The book presents a brief history of the development of the ideas of the Austrian school of economic theory since its inception in the second half of the 19th century. and until now. The author analyzes the contribution of the main representatives of the school who had a decisive influence on the formation of this direction of economic thought: K. Menger, O. Böhm-Bawerk, L. von Mises, F. Hayek, as well as key figures of the recent “Austrian” revival: I. Kirzner and M. Rothbard. Particular attention is paid to the main differences of the Austrian school from the dominant mathematical direction in economics - the neoclassical school in such areas as as a theory of capital; equilibrium, market process and entrepreneurship; theories of money, credit and business cycles.