Economics in One Lesson: The Shortest and Surest Way to Understand Basic Economics

Originally published in 1946, Economics in One Lesson presents an introduction to economic theory that defends capitalism and free markets against persistent economic misconceptions. The book has sold over a million copies and is considered a foundational work in modern libertarianism. Henry Hazlitt, associated with the Austrian School of economic thought alongside Carl Menger, Ludwig von Mises, and Friedrich Hayek, offers a concise examination of economic fallacies that have become widely accepted. The book addresses non-governmental solutions, critiques government deficits, and emphasizes free markets and individual economic liberty while warning against government intervention. Economic commentators across the political spectrum have noted that Hazlitt's analysis anticipated economic crises that occurred decades after the book's initial publication. The work remains relevant to contemporary economic debates.