Here is a list of books (in no particular order) that you may find useful in understanding Mortgages, Economics, Finance, History, etc.  I have personally read each of these books and found something of value in each.  I hope you enjoy them.

Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith.  This is the granddaddy of all Economics books.  TWO major works came out in 1776.  For the political, you may have heard of the Declaration of Independence.  Wealth of Nations was at least as important in the world of Business & Finance.  Sometimes a tough read, but well worth it.

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Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.  At 1000+ pages this can be quite the daunting task.  However if you find it even half as rewarding as I did, it is well worth the effort.  Especially profound are her explanations of why capitalism is the only moral system of organizing people.

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1984 by George Orwell.  If you read this in High School, but haven't read it since, I strongly suggest you pick it up again.  This is as powerful a case for Freedom and Individual Rights that I know of.  And if you haven't read it, I won't spoil it for you beyond telling you that this is the book that coined the term "Big Brother".  I still think this is the scariest book I ever read.

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The Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer.  For anyone in any sales or entrepeneurial capacity, this is a must.  If nothing else, you can learn how to be a shameless self-promoter--and if you are in sales and aren't a shameless self-promoter, you have a problem.  My favorite tip from him: Rule #1.  Kick Your Own A--.

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Crash Proof by Peter Schiff.  Mr. Schiff accurately predicted the economic difficulties we are currently experiencing with pinpoint accuracy.  He explains the causes, and gives advice on how to protect your wealth (large or small) as the credit markets and other major sectors of the US economy continue to unwind.

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Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner.  Proving Economics can be fun!  Prepare yourself as some of the conclusions are "outside the norm" to say the least; but it is fascinating to see Economics principles applied in unusal (and sometimes controversial) circumstances.  Note there is a sequel on the market now, but I haven't yet read it.

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The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin.  No list of Economics or Finance books would be complete without this explanation of the Federal Reserve System.  Sound like a dry topic?  Nope.  This is a real page-turner, in addition to being true.  Well-supported with bibliography and photos.

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How an Economy Grows and Why It Doesn't by Irwin Schiff.  Simply the best introduction to Economics I have read.  It breaks down very complex topics and makes them easy-to-understand.  Unfortunately it has been out of print for a few years now, but if you can get your hands on one, I encourage you to do so.

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Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.  A classic, explaining in easy-to-understand terms what the rich know about assets and debts that the rest of us were never taught. 

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Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.  I know you've heard of the "power of positive thinking".  This book gives a step-by-step process to retrain your mind to be more positive and thereby bring success and riches to you.

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Fall of the Roman Republic by Plutarch.  Most of us have heard/seen/read about the Roman Emporers and their madness that helped bring about the end of the Roman Empire, along with the beginning of the Dark Ages.  This book describes the period just BEFORE the Army took control of the country and gave power to one man.  Remember that the Founding Fathers patterned the United States after the Roman Republic, even down to calling our upper chamber the Senate.  This study of the Roman Republic in its death throes is a fascinating--if frightening--look into the past and possibly our future.

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Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.  I remember when I read this in the 80s thinking "TVs will never get that big".  A great deal of what Mr. Bradbury was warning us against in this classic has now come to pass.  Here's a clue as to the subject matter: 451 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature at which books burn.

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The Revolution: A Manifesto by Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX).  Ever get the feeling when you watch the news that you're missing something?  Dr. Paul (he's an MD) may just help you to think about things in a new way.  I found this helped clarify some ideas I had had before but hadn't fully developed at the time.

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