“The teacher is the most important person in American society.” —Dwight D. Eisenhower
My uncle, Cleon Skousen, was famous for writing books, lecturing in colleges and universities and giving talks around the world. He wrote several bestsellers, including “The Naked Communist” and the Thousand Year books about the Bible. For 14 years, he taught religion to thousands of students at Brigham Young University. He led over 30 tours to the Holy Land and other tourist destinations. He gave an estimated 10,000 speeches in his lifetime. He once gave a talk before 20,000 people at the Hollywood Bowl in Southern California.
He once addressed the question, “Which is more influential — writing, speaking or teaching?”
At a talk in San Francisco, he asked the audience of several hundred people:
“How many of you have heard me speak before?” A dozen hands went up.
“How many of you attended my classes at BYU?” Around 50 hands rose.
Finally, he asked, “How many of you have read one or more of my books?” Everyone raised their hand.
Despite his love of speaking and meeting his fans in person, he concluded, “This vividly demonstrated the importance of getting the message out to the people in written form, rather than relying on speeches or classes to spread the word.”
This is one of many stories told in our new book, “There Were Giants in the Land: Episodes in the Life of W. Cleon Skousen.” It’s available for only $29.95 at www.skousenbooks.com.
The Times They Are a Changin’
However, my uncle, who died in 2006, may be out of date on this issue. In reality, giving speeches, lectures and interviews are more popular than ever before through websites, podcasts, audible books, C-SPAN Book TV and other audio-visual avenues. Books come and go, but videos last forever.
Through the convenience of YouTube and other audio-visual technology, seeing and hearing have become more popular than reading. As I tell my students, “You look and you listen, but you don’t read!” They nod in agreement.
In fact, my uncle’s incredible story as FBI agent under J. Edgar Hoover, his battles with organized gangsters like Mickey Cohen and Hollywood actresses like Olivia de Havilland, can now be told on audible: Amazon.com: There Were Giants in the Land: Episodes in the Life of W. Cleon Skousen (Audible Audio Edition): W. Cleon Skousen, Adam Skousen, Ensign Publishing: Books
And of course, his many speeches can be found on YouTube.
My Appearance on C-SPAN Book TV This Sunday
Good news! I’m on C-SPAN Book TV four times this Sunday, Aug. 25, a 15-minute interview with Peter Slen on “There Were Giants in the Land: Episodes in the Life of W. Cleon Skousen.” My 15-minute interview is on at 9:45 a.m. ET, 12:45 p.m. ET, 9:45 p.m. ET and 12:45 a.m. ET the next morning.
Peter interviewed me and many other speakers at FreedomFest last month. Watch for upcoming Book TV interviews with John Mackey, Rob Schneider, Tom Woods, Steven Pinker, Randy Barnett, Rainer Zitelmann, Helen Raleigh, George Gilder and Steve Forbes. Upcoming guests can be found at www.booktv.org.
And there’s more…
The Fiery Big Debate on Bitcoin, AI, Stocks and the Economy
Last Tuesday, over 1,900 investors watched the Oxford Clubhouse Big Debate between me and Alexander Green, chief investment strategist. They stayed until the end, and said it was the best debate of the year. We argued over Bitcoin, AI, the economy, the stock market and the November elections. My son, Tim, who is my co-editor of the TNT Trader, joined in the fracas — he’s an expert on crypto and AI.
Watch the debate here and see who won: 8.20.2024 Clubroom – The Big Debate: Green vs Skousen (wistia.com)
My Favorite Fantasy Econo-Novel Now an Animated Series
Last but not least, I’m happy to announce the premier showing of the new animated series of the great econo-novel “The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible,” produced by Liberty International. It premieres at 1 p.m. ET, 10 a.m. PT at The Avant Premiere of “The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible” Animated Series – Liberty International (liberty-intl.org)
My wife Jo Ann is one of the characters in the film (Lady Beth Tweedy).
The book is authored by Ken Schoolland, who has taught free-market economics at Hawaii Pacific University for the past 50 years. Congratulations! “Jonathan Gullible” has been translated into over 55 languages, a remarkable achievement.
The book and animated series are a great introduction to free-market economics. It’s the story of a young sailor, Jonathan Gullible, who falls overboard and somehow lands on the island of Corrupto, where he encounters an unusual set of circumstances. In every case, there’s a lesson in economics.
The book is so good it won the first Leonard E. “Read This Book” Award in 2002 in Las Vegas.
Three Adventures in Jonathan Gullible’s Life
I use three events to demonstrate its attraction. In the first case, Gullible arrives on the island only to discover that practically everyone is hunched over. He asked why, and they say it’s because of the “tall tax.” Tall people are considered more successful, so the government wanted to tax success by imposing a tax on tall people.
In the second example, a certain fruit grows on the island that is known as merry berries. They make you naturally high, so they are banned. Here, students discuss the pro’s and con’s of illegal drugs.
The third example is the Applause-a-Meter. Politicians running for office go around the island giving talks and carry with them a machine that detects the level of applause when they recommend a specific policy. If the applause is great, they adopt it. If the applause is low, they reject it. Their motto is “We believe what you believe.” Here, students debate the pro’s and con’s of democracy and politics.
It’s a fun book and a great way to introduce free-market principles to students and adults.
If you are one of those old-school subscribers who likes to read books, go to The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible: A Free Market Odyssey: Schoolland, Ken, Small Business Hawaii, Inc: 9780974969466: Amazon.com: Books
One Exception: Why This Book is Not Available Online or as An Audiobook
There is one exception to this popular new development: My book, “The Maxims of Wall Street,” is only available as a hardback book. It is not available as an audible book or even an eBook (Kindle). Why? Because proverbs, adages and wise sayings need to be patiently absorbed and contemplated by the reader… Often you need time to consider its deeper meaning. Reading one quote after another will not do.
You have to think about the meaning of such lines as:
“In the short term, the market is a voting machine. In the long run, it is a weighing machine.” — Ben Graham (p. 102)
“Nobody is more bearish than a sold-out bull.” (p. 106)
“Better to be out of a bull market than fully invested in a bear market.” — Bill Henry (p. 107)
“You make your money from bad times and collect your money in good times.” — Arthur B. Laffer (p. 107)
“Don’t confuse brains with a bull market.” — Humphrey Neill (p. 108)
Or the two contradictory quotes:
“Nothing is more difficult than holding onto your stocks in a bear market.” — Mike Turner (p. 111)
“Nothing is more difficult than holding onto your stocks in a bull market.” — Jim Dines (p. 109)
There are many other examples you may want to explore in the latest 10th edition of the Maxims of Wall Street. As Barron’s said of my book, “A cogent collection of quotations from the investing giants, phrasemakers and chronicles on the beguiling, heartless and trying ways of Wall Street.”
To obtain your copy, send $21 to www.skousenbooks.com. All additional copies are $11 each, and an entire book (32 copies) is only $327. I autograph each copy and mail them at no extra charge if mailed inside the United States.
Upcoming Appearances
Orlando MoneyShow, Oct. 17-19, Championship Gate Resort: Join me along with Keith Fitz-Gerald, Steve Moore, Charles Payne, Louie Navallier, Kelly Wright, Peter Schiff, George Gilder, Adrian Day, Brien Lundin and Ed Yardini. To learn more and register, go to https://www.orlandomoneyshow.com/registration/. Sign up soon before the $149 registration price rises. Use promo code 063467 for the discount.
COSM Technology Summit, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Bellevue Hyatt, Seattle, Washington: This conference is sponsored by George Gilder and the Discovery Institute. I’ll be speaking on gross output (GO) and its significance as a critical supply-side statistic. For more information, go to https://cosm.tech/. To receive a $200 discount, use EAGLE-MS as the Promotional Code when registering.
New Orleans 50th Anniversary Investment Conference, Nov. 20-23: I’ve been speaking every year at the famous “gold bug” New Orleans conference since 1977, and will give a unique talk, “My Life-Changing Highlights in New Orleans.” Other speakers include James Grant, Gary Alexander, Robert Prechter, Mary Anne and Pamela Aden and Brien Lundin. It will be memorable. For more information and to register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-new-orleans-investment-conference-tickets-752296528167?aff=Skousen.
Good investing, AEIOU,
Mark Skousen
You Blew it!
Bad Timing: Doug Casey’s Appearance on Donoghue in 1980
By Mark Skousen
“Bears make headlines, bulls make money.” — Old Wall Street saying
TV personality Phil Donahue (1935-2024) died on Monday at the age of 88. He was most famous for his “Donahue” show, interviewing famous people and encouraging the audience to ask tough questions.
Long-time friend Doug Casey was on his show in November 1980 to talk about his book, “Crisis Investing,” which his promoter Robert Ringer had made #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
The timing of his appearance was special — one day before Ronald Reagan was elected president. Stocks were near an all-time low and gold had hit $800 an ounce that year.
Gold bugs like Howard Ruff and Doug Casey were on the top of their game. Howard had also written a #1 New York Times bestseller called “How to Profit from the Coming Bad Years.”
But Reagan’s election changed everything, much to the chagrin of Ruff and Casey. A year after Reagan’s election, gold and gold stocks went into a 20 year bear market, while stocks and bonds enjoyed an incredible turnaround that has lasted until this day, thanks to Reaganomics and Paul Volcker’s actions to slay price inflation.
On the show, Doug appears young, self confident and knowledgeable. He recommended buying gold and selling stocks. His timing was way off. He also made the incredible prediction that fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Burger King would go bankrupt due to the Greater Depression that he predicted. The audience couldn’t believe their ears. It made no sense. If anything, fast food restaurants were more likely to survive and prosper during a Greater Depression.
You can watch the interview here on YouTube: Doug Casey on Donahue 3 Nov 1980 – Just as Relevant TODAY as it was 38 Years ago (youtube.com)
I prefer time the Donahue interview he did with Milton Friedman in 1979. This segment is one of the most famous: Milton Friedman – Your Greed or Their Greed? (youtube.com)
