Try "Human Action" by Von Mises.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0465081452/qid=1107272570/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-7576800-0728700?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0465081436/qid=1107272570/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-7576800-0728700?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
"Basic Economics" and "Applied Economics" by Sowell. Studiously nonpedantic, and clear.
It's not a textbook, but simply reading "Capitalism and Freedom" by Milton Friedman will teach all you need to know. It was published in the late 60s, so you will have to buy it used. And if you finish that, read the follow up book, "Free to Choose" by Friedman and his wife.
The guy is simply brilliant. Plus, I went to the Univ of Chicago, so I am little bias towards the Great One (Friedman).
Has Walter Williams written one?
"Economics in One Lesson" by Henry Hazlitt. 1950s, but as valid today as the day it first saw light. Brief, too. Also: "The Law" by Frederic Bastiat -- despite its title, this is an econ textbook, too.
It's too bad that Russell Kirk didn't do texts for college-level coursework.
I am surprised no one has mentioned THE MAKING OF MODERN ECONOMICS by Mark Shousen! His other convervative economic texts are ECONOMIC LOGIC, STRUCTURE OF PRODUCTION, and ECONOMICS ON TRIAL: LIES, MYTHS AND REALTITIES. If you type in his name, you'll find his web page. I believe his is an economics professor at Rollins College in Flordia.
Back to the basics: "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith
I have the PERFECT one for you, but need time to look for it. I loved it, my professor hated it (and actually asked all the students to complain about the book on their evaluations, in hope that the college would get rid of the book). I of course praised the book highly in my evaluation, and was a constant thorn in my leftie professor's side throughout the year.
Later today, I'll try to dig it out of the garage. It's an ECON 101 book (nothing complex). I've been out of school for many, many years, and it's the only book I've kept.
Try 'Economics of Futures Trading" by Thomas Hieronymus.
For a textbook I would second the recommendation of Alchian and Allen, which was written to serve as a textbook. The other books cited (esp. the Sowell) are all good reading, but are not comprehensive enough (except Sowell) to serve as a model text.
Chances are, the teacher will select a particular book, so the problem may be finding the right teacher. That can then be supplemented by additional ancillary reading, of which there is much available.
Russell Kirk was not an economist. Ludwig von Mises' "Human Action" is a valuable text, but not (IMHO) as an introduction to the field.
He has some excellent advice there for the beginning university economics student.
First page, first thing they give you, is a "Once upon a time" story, very charming tale about a king, a queen and their economic advisors. The advisors were ordered to write down everything they knew about their field. As years passed the royals kept telling the experts to pare it down until at last, "...we have reduced the science of economics to one sentence." They said, "We have found, your Majesties, that there is no such thing as a free lunch."
I've also got a good recommendation on an ec text in my amazon file but I'm at the wrong computer for that. I'll see if I can dig it out later today.
We had Dr. Landsburg as one of our speakers for a local libertarian convention last year. He's an awesome speaker and is really good at breaking down economics. His book "The Armchair Economist" is really good. Check it out!
Macroeconomics - Steven Landsburg
I hope this helps!
PS: we also love the good Doc 'cause he really SKEWERS lefty environmentalist idiots and other commie moonbats!!
Q. Distinguish between "basic" ; "essential" ; "fundamental" and "necessary" human needs.
A. They are all meaningless
George Stigler's "Introduction to price Theory" is shorter, deeper, but VERY funny, in a sly way.
Micro or macro? You mean textbook, right?
For micro, I recommend Hal Varian's textbook. A good analytical background can be found in Silberberg's book. It is important that new students in economics get the intuition as well as technical background at the same time.
Most macro textbooks are aweful. But, try Lungqvist's (sp?) relatively new book, but a more solid book is Stokey-Lucas-Prescott.