Caplan provides a bold solution to eradicate poverty: open international borders. The book reminded me of Peter Singer's The Life You Can Save in that it presents a seemingly simple solution to a complex problem. Nevertheless, I appreciated the argument and the format used to deliver it.

A good overview of a complex topic. The engaging illustrations of the graphic novel do their best to help the book along through a bit of a dry subject (but they do succeed).

I liked this graphic novel for the most part. It is a lot to get through and some of the subject matter is pretty heavy. But overall it is a good, well-researched book. If this is a subject that you are interested in (and it's a big one right now so you should be interested in it) then I think this would be a great book for you. Highly recommend checking it out yourself and giving it a read before you pass any judgements on it.

3.5 stars

I love the concept of this book. It advocated for equal opportunity and had a lot of really useful information. But it did seem a bit dry at times and there were some points where I was trying to just get through the book. I did like the art style of the graphic novel.

An informative and relevant non fiction graphic novel. It reminds me a little of Economix as it deals with some serious issues and concepts but conveys them in an easily digestible format.

I'll be ordering a copy for my school library as I think older students and staff will be interested.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC.

This was a really informative and useful text that I hope gets adopted in college classrooms everywhere.

It’s also the kind of book I just want to casually mail to a few people I know. To help them become more informed.

Thanks to NetGalley for this really well-argued book about free immigration. I at first was hesitant--obviously we have a problem with our immigration system and it needs help--but I was worried that arguing from a standpoint of open borders would just enrage nativists and get nowhere. However, the arguments here are so well-presented, so logical and so convincing that it was clearly a risk worth taking to lead out with the idea of open borders. Extremely well done!

This graphic nonfiction was compelling and thought-provoking. Economist Bryan Caplan has written an interesting case for open borders for immigration, and the illustrations by Zach Weinersmith make the topic clearer and more vivid. Some of the charts and graphs needed a bit more explanation or detail though. The argument is well-spoken and explained simply, comparing his theories to various philosophies and religious beliefs, as well as giving historical examples to back them up. I thought he skimmed too quickly over some of the counter-arguments, although it was beneficial that he always did include them.

**Read via NetGalley

It's no secret that immigration is a hot-button - one of the hottest button - topics in current events. One one side, we have those who would welcome new immigrants, for cultural and humanitarian reasons; on the other, those who want to restrict the flow of people into the country, whether to protect the current citizenry, the culture, or the economic status quo. Economist Bryan Caplan has written Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration as a proposal to both sides. He argues in favor of open borders, noting that doing so could eliminate poverty worldwide, not spiral us deeper into it; raise the global education and skill level, and lead us - as a whole - into a new age of prosperity for all. 

The book, masterfully illustrated by Zach Weinersmith, presents Caplan's argument using comprehensive research, communicated with a plain-English tone and artwork that's colorful, multicultural, and translatable to audiences who don't have a background in economics. The book is conversational and never preachy, and Caplan takes on reasons detractors have fallen back on time and again to argue against open borders, showing, using hard numbers, why open borders may be the next best way for us to advance.

This should be used in high schools and colleges: there are lists of resources and further reading; copious notes and references, and the straight-talk explanations, with clear illustrations, will really assist students, especially those who may stumble with pages of numbers, charts, and data. Once presented in the frame of a story, with a real-life, current events situation to anchor it, the numbers take on a life and meaning.

Open Borders has a starred review from Booklist. Author Bryan Caplan's webpage is a treasure trove of articles and information, including cartoons and role-playing resources(!).

(with colors by the amazing Mary Cagle)

As an open borders absolutist, I've been wanting a book like this to come along for years. Living in the USA, it's almost mind-boggling that people aren't more inclined towards immigration, given that the contiguous 48 states are one of the world's best modern examples of the free movement of labor. Could you imagine Indiana making it illegal to hire someone simply because they're from Ohio? Or saying they have to get a special permit if they do want to work there? It's stupid, as are most current immigration laws (and not just in America! Other countries are just as punitive and terrible!)

Bryan Caplan and Zach Weinersmith do a much more comprehensive job than I do here in not only addressing the current state of affairs -- primarily in America tho they do touch on global issues -- but also advocating for open borders on both economic and humanitarian bases. Their intended audience is American and, presumably, either mildly hostile to their argument or, like me, desirous of backup in the face of the mildly hostile or worse. And they provide A LOT of well-researched backup. They debunk some of the most egregious myths around the subject and advance persuasive cases for not only the overall benefits of immigration but also for keyhole strategies to soften any short-term negative effects, none of which I found particularly onerous to the immigrant once I realized they meant those who were non-citizens. Charging non-citizen immigrants more for the use of certain social services is akin to charging a non-members fee, and is hardly a violation of their human rights, IMO, especially when held up against their freedom of movement altogether (ofc, charging immigrant citizens more than native-born is an entirely different discriminatory kettle of fish.)

This excellently illustrated volume (clean lines, no clutter, lots of sight gags and a really luminous last few pages,) breaks down the heady philosophical arguments cleanly, making it very clear without ever saying so outright that xenophobia and racism are the primary drivers behind restrictive immigration laws. The economic arguments do get a bit convoluted, and the bit where Mr Caplan is arguing with his colleagues seems a wee bit personal, tho I suppose philosophers have been griping about each other in their texts for centuries now (it has been a long time since I've waded through the subject, so forgive me if I'm misremembering.) For the most part, this is a strong, easily accessible brief for an important and unfortunately all too contentious subject.

First Second Press has always been one of my favorite publishers and I'm so, so glad they decided to print this. Open Borders is smart, practical and full of heart, and fully fits with their philosophy of quality reading material for all.

George Mason University Economist professor Bryan Caplan takes a look at the most arguments against immigration or for severely restricting immigration, and then makes a case for greater immigration by looking at it from a human rights perspective, an economical perspective, a cultural perspective, and a logical/philosophical perspective. He also looks at some options which compromise between the two radical views.

Whether you agree with Bryan Caplan’s arguments or not, you’ve got to respect the amount of research and work put into making this book logically and approachably presented. I think this may have the biggest notes/bibliography section of any graphic novel I’ve ever read. He approaches the topic almost purely from an economical and immigration by choice perspective. He doesn’t really look that much at purely refugee situations (though those are usually situations that fall under potential immigrants in places that are economically harsh or places where people don’t want to work and would rather work elsewhere). As someone who is an expat and works overseas, I obviously support the idea of being able to choose the country in which you work. I’m doing it. I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I have no desire to immigrate to this nation, but I have to say I vastly prefer teaching overseas to teaching in the US where my citizenship is. I can really see where Caplan is coming from. Caplan uses the US as an example because it is the prime destination for immigrants, but he also clarifies that the principals he proposes should work anywhere. I’m not sure how far in readers who are already decidedly opposed to more relaxed immigration will get as the author is pretty strong in his opinions and I can see some not even bothering to read his arguments (he’s strong, but also fair and respectful to the other side). It’s definitely a great resource for libraries and classrooms to have on hand for readers exploring the various sides of hot topic political issues. It is easy to understand, and the graphic novel format makes for quick reading.

Notes on content [based on ARC]: 9 minor swear words. No sexual content. No violence.

<i>I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

What a great introduction to the history of immigration, the current arguments at hand, the fallacies within those arguments, and the outcomes of various strategies - wow. I really knew nothing about the debate around the border and immigration before picking up this book, and boy did I learn a whole lot from reading this! In a nice easy-to-read graphic novel format with bits of humor along the way, I will now recommend this book to everyone!

I can not wait to put this book on the shelf at my library! While it may not be directly intended for teens, they will get so much out of it. Caplan and Weinersmith make their argument for open borders in a concise and well thought out manner. Frankly, I would love to put this in the hands of my cranky Baby Boomer parents and make them rethink their views on borders and how loosening them would make everyone's lives better. I especially appreciate that Caplan acknowledges opposing viewpoints.

This title is served very well by the graphic novel format - given the sheer amount of data and thought experiments taking place, it could get very dry, very fast if presented in long-form text.

For the most part, I found the examples easy to follow. The author is clearly in favor of and arguing for global open borders, but I thought that the information presented was well supported by experiments and data. This is likely to be a useful resource to students in social studies and economics classes, as well as students debating the pros and cons of immigration. For the average person, it does a lot to address common political complaints and arguments against open borders and increased immigration in general.

While not every reader will seek out this title, it should be accessible to most teen and adult readers.

A good overview of politics and history in an engaging format. I'm hoping for a young reader's edition.

This book is a scientific way of looking at immigration and supports the idea of opening all borders around the world. While dramatic and a huge paradigm shift, the book focuses on data, not anecdotes, which I appreciate as someone with a little common sense... news cycles push outliers to increase clicks, but our policies and values should be set by the 99%.
I've been reading and loving Zach Weinersmith's online comic, https://www.smbc-comics.com/ , for years. When he started advertising this book, I was interested but not excited. He did the art work for Bryan Caplan's research, and I'll review that separately from the content.
The content is data driven... that's, that's it, its just a hard look at data that can't be argued with. I don't know that I'm convinced that open borders is a good idea, I'll have to think about it some more, but I'm liking the arguments I've been having in my head. A book that makes me think is always a good thing, even if I don't like book or idea. This book is almost one third citations, nothing is made up or hyperboled, there are no case studies of that one guy who did that thing that one thing, you know?, at the place? There are hypothetical situations, but they are presented as such. While I'm not yet convinced, I'll keep thinking about it and decide with the next voting cycle.
The artwork is on point, adding to the data without distracting. I wouldn't have read an article this long without the graphs, but that gets dry and boring REAL quick, so I appreciate the format Caplan/Weinersmith chose.
Ultimately, this book is for everyone...
If you want open borders/more immigration, the arguments here will support your views.
If you want closed borders, these are the arguments you'll be facing, so best to read up.

**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A well written, well thought out argument for open borders. This is not a book for your average reader, but it is accessible to most readers. If you have someone who loves data and thought experiments then this is a good title to suggest.

The art is also well done and is in the style you have come to expect from Zach Weinersmith. There are some extras that match up with the subject that you will enjoy while reading.

I enjoy informative graphic novels. I think that the format makes it easier for people to digest heavy concepts. Even though I agree with some of the points the author was trying to make, I still don't know if I would recommend this book. The graphic novel format did not make the book more enjoyable or engaging. I struggled to get through it. I also found some of the generalizations in the book offensive, which is surprising considering this is a book in favor of immigration.