Born the son of immigrant parents, Milton Friedman went on to become a major figure during the resurgence of American conservatism. As an adviser to the Reagan administration and a widely read columnist, he played a vital role in shaping government policy and public opinion while he made headlines for his controversial views.
Drawing on the author's unprecedented access to personal archives--and to Friedman himself prior to his death in 2006--this is the first book to trace his life and development as an economic theorist. With a combination of revealing personal detail and fascinating exploration of economic theory, this is a revealing look at the man regarded by many as a hero of libertarianism and laissez-faire economics.