Murray N. Rothbard vs. the Philosophers - Ludwig von Mises Institute

REVIEWS AND COMMENTS BY MURRAY N. ROTHBARD 91
liberal tradition and defends her subjects, she also praises
extravagantly someone like Pownall, with his etatist, imperialist,
and pro-bureaucratic biases, as someone somehow
particularly in tune with the “realities” of modern life. And
there are hints that she would not disfavor the egalitarianism
of some nineteenth-century followers. Generally, however,
she keeps a high average, and there are not many other
bad apples than the ones I have just named. And she is
devoted enough to her subjects not to be taken in by
Edmund Burke.
Another problem is that the book makes difficult reading;
the style leaves much to be desired, and it assumes a
considerable knowledge of eighteenth-century political history
on the part of the reader, who would otherwise be lost
in a sea of allusions. However, it remains an absolutely
indispensable and highly valuable reference work for anyone
interested in the history of libertarian thought or in the
intellectual history of the eighteenth century. I would very
strongly recommend it for National Book Foundation distribution.
Cordially,
Murray