Thanks for the ideas! Had not thought of either. Is Sowell fairly basic — starting at ground zero ;)
“Basic Economics” is appropriate for early high school, with no previous economics instruction. This doesn’t mean it isn’t correct and comprehensive, but that Dr. Sowell worked very hard to make it understandable to anyone who could read basic text.
And as the dfwgator mentioned, anything by P.J. O’Rourke. “Holidays in Hell” is terrific, and “Give War a Chance.” Also “All the Trouble in the World.” My daughter has a “Give War a Chance” tattoo on her forearm - a “peace” symbol with a bomber in the center!