This book is fun. It challenges readers to think about why some countries are rich, while others are poor. It explores alternative thinking about important economic, practical and philosophical matters. The variety of ideas will challenge readers to ponder, question, and engage in meaningful discussions. Underlying all this is the respect for, and tolerance of, the individual.

Since 1980, Ken has been writing economic commentaries for radio. Straight commentary from an academic economist was dry and uninteresting. He thought he would spice up these radio spots with fantasy dialogues. Friends were willing to perform with him, and so Jonathan Gullible was born.

Immediately, interest among listeners soared! The ideas were provocative and outlandish, yet they drove home hard-core free market ideas in a humorous way. Later, he enlisted a dozen friends as actors to produce the episodes as a dramatic series. Again it was a hit! Since then The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible: A Free Market Odyssey has been used for radio broadcasts, discussion groups, essay contests, skits and theatrical productions around the globe.

Each chapter, except the first, starts with a short "parable" about Jonathan Gullible and his encounters with the strange laws of an island and its inhabitants. The story highlights the absurdities of the laws, the controls imposed on people's lives, and the economic drawbacks of these laws. The laws are recognisable as common to countries throughout the world.

As the story unfolds, the part we play in political decision-making and personal responsibility is introduced for discussion. There are many subtle nuances. Sometimes people miss the meaning of a story, so each "parable" is followed by commentaries and relevant background information. These commentaries are meant to provide only the gist of each issue. Books and websites are recommended for further research. They will be particularly useful for projects and debates.

Questions following each chapter are guidelines for group discussions about self-responsibility and life skills that will arouse an interest in the areas of sociology, macroeconomics, philosophy, political science and ethics.

Teachers are warned that the book contains chapters that are critical of contemporary education systems. We feel that students should not be shielded from hard questions about schooling. Rather, we should trust students to take a hard look at the circumstances that are most familiar to them. Indeed, these chapters are typically the most popular with students.

Available in more than 30 languages, this widely acclaimed book has received numerous awards. These include :

Awarded the first annual Leonard E. Read Book award by the Foundation for Economic Education in 2002.	Thomas Leavey Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge 2001.	Twice awarded the George Washington Honor Medals for Economics Education & Public Communication, The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

First Published in 1987 and now available in more than 30 languages, The Adventures of Jonathan Gullibe A Freemarket Odyssey continues to fascinate readers around the world…

"It certainly presents basic economic principles in a very simple and intelligible form. It is an imaginative and very useful piece of work."

— MILTON FRIEDMAN,

Nobel Laureate in Economics

"My notions of education previously consisted of threadbare textbooks, stern and cold teachers, of sweating … I have realised that this book is the best textbook I have ever come across … I have learnt more about free markets, private property, free flow of ideas, people and goods, than during the whole of my studies, both a high school and now at university."

— VALERIJA DASIC, Belgrade, Serbia

"It is perhaps, the most clearly written and thus readily understandable presentation of all the too neglected philosophical legacy of Liberty and Free Market Economics that I have ever read."

— NICOLAI HEERING, member of

Libertas Society, Denmark

"[The book] makes you laugh, but it leaves you meditating, which is one of the most effective ways ever invented… in making them understand the principles of a free market economy and a free society."

— VALENTINA BUXAR

Foundation Liberala, Romania

Jonathan's Guiding Principles

Prologue

Epilogue

Acknowledgements and Notes

Recommended Reading

Recommended Organisations and Websites

Index