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Tuttle Twins #5
The Tuttle Twins and the Road to Surfdom
History abounds with examples of government officials making decisions, well-intentioned or otherwise, that harm others. Unfortunately, these unintended consequences are never anticipated, and rarely considered once they occur. As the Tuttle Twins find in their latest adventure, central planning can ruin people’s lives.
Nobel prize winning economist F.A. Hayek’s famous book The Road to Serfdom comes to life in this edition, showing that when people get what they wish for, they often get much more than they bargained. Read along as Ethan and Emily investigate a new road built to take travelers to a beach named Surfdom—and the disruption it brings to the entire community.
Nobel prize winning economist F.A. Hayek’s famous book The Road to Serfdom comes to life in this edition, showing that when people get what they wish for, they often get much more than they bargained. Read along as Ethan and Emily investigate a new road built to take travelers to a beach named Surfdom—and the disruption it brings to the entire community.
64 pages, Paperback
Published November 13, 2016
About the author
Connor Boyack
95 books272 followersConnor Boyack is founder and president of Libertas Institute, a libertarian think tank in Utah. In that capacity, he has spearheaded important policy reforms dealing with property rights, civil liberties, transparency, surveillance, and education freedom.
Connor is the author of several books, including the new Tuttle Twins series that teaches the principles of liberty to young children. Other books include Latter-day Liberty: A Gospel Approach to Government and Politics and its companion, Latter-day Responsibility: Choosing Liberty through Personal Accountability.
Connor's work has been publicly praised by former Representative Ron Paul, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Tom Woods, and other nationally recognized figures. He is a frequent commentator on current events and has appeared in local, national, and international interviews to publicize and comment on his work.
Connor is the author of several books, including the new Tuttle Twins series that teaches the principles of liberty to young children. Other books include Latter-day Liberty: A Gospel Approach to Government and Politics and its companion, Latter-day Responsibility: Choosing Liberty through Personal Accountability.
Connor's work has been publicly praised by former Representative Ron Paul, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Tom Woods, and other nationally recognized figures. He is a frequent commentator on current events and has appeared in local, national, and international interviews to publicize and comment on his work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 5, 2021
Sometimes government and people thinks they can solve one problem only to find out there are unintended consequences about their solution. An interesting look at central planning and what it can do. I liked that the twins were able to see and help find out what had happened to their favorite beach town.
I recommend this to anyone.
I recommend this to anyone.
July 29, 2021
2021-07-29 I listened to the audiobook, I did NOT read this paperback edition. Fascinating fictional story based on a significant theme in the book "The Road to Serfdom" by FA Hayek. Hayek's book is meant for adults, and can be difficult for those not familiar with economics, history or government actions. This Tuttle Twins story is very well done for kids 10-14, their parents, or anyone who wants to get a perspective on negative "unintended consequences" of supposedly positive plans and projects.
It is a pretty realistic local/state government plan gone bad (for some existing businesses and customers), if overly ambitious, condensation and simplified example of some of what Hayek was trying to get across.
Love to hear any comments from others who read this, on how well the story, and ideas in it, come across.
It is a pretty realistic local/state government plan gone bad (for some existing businesses and customers), if overly ambitious, condensation and simplified example of some of what Hayek was trying to get across.
Love to hear any comments from others who read this, on how well the story, and ideas in it, come across.
April 16, 2017
Good children's book based on Hayeks book. It tells a story of how central planning leads to unintended consequences.
March 31, 2021
A parent's review: Highly recommended
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2020
This is a children's version of the book "The Road to Serfdom" by FA Hayek. (This book continues on with the series of children's versions of books that have been read by libertarians. I think I have read the adult version of every single book in this series.)
This is a simple little read, it occurs to me to ask: Why didn't somebody think of this before?
A lot of times when people want to inculcate someone with a political agenda, the first place that they go is to schools so that they can catch children when they are young.
Why can't sauce for the goose be sauce for the gander?
The environmentalists have been doing this for a long time. (Think of how often you watch a cartoon where bad people are shown to be polluters, who are not polluting as a side effect of some productive economic activity. But, just doing it because they are "bad.")
And don't even get me started on the Gender Identity Disorder Self-Diagnosis Movement. (Drag queen story hours all over the place. And I remember WAY fewer people with Gender Identity Disorder than when I was in Middle School and high school.)
If you have a worldview that you would like to impart to your kids, better that you catch them young and take the responsibility for their education.
The Libertarian world view has some number of parts, and this is a substantial one. (Socialism-->Totalitarianism, in some number of steps.)
The illustrations are great, and my sons liked them a lot.
Verdict: Strongly recommended
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2020
This is a children's version of the book "The Road to Serfdom" by FA Hayek. (This book continues on with the series of children's versions of books that have been read by libertarians. I think I have read the adult version of every single book in this series.)
This is a simple little read, it occurs to me to ask: Why didn't somebody think of this before?
A lot of times when people want to inculcate someone with a political agenda, the first place that they go is to schools so that they can catch children when they are young.
Why can't sauce for the goose be sauce for the gander?
The environmentalists have been doing this for a long time. (Think of how often you watch a cartoon where bad people are shown to be polluters, who are not polluting as a side effect of some productive economic activity. But, just doing it because they are "bad.")
And don't even get me started on the Gender Identity Disorder Self-Diagnosis Movement. (Drag queen story hours all over the place. And I remember WAY fewer people with Gender Identity Disorder than when I was in Middle School and high school.)
If you have a worldview that you would like to impart to your kids, better that you catch them young and take the responsibility for their education.
The Libertarian world view has some number of parts, and this is a substantial one. (Socialism-->Totalitarianism, in some number of steps.)
The illustrations are great, and my sons liked them a lot.
Verdict: Strongly recommended
February 23, 2023
This is book 5 in the Tuttle twins series. We've read the first 4 and those were great. This one isn't the best. It clearly explains the flaws of central planning, but doesn't do enough to offer viable solutions or alternatives to the problem. They leave it by saying individualism is good and individuals should be left to make decisions on what's best for themselves. This doesn't adequately explain how something like a road system that affects every person and business should be handled. Even my 6 year old was disappointed with the end. She said "but they didn't even tell us how to fix the problem!"
October 9, 2024
This is another installment in the Tittle Twins series I am reading with my children. Offers a great perspective on the possible ramifications and harmful effects of government "good will" and intervention. The road to loss and misery is often paved with good intentions.
August 11, 2021
A great, easy to understand read about the perils of central planning.
March 22, 2024
Book 5 in a series aimed to teach children how money works. This one focuses on central planning and unintended consequences to local economies.
September 22, 2021
This one was decent. Not as clear a point they were trying to make here . . .
No doubt Eminent Domain is bad, but this book barely touches it.
Was the new road bad?
The town of La Playa was hurt, but the town of Surfdom was built up . . . seems like a wash.
Roads should be maintained, fixed, and built . . . We can discuss privatizing the industry, but unless we make everything a toll road there is little incentive to do so.
Was voting on the new road bad?
In that case, you'll never get new roads built, or even old roads maintained for that matter.
Underhanded politicians are never mentioned. The road is voted on. The people at least had a choice.
Surfdom is an actual thing. It means you don't own the land you live and work on . . . but again this book never really covers that. Eminent Domain is shown in a picture, but never discussed. The people of La Playa still own their residence, their property value happened to tank. I'd imagine a big developer will be along shortly to buy up the land and do something else with it (condos, a minimall, something, I don't know). The land is on a popular and beautiful beach.
The message here wasn't entirely clearly . . . I didn't see the hands of Communism at work (maybe stupid voting which is basically how communism starts), but this sounds like free economics at work. Except, of course, Eminent Domain, which is basically evil. If the dairy farm had been left alone and the road moved three miles north, La Playa still would have died.
*****UPDATE*****
So, the author sends out weekly emails and in his email this past week he mentioned this book and the point he was trying to make. It is more about the unintended consequences of voting (especially if we are voting for a moral issue). An easy example is minimum wage laws. While it seems moral, like it helps people, it actually drives the people it is seeking to help out of the work force. The law has consequences that politicians refuse to consider and the people never intended. This did shed more light on this book, but I stand by my criticism of the point not really being clear within the story.
No doubt Eminent Domain is bad, but this book barely touches it.
Was the new road bad?
The town of La Playa was hurt, but the town of Surfdom was built up . . . seems like a wash.
Roads should be maintained, fixed, and built . . . We can discuss privatizing the industry, but unless we make everything a toll road there is little incentive to do so.
Was voting on the new road bad?
In that case, you'll never get new roads built, or even old roads maintained for that matter.
Underhanded politicians are never mentioned. The road is voted on. The people at least had a choice.
Surfdom is an actual thing. It means you don't own the land you live and work on . . . but again this book never really covers that. Eminent Domain is shown in a picture, but never discussed. The people of La Playa still own their residence, their property value happened to tank. I'd imagine a big developer will be along shortly to buy up the land and do something else with it (condos, a minimall, something, I don't know). The land is on a popular and beautiful beach.
The message here wasn't entirely clearly . . . I didn't see the hands of Communism at work (maybe stupid voting which is basically how communism starts), but this sounds like free economics at work. Except, of course, Eminent Domain, which is basically evil. If the dairy farm had been left alone and the road moved three miles north, La Playa still would have died.
*****UPDATE*****
So, the author sends out weekly emails and in his email this past week he mentioned this book and the point he was trying to make. It is more about the unintended consequences of voting (especially if we are voting for a moral issue). An easy example is minimum wage laws. While it seems moral, like it helps people, it actually drives the people it is seeking to help out of the work force. The law has consequences that politicians refuse to consider and the people never intended. This did shed more light on this book, but I stand by my criticism of the point not really being clear within the story.
October 23, 2020
A play on the economic dissertation The Road to Serfdom by Nobel Prize winner F. A. Hayek, Connor Boyack engages children in the principles of free market economics and the devastation that can happen when the forces of central planning and eminent domain by Big Government take over.
I'd heard much about the Tuttle Twins from a friend and on social media, and I'm glad we ordered this series. Many adults might benefit from the simple but foundational topics covered here; if your experience was like mine, you learned Social Studies, not civics, in your school experience (thanks, I recently discovered, from John Dewey, the father of Progressive Education and a devout Humanist and admirer of Karl Marx). These basic governmental topics were never discussed to my recollection, and the detriment of this infused corruption in both government and private schools has hurt a whole generation, I am only recently understanding.
This is book #5 in the series, and my favorite so far.
I'd heard much about the Tuttle Twins from a friend and on social media, and I'm glad we ordered this series. Many adults might benefit from the simple but foundational topics covered here; if your experience was like mine, you learned Social Studies, not civics, in your school experience (thanks, I recently discovered, from John Dewey, the father of Progressive Education and a devout Humanist and admirer of Karl Marx). These basic governmental topics were never discussed to my recollection, and the detriment of this infused corruption in both government and private schools has hurt a whole generation, I am only recently understanding.
This is book #5 in the series, and my favorite so far.
February 21, 2017
the longest book my 4yo has ever sat through. I think it will work better for him a little later but he seemed interested and this was my first Tuttle book so I didn't know better. highly recommended nonetheless!
October 13, 2022
This is good for opening up discussion and showing the scope of consequences to a decision. Unfortunately, the problem with simplifying a complicated concept can be oversimplification, which is what seems to have happened here.
October 4, 2025
Book 5: The Tuttle Twins and the Road to Surfdom
Based on the book The Road to Surfdom by, nobel prize-winning economist, F. A. Hayek and the concepts of central planning, collectivism, eminent domain, & individualism.
Positive content:
• Establishes the connection between commerce and infrastructure.
Negative Content
• People voted for a new highway and then when the new highway took business somewhere else they blame it on corrupt policy instead of seeing as free market forces
• Tells of a farmer losing his farm to eminent domain but never explains where the government gets that power and what it is supposed to be used for.
• Policies are blamed on Central Planning which the book slants to being the decisions of a few that effect the many without their input. Does not discuss the idea of delegation and division of labor.
• Book pits individualism against collectivism without talking about the benefits of economies of scale
• Book talks about “unintended consequences” but acts like it is only the problem of the government not of individuals as well.
• “Central planning inevitably produces unforeseen results that harm people-something not intended by those in power, but a predictable byproduct of government planning nonetheless.” (no it’s a byproduct of humans not being omniscient.
Consensus: The bias is heavy in this one, but also obvious so may prompt good discussion?
Based on the book The Road to Surfdom by, nobel prize-winning economist, F. A. Hayek and the concepts of central planning, collectivism, eminent domain, & individualism.
Positive content:
• Establishes the connection between commerce and infrastructure.
Negative Content
• People voted for a new highway and then when the new highway took business somewhere else they blame it on corrupt policy instead of seeing as free market forces
• Tells of a farmer losing his farm to eminent domain but never explains where the government gets that power and what it is supposed to be used for.
• Policies are blamed on Central Planning which the book slants to being the decisions of a few that effect the many without their input. Does not discuss the idea of delegation and division of labor.
• Book pits individualism against collectivism without talking about the benefits of economies of scale
• Book talks about “unintended consequences” but acts like it is only the problem of the government not of individuals as well.
• “Central planning inevitably produces unforeseen results that harm people-something not intended by those in power, but a predictable byproduct of government planning nonetheless.” (no it’s a byproduct of humans not being omniscient.
Consensus: The bias is heavy in this one, but also obvious so may prompt good discussion?
December 7, 2024
I read Hayek’s Road to Serfdom a few years ago. I was curious how Connor Boyack would portray individualism, collectivism and other economic principles on a middle school reading level. Boyack used the story of a once popular beach town, La Playa, that has met major economic downfall due to the unexpected consequences of the creation of a new road. It was a really well done depiction of a seemingly good centralized plan for the new road that led to the development of a new beach destination, “Surfdom” and the demise of La Playa.
June 2, 2022
Here we find the kids learning about a new super highway that bypasses the old resort town in favor of some new expensive, corporate monstrosity on the coast. The old town is now economically devastated, while the new area is exploited for profit. Even the politicians in this one seem to know they screwed up. I guess the lesson is don't let the corporate fun-lands convince you their new resort is going to help everyone.
June 2, 2022
An interesting tale with an emphasis on unintended consequences. It does not address Friedrich Hayek's contention that central planning by the government is a threat to individual liberty; the book(let) only mentions the problem of governmental central planning in passing, highlighting the secondary problem of unintended consequences..
March 17, 2023
My favorite character is Ben because he's great at reporting the news. I was surprised because Surfdom was so mean yet so popular. I would change the ending to where La playa buys Surfdom and
destroys the road going threw the farmer's house and then all is well. I would definitely not put the road threw the farmer's house.
destroys the road going threw the farmer's house and then all is well. I would definitely not put the road threw the farmer's house.
June 22, 2026
I love that my kids noticed at the end of the book that sometimes bad things happen not because people are bad, but because they’re trying to help, but there can be unintended consequences to trying to fix and control problems and their outcomes. They also really liked the story with the twins and their family. Wonderful book!
September 1, 2021
This has such a brief intro to central planning and unintended consequences that I'm still not sure what to think of this. However, I think it may spark some interest in future research and study. I do think that the opinions presented are incomplete.
April 2, 2019
Homeschool class for my daughter. She worked on the packet/workbook with the book and will listen to The Road to Surfdom by F.A. Hayek.
October 25, 2019
Well-illustrated, an engaging story, and demonstrates unintended consequences, but doesn't really represent Hayek's classic work. Still recommended.
April 28, 2020
Interesting, quick look at how central planning (decisions by the few) lead to consequences that aren’t so great. Planning and making choices as individuals or communities often fare better.
March 6, 2021
See my review for book #1
April 1, 2021
My son Sully is really enjoying these books with me! He is 8 almost 9
May 7, 2021
I liked it because it was against the government making rules for everyone. I want people to make their own decisions.
September 22, 2021
Clever. Can’t wait for my kids to read it.
January 1, 2022
I believe they should have explained eminent domain more.
February 15, 2022
The theme of this book is unintended consequences, when the government passes laws with seemingly good intentions but have consequences that hurt some people unintentionally.
February 25, 2022
I love the Tuttle twins series. You should read it.
May 24, 2022
Great story to explain unintended consequences. Beginner step to understand collectivism, individualism, and why it is important to protect free market.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews