• "Well written, well researched, and the thesis put forth is well argued.... Woods has opened up an area of historical analysis that should invite further study."
    -Journal of American History

  • "During these times that challenge our freedoms there is no one more qualified to make U.S. history relevant to the fight against big government than Thomas Woods."
    -Barry Goldwater Jr.
    Former Member of Congress

  • "I strongly recommend Woods's work."
    -The Honorable Ron Paul,
    U.S. House of Representatives

  • "Written with great clarity and fluency, making the complex philosophical and theological concepts approachable."
    -Journal of American Studies

  • "A must-read."
    -Barron's

  • "An excellent reading source for anyone interested in financial markets, and much more so for anyone interested in learning about capitalism without all the misinterpretations being thrown about in the financial media."
    -Asia Times

  • "Provocative, well-written, and deserves to be read."
    -Catholic Historical Review

  • "An engaging and important contribution to scholarship on the history of American Catholicism."
    -Journal of the Historical Society

  • "Woods and [co-author Kevin] Gutzman appeal to both left and right in this constitutionalist jeremiad…. The authors' exegeses of the Constitution and court decisions, heavy on original intent arguments, are lucid and telling."
    -Publishers Weekly

  • "A marvelous read. Every chapter taught me something new and unexpected."
    -Tom Bethell, senior editor,
    The American Spectator

  • "The hottest book today is Meltdown, by my friend Tom Woods."
    -Judge Andrew Napolitano, senior judicial analyst,
    FOX News Channel

  • "Should be required reading."
    -Economic Affairs (London)

  • "Woods, one of the best classical liberal [libertarian] scholars of his generation, has once more placed us in his debt with this lucid and tightly argued book."
    -David Gordon, The Mises Review

  • "Tom Woods is one of my dearest allies in the struggle against wrong-headed and dangerous economic policy."
    -Peter Schiff

I Turned 40 Today

And I’m not super excited about it, to tell you the truth. I’ve appreciated the wave of good wishes I’ve received on Facebook and Twitter and via email, though, and the nice tribute at iroots.org, so thank you for that. But 40!

I was initially thinking of typing up my thoughts upon turning 40, if only as an exercise for myself, but I’ve decided against it. I have a very happy life both personally and professionally, and that’s all I can ask for. Well, that and a time machine, I guess.

Unlearn the Propaganda!

  • Clay from Illinois

    Tom, I’m 49 and have learned so much from you over the past five years. I wish the best of health and happiness to you, your lovely wife and beautiful children. You are using your talents to their fullest and I believe God is pleased – I know I am.
    Thank you very much and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

  • http://www.facebook.com/michael.fleischer.908 Michael Fleischer

    Happy B day Dr woods. Existence is richer thanks to your presence. I love your work and enthusism and with you great health and happiness in the years to come. Mike (44)

  • http://www.facebook.com/michael.fleischer.908 Michael Fleischer

    Dr Woods, Just one other note. You may know Mr. James Delingpole the author of Watermelons and other brilliant works. He wrote this article about being middle aged. I think you might really like it.
    its here:
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/9131251/Im-loving-being-middle-aged-says-James-Delingpole-aged-a-sprightly-46.html
    thanks

  • http://plenarchist.wordpress.com/ plenarchist

    “At twenty years of age the will reigns, at thirty the wit, at forty the judgment.”
    - B. Franklin

    Happy 40th!

  • guest

    Happy Birthday, Tom!
    Thanks for helping a neocon see the distinction between the non-aggression, free market principle of Libertarians; and the merely anti-corporatist-slash-anti-imperialist, position of the hippie-Marxist-Progressive, “make the world safe for democracy(*)” pro-interventionist-war folks (which includes people on the Right).

  • friend

    best wishes Tom. Are you going to react on this?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3UKXpzdFQ_I

  • george

    without mortality it would likely be much harder if not eventually impossible to appreciate the very things that make life worth living.

  • Anonymous

    Congratulations Tom Woods.
    Don’t be blue, what would Rothbard do? -cackle is my bet.

  • kingofbacon andeggs

    The first thing that I noticed as your site loaded on my screen was your new picture. I immediately thought that you look younger and healthier in this new pic than your previous. Then poof, you said you turned 40. Real nutrient dense foods are a time machine! Keep it up.

  • guest

    I should have said “… merely anti-corporatist-but-think-they’re-anti-free-market slash anti-imperialist …”
    Or something to that effect.
    They think they’re anti-free-market, and are unaware that it’s actually collectivism that leads to both the corporatism and, by way of the Cantillon Effect, the imperialism that they think they’re fighting against.

  • Mechanized

    Your sentiments regarding turning 40 are perfectly understandable Tom. Nearing the 40 mark within the next couple of years myself is certainly something I am not looking forward to. However, your intelligence and career achievements greatly outstrip most individuals. Most individuals will never feel that way about anything.

    Happy Birthday Tom. May God bless you and your family.

  • Zvonimir Momcilovic

    Welcome to the Club 40! :)

  • Frank M

    There’s nothing wrong with 40. Ask anybody who’s 50.

  • http://www.libertariannews.org/ Michael Suede

    White males in America have an average life expectancy of
    74.8 years, which leaves you 34.8 years to make more zombie videos for my education and entertainment.

    I hope you make a ton of them, and then have a trust release them periodically after your death. This way I can enjoy new videos during the 6 years you will most likely be dead while I am still alive.

    Life would suck without fresh Tom Woods and South Park videos.

  • Anonymous

    Try 65… :(

  • Anonymous

    So Happy Birthday, Tom,
    Now when are you going to MAKE SOMETHING OF YOUR LIFE!?!?

    kidding…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Nabakowski/1452262840 Robert Nabakowski

    A belated happy birthday, Tom. Thanks for all that you do.

  • Kenn Williamson

    Congratulations!! May you have many more years of fighting the good fight for liberty and justice.

  • Chris

    by comparison, 41 will seem young again ! Wait and see !”

    Happy 40th and thanks for all your excellent work !!

  • Laura

    Sorry Tom can’t feel sorry for you. I recently turned 60!

  • Ron

    You’re pretty dang smart for a young pup. I really enjoy and benefit from your works. Keep us posted on where we can find you on (internet) radio as soon as practical. Happy Birthday and many more!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000466088593 Pa Brad

    Plain and SImple Fact #1: You feel healthier and look better than when you were 35, thanks to your new primal habits, so what’s the problem? I love being 44 simply because people think I’m 34. If you take care of yourself it doesn’t matter what your driver’s license says.
    Plain and Simple Fact #2: The saying goes “Older and wiser” for a reason!

  • http://www.facebook.com/thaffner01 Tim Haffner

    Congratulations! I’ll be in the same boat in a few days…

  • Rick

    Stop whining, you’re the perfect age: You appreciate classic rock like Yes, Rush, and Jethro Tull and you don’t know Lil’ Wayne from Big Sean:-)

  • mike

    Tom, I’m 38 next month and not looking forward to 40 myself. My god I’ve only got 2 years of my life left. lol.

    But hey, you’ve got more hair left than me and less grey hair than I do, so quit you’re whingeing. :)

    Being fit and healthy is most important. I’d rather be a fit, healthy 40 year-old than an unfit 25 year-old and I wouldn’t give up the life experience for anything. I mean, I found it hard to relate to most people in their 20′s when I was in my 20′s, never mind now. I felt relieved when I turned 30, so really, it’s not as bad as you are thinking right now.