Set in a psychiatric hospital in Oregon, the novel is narrated by a half-Native American patient known as Chief Bromden, who pretends to be deaf and mute. The story follows the arrival of a new patient, a boisterous, rebellious man who challenges the oppressive and dehumanizing system of the hospital, particularly the tyrannical Nurse Ratched. The book explores themes of individuality, rebellion, and the misuse of power, ultimately leading to a tragic conclusion.

This book is an extended essay that explores the topic of women in fiction, and the societal and economic hindrances that prevent them from achieving their full potential. The author uses a fictional narrator and narrative to explore the many difficulties that women writers faced throughout history, including the lack of education available to them and the societal expectations that limited their opportunities. The central argument is that a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.

This novel exposes the harsh conditions and exploited lives of immigrants in the United States in Chicago and similar industrialized cities. The protagonist, a young Lithuanian immigrant, works in the meatpacking industry and experiences the extreme poverty, poor working conditions, and lack of social services. The narrative explores the corruption of the American meatpacking industry in the early 20th century and the hardships faced by the working class, leading to significant public outcry that contributed to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act.

This influential political pamphlet advocates for the abolition of private property, the rights of the proletariat, and the eventual establishment of a classless society. The authors argue that all of history is a record of class struggle, culminating in the conflict between the bourgeoisie, who control the means of production, and the proletariat, who provide the labor. They predict that this struggle will result in a revolution, leading to a society where property and wealth are communally controlled.

This novel unfolds in a dystopian United States where society's most productive citizens, including inventors, scientists and industrialists, refuse to be exploited by increasing social and economic demands. As a response, they withdraw their talents, leading to the collapse of the economy. The story presents the author's philosophy of objectivism, which values reason, individualism, and capitalism, and rejects collectivism and altruism. The narrative primarily follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and John Galt, a philosophical leader and inventor, as they navigate this societal breakdown.

This influential economic treatise presents a groundbreaking theory that challenges classical economics, asserting that aggregate demand, driven by public and private sector spending, is the primary factor influencing economic activity and employment levels. The book also introduces the concept of fiscal and monetary policies as tools to manage economic downturns, thus shaping the foundation of modern macroeconomics. It further critiques the idea that market economies would automatically provide full employment and argues for active government intervention to prevent economic recessions and depressions.

This influential work is a comprehensive critique of political economy, exploring the complex nature of capitalism, its production processes, and its societal impact. The book delves into the intricacies of commodities, labor theory of value, surplus value, and exploitation, arguing that capitalism is inherently unstable and prone to periodic crises. It also posits that the capitalist system ultimately leads to the concentration of wealth in fewer hands, causing social inequality and paving the way for its own demise. The book is widely regarded as a foundational text in the development of socialist and communist ideologies.

"The Affluent Society" is a socio-economic critique that challenges the conventional wisdom of the time that economic growth leads to public wealth. The author argues that in reality, the increasing wealth of the United States has led to greater private affluence but public squalor due to inadequate investment in public goods and services. He proposes that society should strive for sustainable development rather than unlimited material advancement. The book has been influential in economic thought, particularly in the areas of public policy and consumer behavior.

This influential economic book presents a groundbreaking theory that argues for free market economies. The author posits that individuals acting in their own self-interest within a system of natural liberty will result in societal benefit, a concept often referred to as the "invisible hand" theory. The book also critiques mercantilism and explores concepts such as the division of labor, productivity, and free markets. It is widely considered one of the foundational texts in the field of economics.

"The Social Contract" is a philosophical work that discusses the concepts of sovereignty and the social contract. The author argues that all men are born free, but everywhere they are in chains, suggesting that society and its rules are a form of enslavement. However, he also posits that a social contract, where individuals come together to form a collective or a society, is necessary for the preservation of their freedom. This contract allows for the creation of a sovereign that is made up of the collective and expresses the general will, which is always right and tends towards the public utility.

This book is a comprehensive historical analysis of the formation of the English working class from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century. The author meticulously examines various aspects of society including the Industrial Revolution, the rise of Methodism, and political movements, arguing that the working class was not a byproduct of economic factors alone, but was actively self-formed through struggles over issues like workers' rights and political representation. The book is widely regarded as a seminal text in social history due to its focus on the experiences and agency of ordinary people.

"The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists" is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the lives of a group of working men in the fictional town of Mugsborough, and their struggle to survive in a society marred by poverty and exploitation. The story primarily focuses on a socialist protagonist who endeavors to enlighten his fellow workers about capitalism's inherent flaws and the necessity for social change, all while battling the dire conditions of his own life. The novel is a critique of capitalism and a call for a socialist revolution.

This book explores the role of competitive capitalism - the organization of the bulk of economic activity through private enterprise operating in a free market - as both a device for achieving economic freedom and a necessary condition for political freedom. The author further examines how freedom could be preserved in a society where the roles and importance of government are ever expanding, and presents his view on topics such as monetary policy, fiscal policy, education, discrimination, and the alleviation of poverty.

"Economy and Society" is a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between economy and society, focusing on the role of social actions and their impact on economic systems. The book presents a theoretical framework for understanding how economic and social structures influence each other, including the role of bureaucracy, power, and authority. The author also introduces his famous concept of the "Protestant Ethic", linking the rise of capitalism to certain aspects of Christian beliefs. The book is considered a fundamental text in sociology and economics, providing a deep understanding of social and economic phenomena.

"The Road to Serfdom" is a classic work of political philosophy and economics that argues against the concept of socialism and centralized economic planning. The author asserts that such systems inevitably lead to totalitarianism, infringing upon individual liberties and stifling innovation. The book further posits that only through free-market capitalism can societies maintain political and economic freedom. The author also explores the dangers of government control over means of production, illustrating that it leads to a loss of personal freedoms and the rise of dictatorial regimes.

This book presents a seminal work in modern political philosophy, where the author proposes a model of justice that, despite being egalitarian, respects individual rights. The author's "veil of ignorance" thought experiment, which suggests designing society from an original position where no one knows their future place in society, has been particularly influential. The author argues that this would lead to a system where each individual is assured basic liberties and socio-economic inequalities are only allowed if they benefit the least advantaged members of society.

This book is a sociological study that explores the relationship between the ethics of ascetic Protestantism and the emergence of the spirit of modern capitalism. The author argues that the religious ideas of groups such as the Calvinists played a role in creating the capitalistic spirit. The work is noted for its rigorous methodology and its contribution to the broader understanding of the origins and development of capitalism. It has been widely influential across social sciences, especially in sociology and economics.

The book provides an in-depth analysis of the interplay between capitalism, socialism, and democracy, arguing that capitalism is a catalyst for creative destruction and innovation, but also paves the way for socialism due to its inherent instability and tendency to create wealth inequality. It further suggests that democracy, while imperfect, is the best system to manage these economic systems. The author presents a unique perspective on the inevitable rise of socialism, not through revolution as Marx predicted, but through the legal and systematic erosion of capitalism by democratic means.

This book is a socio-economic critique of American consumerism and the upper class, written in the late 19th century. The author argues that the wealthy engage in conspicuous consumption and leisure to display their wealth and maintain their social status. He introduces the concept of "pecuniary emulation," suggesting that the lower classes imitate the consumption patterns of those above them, leading to a wasteful and inefficient economy. The book is a seminal work in the field of economics, providing a satirical yet insightful look into the behavior of the affluent.

This book is a collection of essays that challenge the established economic paradigm, arguing for a shift towards smaller, more sustainable systems. The author criticizes conventional capitalism for its focus on profit and growth, suggesting instead that economies should prioritize human well-being and environmental health. He presents a vision of "Buddhist economics," where work is viewed as a means to personal development and fulfillment, not just income generation. The book also offers practical solutions for implementing this new economic model, such as decentralization, appropriate technologies, and renewable energy.

This compilation of satirical works by a renowned author includes the infamous "A Modest Proposal," in which the author suggests that the solution to poverty in Ireland is for the poor to sell their children as food to the wealthy. The book also includes other satirical essays that critique societal and political issues of the time, employing irony and sarcasm to expose and criticize human vices and follies. The author's biting wit and masterful use of satire offer a scathing commentary on the social and political landscape of his era.

This book is a compelling oral history of the Great Depression, featuring a collection of interviews from a diverse range of individuals who lived through the era. The interviewees include both the ordinary people and famous figures of the time, from businessmen and politicians to artists and criminals. The book provides a vivid, first-hand account of the economic hardship, social changes, and emotional struggles experienced by people during the 1930s, offering a unique perspective on this significant period in American history.

This book is a profound critique of modern industrial agriculture, arguing that it degrades the land and disconnects people from their food sources. The author advocates for a return to more traditional, sustainable farming methods, which he believes will lead to healthier communities and a more balanced relationship with the environment. He also explores the broader cultural implications of this shift, including the potential for greater self-reliance and a deeper sense of connection to the natural world.

The book is a firsthand journalistic account of the author's experiment to survive on minimum wage jobs in America. She gives up her middle-class life to understand the reality of low-wage workers, working as a waitress, a hotel maid, a cleaning woman, a nursing home aide, and a retail chain employee. The book reveals the harsh and often overlooked conditions of the working poor, highlighting the struggle to afford even basic necessities, the lack of job security, and the physical toll of such work.

This book explores the hidden side of everything, debunking conventional wisdom and revealing surprising connections between seemingly unrelated things. It uses economic theories to explain social phenomena such as the decrease in crime rates in the 1990s, the impact of a person's name on their life outcomes, and the inner workings of drug gangs. By using data and statistics, it challenges the way people think about the world and encourages them to question the accepted truths in society.