America's Great Depression

Name: America's Great Depression
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3 (661 reviews)
Author: Murray N. Rothbard

Capitalism’s Crisis—Through a Libertarian Lens

Written byMurray N. Rothbard

Narrated byTom Weiner

Length9h16m

Release dateJune 18, 2008

GenreHistory, Americas, United States

LanguageEnglish

★★★★★ 4.3 (661 ratings)

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Quick Facts

Author	Murray N. Rothbard
Narrator	Tom Weiner
Runtime	9h16m
Published	June 18, 2008
Rating	★★★★★ 4.3 / 5 (661 ratings)
Categories	History, Americas, United States, Money & Finance, Economics, Economic History
Format	Audiobook (Digital)
Platform	Audible

About This Audiobook

*America’s Great Depression* isn’t just another economic history—it’s a provocative, free-market counter-narrative to the New Deal’s saintly reputation. Murray Rothbard, the fiery Austrian economist, dismantles the myth that government intervention saved the 1930s, arguing instead that Hoover and FDR’s policies *prolonged* the agony. This isn’t dry academia: Rothbard writes with the urgency of a prosecutor, weaving together monetary policy, labor laws, and political blunders into a damning case against state meddling. His libertarian lens will thrill (or infuriate) depending on your politics, but the rigor is undeniable.

Tom Weiner’s narration is a masterclass in balancing gravitas and clarity. His measured pace—neither rushed nor sleepy—lets Rothbard’s arguments breathe, while his slight rasp lends an air of world-weary authority, as if he’s recounting a tragedy he witnessed firsthand. The production is clean, with no distracting edits, though purists might wish for more vocal dynamism during Rothbard’s most scathing passages. What sets this apart? It’s not just *about* the Depression; it’s a manifesto disguised as history, daring you to rethink everything you thought you knew.

Tags: libertarian economic historycontroversial takes on FDRAustrian School deep diveunflinching policy critiquenarrated like a courtroom argumentfor contrarian history buffs

Why Listen to America's Great Depression?

Expert narration by Tom Weiner brings every character and scene to life across 9h16m of immersive audio.
Highly rated at 4.3 stars by 661 listeners.
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Editor's Review ★★★★★

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit: I approached this audiobook as a skeptic. The Great Depression as a *government-fueled* disaster? But Rothbard’s case is so meticulously built—from the Fed’s monetary bungling to the Smoot-Hawley Tariff’s stranglehold on trade—that even if you don’t buy his conclusions, you’ll respect the craft. The standout chapter on Hoover’s ‘voluntary’ wage controls (spoiler: they weren’t voluntary) had me pausing to Google primary sources. That’s the mark of great nonfiction—it sends you down rabbit holes. Weiner’s narration is mostly excellent, though I docked half a star for his occasional monotony during dense statistical stretches. A touch more inflection in those sections would’ve helped. The pacing, however, is perfect: at 9 hours, it’s long enough to dig deep without feeling bloated. My biggest critique? Rothbard’s dismissal of Keynesianism feels *too* breezy at times, as if he assumes the listener already scoffs at deficit spending. Still, this isn’t just an audiobook—it’s a debate starter. Listen with a highlighter (or bookmark tool) ready; you’ll want to revisit his takedowns of the NRA or the gold standard’s role. Love it or hate it, it’ll make you argue back at your headphones.

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