Burns' portrayal of Rand sheds light on why her philosophy continues to resonate, particularly in times of economic uncertainty, and how her life and reputation diverged from the ideals she championed.
Burns portrays Friedman not just as an economist, but as a public intellectual whose advocacy for personal freedom and critique of government intervention left a lasting impact on American conservatism.
Through her research, Burns traces Friedman's career from his early days in an era before mathematical modeling dominated economics, highlighting his ability to communicate complex ideas to a broader audience.
Burns situates Friedman alongside Rand, noting the parallel tracks through which both figures advanced libertarian ideas, contributing to the conservative shift in American political ideology during the 20th century.
[9] One reviewer, David R. Henderson of the Cato Institute, criticizes Burns for labeling Friedman a conservative, when he would be more aptly described as a classical liberal due to some of his social views.