Free to Choose: A Personal StatementFree to Choose: A Personal Statement
Score Classic
What it's about
Economists Milton and Rose Friedman explain economics for ordinary readers and argue that freedom and prosperity have been undermined by the growth of laws, regulations, agencies and government spending, and that good intentions often produce bad results when government is the middleman.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 6 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It's one of the most influential defenses of free markets ever written.
You'll love it if you liked
Capitalism and Freedom
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
The Price of PeaceGood to know
It accompanied a 1980 PBS television series. It's strongly argued, from one point of view.
By the numbers
- Readers56 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller39 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking
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A Brief History of TimeExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →Quick answers
Is Free to Choose: A Personal Statement worth reading?
Yes. It spent 6 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It ranks #1,672 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 66.8 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Free to Choose: A Personal Statement about?
Economists Milton and Rose Friedman explain economics for ordinary readers and argue that freedom and prosperity have been undermined by the growth of laws, regulations, agencies and government spending, and that good intentions often produce bad results when government is the middleman.
How long does it take to read Free to Choose: A Personal Statement?
About 9 hours (352 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Free to Choose: A Personal Statement?
If you liked it, try Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman, Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner or The Price of Peace by Zachary D. Carter.


















