Defending the Undefendable

Just how far can the principles of individual liberty be pushed? Walter Block pushes them just as far as he can in defense of the activities of scallywags, rogues, rascals, and scoundrels. From the premise that activities involving force and fraud are outlawed, Block defends all of those “capitalist acts between consenting adults” that horrify right-thinking Americans by showing that they are actually beneficial. “An outrageously funny yet ruthlessly logical book… If libertarians can’t speak out forthrightly for individual freedom in unpopular areas, we haven’t the courage of our alleged convictions. This book ought to be the cutting edge of the libertarian movement for years to come.” — D.T. Armentano “Walter Block argues that some of the most socially offensive members of society–including prostitutes, libelers and moneylenders–are ‘scapegoats’ whose actual social and economic value is not being appreciated. Startling and illuminating! Block’s lucid defenses often convince; sometimes they lead us to sharpen our attack. In either case, the reader cannot fail to be instructed and challenged by this mind-stretching, provocative, and occasionally infuriating book.” — Robert Nozick “This witty and wonderful book is a veritable manual of the ‘joy of freedom.’ If we were only half as interested in liberty as in lust, we would not have half the problems we have.” — Dr. Thomas Szasz “It is a magnificent book, a trailblazer. I would call it ‘Drano for Clogged Minds,’ except that Drano is neither amusing nor stimulating, and this book is both. Buy two copies–one for yourself and one for the person you want most to catch up with you.” — Roger Lea MacBride “There are things that I strongly agree with and things that I strongly disagree with, but the book throughout is amusingly and sharply reasoned, courageous and always provocative.” — Henry Hazlitt ” Defending the Undefendable made me feel that I was once more exposed to the shock therapy by which, more than fifty years ago, the late Ludwig von Mises converted me to a consistent free-market position. Some may find it too strong a medicine, but it will still do them good even if they hate it.” — F.A. Hayek “Until Prof. Block’s book, no economist had the courage to tackle the moral and economic status of the dozens of reviled and misunderstood occupations in our society.” — Murray Rothbard