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My Years With Ludwig von Mises
Immediatley after his death, Margit von Mises, the widow of Ludwig von Mises, set out to write a book about the man, her husband, the teacher and mentor of so many eminent economists. My Years with Ludwig von Mises (second enlarged edition), tells of life in old Vienna and Geneva, and describes the Mises' escape through France, Spain, and Portugal to the United States. It portrays the master in Vienna, Geneva, and New York, and follows him to Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and many other places where he lectured. The book provides fascinating glimpses of the many distinguished people who were touched by this man.
230 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 19, 2017
Wondrous look into the life and person of "Lu." Paints a much broader picture about the struggles, sadness, and joys of the great economist from Austria-- devastatingly under appreciated and much needed in our time.
November 16, 2016
An enjoyable and interesting look at the history of Ludwig von Mises from the perspective of his sassy wife. It doesn't go too deeply into technicalities (thankfully!) but it paints a lively picture of the struggles and pleasures of his husband, including the social circles - intellectual, artistic and political - in which the Mises family effortlessly felt at home, and the colourful (and often tragic) historical circumstances that led to their emigration from Vienna to New York. For historians of the Austrian school, this is essential reading. There are a lot of interesting anecdotes, letters, meetings and gossip, here, from almost half a century of meetings with remarkable men (and some women).
In the end, I would have preferred a more critical and insightful look at Mises, including some juicy gossip about the more intimate details of their marriage. But while the book is unremarkable in its revelations, and somewhat lacking in critical distance (Mises is painted as perhaps the greatest intellectual genius of the 20th century), it is sympathetic and personal, reflecting its author's charming personality. It offers a fun snapshot of the busy environment around a great economist.
In the end, I would have preferred a more critical and insightful look at Mises, including some juicy gossip about the more intimate details of their marriage. But while the book is unremarkable in its revelations, and somewhat lacking in critical distance (Mises is painted as perhaps the greatest intellectual genius of the 20th century), it is sympathetic and personal, reflecting its author's charming personality. It offers a fun snapshot of the busy environment around a great economist.
September 11, 2013
I'm generally not one to read biographies and memoirs, but I was delighted by this little gem, which I found nestled in the stacks of Baldwin's Book Barn in West Chester, PA. Having been aware of Mises' economic work for some time now, I've known very little about his life. Honestly, before I picked up this book I couldn't have even said for sure whether he had been married.
Even for someone who isn't familiar with Mises' academic and professional work, the story of his meeting Margit, their long courtship, their escape from Austria and flight to America are all worth reading. And that happens in the first few chapters! The second half of the book is a bit more heady, but Margit's recollection of their many trips while Mises gave seminars and speaking tours are interesting as well, especially their trips to Latin America.
For anyone who is interested in this book, note that free copies in multiple formats are available via the Mises Institute website: http://mises.org/document/3199/
Even for someone who isn't familiar with Mises' academic and professional work, the story of his meeting Margit, their long courtship, their escape from Austria and flight to America are all worth reading. And that happens in the first few chapters! The second half of the book is a bit more heady, but Margit's recollection of their many trips while Mises gave seminars and speaking tours are interesting as well, especially their trips to Latin America.
For anyone who is interested in this book, note that free copies in multiple formats are available via the Mises Institute website: http://mises.org/document/3199/
April 27, 2016
Really great perspective to get the wife’s take on living with Ludwig. If the US would put into place the principles which Von Misis enumerates, we would be so much better off economically. This book shows how they lived through World War II as Austrians fleeing their homeland. Gleaned many insights for my own marriage and a very interesting view into life in the middle 20th century before and after World War II. Her care for her husband is lovely as is his care for her.
June 1, 2009
Very interesting book. I especially enjoyed the historical commentary of what was going on around her. It will be interesting to learn more of the ideas of Ludwig. Apparently Ayn Rand was a fan to.
May 31, 2013
A very enjoyable read, well written and hard to put down. What an incredible man and incredible mind. Truly a legend among men. I have so much more respect for him and his exhaustive and impressive legacy and library.
March 21, 2012
Fascinating book...there's some great travel writing in here.
January 19, 2013
I love biographies and personal stories. This one was particularly nice to get lost in.
October 24, 2023
MISES’ WIFE PRESENTS A ‘PERSONAL’ SIDE TO HIM
Margit von Mises (Mises’ wife) wrote in the Preface to the First Edition (1976) of this book, “this book … is neither a scientific work nor a book of wisdom. But hopefully it will give the reader more insight about the personality of my husband. When Ludwig von Mises died on October 10, 1973, newspapers and magazines … published … reviews of his work and life. Btu no [one] … wrote about him as a human being… Ludwig von Mises was a very private person…. His speeches, his writings, his books belonged to the world, but his feelings belonged to me. I have reason to believe that I am the only person who really knew the man, the human being. That is why I wrote this book. The wish to bring him closer to his students, and many readers… compelled me… I knew only too well… how his pupils adored him. But I also knew that no one got near to him without a certain hesitation, because they felt how great the spirit was that hid behind the simplicity of his ways. I hope that the story of our life together … will bring him closer to the reader. I would be happy if I could succeed to show him as … a great thinker, a great scholar, a teacher of rare power, but still a lonely man with a great longing for warmth, understanding, and love.”
She recalls, “In the first years of our relationship, Lu was almost an enigma to me… I think it was the extreme honesty in Lu’s feelings that attracted me so strongly to him. These feelings were so overpowering that he, who wrote thousands of pages about economics and money, could not find the words to talk about himself and explain his feelings.” (Pg. 1-19)
She recounts, “One day Lu told me he had been offered a high position at … the foremost banking institution in Vienna, but that he had decided not to accept it… he told me that a great ‘crash’ would be coming and that he did not want his name in any way connected with it. He preferred to write and teach. ‘If you want a rich man,’ he told me, ‘don’t marry me. I am not interested in earning money. I am WRITING about money, but will never have much of my own.’ I did not need to answer… It was only him whom I wanted.” (Pg. 23-24)
She reports, “there was one thing about him that I never understood and still don’t understand… he refused to talk about our past… It was as if he had put the past in a trunk… and thrown away the key… he never, never… referred to our life together… before our marriage… Occasionally he showed terrible outbursts of tantrums. I do not really know what else to call them… Suddenly his temper would flare up, mostly about a small, unimportant happening. He would lose control of himself, start to shout and say things, which … were so unexpected, so unbelievable, that when it happened the first few times I was frightened to death… It was impossible to reason with him…” (Pg. 35-36)
She states, “Lu adapted more quickly to marriage than I did… I had to live in an apartment … far too small for a couple… He had his studio, his books, and his desk… his room was a sanctuary that could not… be changed… I had to change my pattern of life completely… if I wanted to make him happy… this could only be done if I could make HIS life MY life… and only if I could keep this feeling alive in me would out marriage be the success he was hoping for.” (Pg. 37-38)
She reveals, ‘Lu needed me at home. Without me or a housekeeper, he was completely helpless; he did not even know how to boil an egg… Lu never learned that his right hand could be used for other purposes than writing. His manual dexterity was zero. But I knew his weaknesses… and perhaps I loved him the more for them.” (Pg. 81)
She notes, “Lu was a great defender of women and never doubted their mental capacities or potentials. His seminar in Vi8enna was well known for the many highly gifted women who attended and who later became leading figures in economics and education. I would not be astonished if one day ‘Women’s Lib’ would discover Lu---once the activists have overcome their anxiety problems concerning equality of sex and consider politics and economics their most important tasks. If they do, they may well declare my husband one of their heroes.” (Pg. 140-141)
She recounts, “When the doctor advised Lu to give up smoking, I was sorry. I liked to see him with a cigarette, for then he was relaxed and in a good mood. He loved smoking… it was not easy for him to give it up, especially while he worked… he felt almost ashamed that the longing for a cigarette could overpower him and break his will.” (Pg. 144)
She reports that a lawyer named Joaquin Reig “directed Lu’s attention to the fact that [Murray] Rothbard, one of Lu’s most able and admiring pupils, did not completely agree with Lu’s analysis of monopoly. Lu replied, ‘Whatever Rothbard has written in this work [‘Man, Economy and State’] is of the greatest importance.’” (Pg. 160)
She notes that Mises “specially objected to listening to commentors. ‘I can do my thinking alone,’ was his reaction. An exception was [William F.] Buckley’s ‘Firing Line.’ Buckley’s intelligence, his sharp and biting wit, his zeal and eminent productivity impressed Lu greatly. Lu was a steady reader of ‘National Review,’ but often regretted that that magazine lacked sound economic articles, which he regarded as a mistake of Buckley’s publishing policy.” (Pg. 171-172)
She concludes, “my husband’s centennial was celebrated all over the world. His followers and students showed the process through which his place in the history of economic thought is gaining its rightful recognition and which… will assure him his proper place in history. The hope for my husband’s works having, at long last, a political impact is evidenced by the fact that President Reagan has endorsed his ideas. In a telegram sent to the Center for Libertarian Studies on the occasion of my husband’s hundredth birthday, Mr. Reagan wrote as follows: ‘I am proud to join you in honoring the memory of Ludwig von Mises, a scholar of first rank whose original contributions to economic science make him one of the greatest economic thinkers in the history of Western Civilization. Not since the Enlightenment has such a finely developed mind focused on the intellectual underpinnings of the free society… We owe an incalculable debt to this dean of the Austrian school of economics for expanding our knowledge and inspiring a new vision of liberty in our age.’” (Pg. 197-198)
This book will be “must reading” for anyone wanting to know more about Mises the MAN, not just the ECONOMIST.
Margit von Mises (Mises’ wife) wrote in the Preface to the First Edition (1976) of this book, “this book … is neither a scientific work nor a book of wisdom. But hopefully it will give the reader more insight about the personality of my husband. When Ludwig von Mises died on October 10, 1973, newspapers and magazines … published … reviews of his work and life. Btu no [one] … wrote about him as a human being… Ludwig von Mises was a very private person…. His speeches, his writings, his books belonged to the world, but his feelings belonged to me. I have reason to believe that I am the only person who really knew the man, the human being. That is why I wrote this book. The wish to bring him closer to his students, and many readers… compelled me… I knew only too well… how his pupils adored him. But I also knew that no one got near to him without a certain hesitation, because they felt how great the spirit was that hid behind the simplicity of his ways. I hope that the story of our life together … will bring him closer to the reader. I would be happy if I could succeed to show him as … a great thinker, a great scholar, a teacher of rare power, but still a lonely man with a great longing for warmth, understanding, and love.”
She recalls, “In the first years of our relationship, Lu was almost an enigma to me… I think it was the extreme honesty in Lu’s feelings that attracted me so strongly to him. These feelings were so overpowering that he, who wrote thousands of pages about economics and money, could not find the words to talk about himself and explain his feelings.” (Pg. 1-19)
She recounts, “One day Lu told me he had been offered a high position at … the foremost banking institution in Vienna, but that he had decided not to accept it… he told me that a great ‘crash’ would be coming and that he did not want his name in any way connected with it. He preferred to write and teach. ‘If you want a rich man,’ he told me, ‘don’t marry me. I am not interested in earning money. I am WRITING about money, but will never have much of my own.’ I did not need to answer… It was only him whom I wanted.” (Pg. 23-24)
She reports, “there was one thing about him that I never understood and still don’t understand… he refused to talk about our past… It was as if he had put the past in a trunk… and thrown away the key… he never, never… referred to our life together… before our marriage… Occasionally he showed terrible outbursts of tantrums. I do not really know what else to call them… Suddenly his temper would flare up, mostly about a small, unimportant happening. He would lose control of himself, start to shout and say things, which … were so unexpected, so unbelievable, that when it happened the first few times I was frightened to death… It was impossible to reason with him…” (Pg. 35-36)
She states, “Lu adapted more quickly to marriage than I did… I had to live in an apartment … far too small for a couple… He had his studio, his books, and his desk… his room was a sanctuary that could not… be changed… I had to change my pattern of life completely… if I wanted to make him happy… this could only be done if I could make HIS life MY life… and only if I could keep this feeling alive in me would out marriage be the success he was hoping for.” (Pg. 37-38)
She reveals, ‘Lu needed me at home. Without me or a housekeeper, he was completely helpless; he did not even know how to boil an egg… Lu never learned that his right hand could be used for other purposes than writing. His manual dexterity was zero. But I knew his weaknesses… and perhaps I loved him the more for them.” (Pg. 81)
She notes, “Lu was a great defender of women and never doubted their mental capacities or potentials. His seminar in Vi8enna was well known for the many highly gifted women who attended and who later became leading figures in economics and education. I would not be astonished if one day ‘Women’s Lib’ would discover Lu---once the activists have overcome their anxiety problems concerning equality of sex and consider politics and economics their most important tasks. If they do, they may well declare my husband one of their heroes.” (Pg. 140-141)
She recounts, “When the doctor advised Lu to give up smoking, I was sorry. I liked to see him with a cigarette, for then he was relaxed and in a good mood. He loved smoking… it was not easy for him to give it up, especially while he worked… he felt almost ashamed that the longing for a cigarette could overpower him and break his will.” (Pg. 144)
She reports that a lawyer named Joaquin Reig “directed Lu’s attention to the fact that [Murray] Rothbard, one of Lu’s most able and admiring pupils, did not completely agree with Lu’s analysis of monopoly. Lu replied, ‘Whatever Rothbard has written in this work [‘Man, Economy and State’] is of the greatest importance.’” (Pg. 160)
She notes that Mises “specially objected to listening to commentors. ‘I can do my thinking alone,’ was his reaction. An exception was [William F.] Buckley’s ‘Firing Line.’ Buckley’s intelligence, his sharp and biting wit, his zeal and eminent productivity impressed Lu greatly. Lu was a steady reader of ‘National Review,’ but often regretted that that magazine lacked sound economic articles, which he regarded as a mistake of Buckley’s publishing policy.” (Pg. 171-172)
She concludes, “my husband’s centennial was celebrated all over the world. His followers and students showed the process through which his place in the history of economic thought is gaining its rightful recognition and which… will assure him his proper place in history. The hope for my husband’s works having, at long last, a political impact is evidenced by the fact that President Reagan has endorsed his ideas. In a telegram sent to the Center for Libertarian Studies on the occasion of my husband’s hundredth birthday, Mr. Reagan wrote as follows: ‘I am proud to join you in honoring the memory of Ludwig von Mises, a scholar of first rank whose original contributions to economic science make him one of the greatest economic thinkers in the history of Western Civilization. Not since the Enlightenment has such a finely developed mind focused on the intellectual underpinnings of the free society… We owe an incalculable debt to this dean of the Austrian school of economics for expanding our knowledge and inspiring a new vision of liberty in our age.’” (Pg. 197-198)
This book will be “must reading” for anyone wanting to know more about Mises the MAN, not just the ECONOMIST.
September 29, 2018
It was a very interesting reading as I didn't know anything from Mises' personal life.
May 17, 2020
Some of the best biographies are written by the wife. This was a great insight into Mises' life, his work, and beliefs. I envy all those that were able to attend any seminar/talk he gave.
May 11, 2024
charming
May 2, 2025
Este libro lo disfrutarán aquellos que hayan leído y asimilado la gran obra de ese coloso intelectual que fue Ludwig von Mises. A un hombre de tal altura intelectual, su elegante mujer le rinde un bello y sentido homenaje.
December 20, 2023
A delightful look at the life of a very famous couple. My father had the privilege of meeting Ludwig and we have a autographed photo of him that has been passed down to us.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews