positive thinking", affirmations, will power - and instead presents a refreshingly unique perspective based on strategies learnt from the creative arts. His conclusion is that you CAN learn to become the primary creative force in your own life - and can do it without struggle, without battles - but by simply learning how to follow the path of least resistance (like a river finds the easiest lay of the land to flow over).

Now, if one or more of the above books doesn't throw your brain waves into a high-energy spin - then, I'm afraid you may be brain dead!

You can order all of the above (except for PT and The New Internationalist) from either:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com

Laissez Faire Books: http://www.lfb.com

Yours in freedom

David MacGregor