Capital
Karl Marx
21 people recommended it in 10 threads, 2016–2024.
What people on Hacker News said
That's some of the stuff that comes to mind as having shifted my perception on things in some fundamental ways.
I value the experience especially in light of how often the text is reinterpreted and cast off in the US without much attention to the text itself.
It's radical because it shows that Capitalism is not a "natural" state of affairs (as much as it would like us to believe that it is).
In addition, I would suggest Keynes, as well Marx, or even Kropotkin's "Conquest of Bread".
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: What are the must-read books about economics/finance? 2016 · 8 recommendations
- St. John’s Reading List: A Great Books Curriculum 2023 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which book/essay changed your life? 2021 · 2 recommendations
- A 600-Page Textbook About Modern Monetary Theory Has Sold Out 2019 · 2 recommendations
- What's the most radical book you've read? 2024 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024? 2023 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Book recommendations for understanding financial systems? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books or essays written at least 100 years ago? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List? 2018 · 1 recommendation