author: Liaquat Ahamed
name: Elaine
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2009/07/12
date added: 2009/07/14
shelves: economics, health, non-fiction
review:
The story of international finance between the Wars, told through the stories of the central bankers of the US, Britain, France, and Germany. A bit like the slowest-mo disaster story ever, as the world financial system lurches from one mess to another.
I think I understand a bit more about monetary policy and the gold standard, although I think I might’ve gotten more out of the book if I’d known more ahead of time.
Full of detail about these 4 guys, plus the entire social and political world they moved in.
Honestly? A bit too much detail, almost to the point of weighing it down, and some of it told with a heavy hand and in caricature. It’s a freaking doorstop, and could’ve been just as good w/out being so huge.
Still, I’m glad I read it, and in these crazy times, it’s well worth the time.