A firm foundation in economics is essential for understanding the financial market in the context of the big economic picture. Sometimes, the behaviour of the market seems to make sense when viewed through the short-term perspective at the ?microscopic? level. But when viewed through the lens of the overall long-term big picture, one can discern the imprudence of the market. Thus, a contrarian investor who can see the big picture is in a better position to make astute investment decisions in the midst of an overwhelming deluge of conflicting and contradictory news, information, rumours and chatters in the market.

Below are the books that we believe can impart great wisdom to you in the field of economics:

	If you need to understand the basics of economics, then this book is for you. Unlike conventional university economics textbooks, which are usually dry, boring and full of theoretical and abstract ideas, this book is full of practical examples, simple explanations and humour for the layman. As the preface of the book said, ?You certainly do not have to be a master mechanic to drive a car and do it well. You do not have to be a botanist to grow a flower, or a physician to take care of your body. By the same token you do not have to be a professional economist to have a basic understanding of your economic environment.? We cannot agree more. This is how economics should be.
	The book is an introduction to the Austrian School of economic thought, which is the alternative to the mainstream Neo-Classical approach to economics. Instead of studying economics in terms of abstract mathematical theories and models that are too far removed from real life, the Austrian School place economics on sound human basis. As the introduction of this book says, the Austrian School ?avoids the traps that plague most of modern economics: the assumption of selfishness as the basic human motivation, a narrow definition of rational behaviour, and the overuse of unrealistic models.?
	This is a grand economic treatise was written by the late Ludwig Von Mises (1881 – 1973), who is an adherent of the Austrian School of economic thought. In this classic of economics, Mises meticulously built up the broad vision of free-market capitalist economics from the ground up, block-by-block, piece-by-piece. Through expositional explanation of the whole economy from the level of the individual actions, choices and preferences, he shows how complete complex market phenomena develop. Be warned though- this is a tough book!
	This highly influential book, written by the late Professor Murray N. Rothbard, has influenced two generations of economists, investors, and business professionals. In this book, you will be led through a firm foundation of economic history and theory, learning about the origins, history and fundamentals of money and how it works. For those with opposing viewpoints, Rothbard carefully dissect their arguments with clearly and sharply thought through rebuttals. This book is also a criticism of the current global fiat monetary system, which Rothbard elucidated clearly to be essentially unsound. Rothbard also chronicled the path taken by the West over the past two centuries towards monetary breakdown. He advocated return to a market-controlled gold-based money as oppose to government-controlled unsound money. If past millenniums of human history are any guide, they do not bode well for the current state of affairs.