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Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 870263 1 855635 15 9 2007 A Nation of Counterfeiters: Capitalists, Con Men, and the Making of the United States total:12|5:2|4:7|3:3| 12 47 41 7 448929 3.92 13 7 30414041 1241024 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 3 0 false Sun Aug 17 18:48:46 -0700 2008 Sun Aug 17 18:48:46 -0700 2008 more...]]> 31461445 1472962 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Thu Aug 28 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Thu Aug 28 14:55:02 -0700 2008 Thu Aug 28 15:21:03 -0700 2008 more...]]> 19851619 976840 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 3 0 false Thu Mar 27 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Thu Apr 10 02:16:14 -0700 2008 Thu Apr 10 02:20:56 -0700 2008 more...]]> 54775822 824256 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 3 0 false Sun May 03 07:55:51 -0700 2009 Sun May 03 07:56:04 -0700 2009 62901897 1611605 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 4 0 false Wed Sep 16 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Fri Jul 10 07:33:43 -0700 2009 Wed Sep 16 10:25:38 -0700 2009 31418761 121089 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Thu Aug 28 07:32:27 -0700 2008 Thu Aug 28 07:34:51 -0700 2008 38042598 275698 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 4 0 false Tue Nov 18 09:04:40 -0800 2008 Tue Nov 18 09:05:28 -0800 2008 74272625 151273 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Mon Oct 12 09:00:57 -0700 2009 Mon Oct 12 09:00:57 -0700 2009 71609308 1073012 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Thu Sep 17 17:47:15 -0700 2009 Thu Sep 17 17:47:15 -0700 2009 63578085 16457 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 4 0 false Thu Jul 30 20:40:32 -0700 2009 Wed Jul 15 07:48:36 -0700 2009 Thu Jul 30 20:40:32 -0700 2009 62837947 174992 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 4 0 false Sun Jul 26 11:03:28 -0700 2009 Thu Jul 09 17:21:36 -0700 2009 Sun Jul 26 11:03:28 -0700 2009 62397155 2041304 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Mon Jul 06 16:43:51 -0700 2009 Mon Jul 06 16:44:03 -0700 2009 62027833 1287271 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Fri Jul 03 10:49:26 -0700 2009 Fri Jul 03 10:49:26 -0700 2009 61073546 962022 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Thu Jun 25 10:43:40 -0700 2009 Thu Jun 25 10:43:40 -0700 2009 57902879 2261742 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 4 0 false Tue Jun 23 13:12:05 -0700 2009 Sat May 30 19:15:51 -0700 2009 Tue Jun 23 13:12:05 -0700 2009 54471335 2192624 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Thu Apr 30 08:33:24 -0700 2009 Thu Apr 30 08:33:24 -0700 2009 50050926 1790597 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Sun Mar 22 07:58:49 -0700 2009 Sun Mar 22 07:58:49 -0700 2009 49550928 688467 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Tue Mar 17 08:18:15 -0700 2009 Tue Mar 17 08:18:15 -0700 2009 49359358 2059914 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Sun Mar 15 13:24:19 -0700 2009 Sun Mar 15 13:24:19 -0700 2009 48494045 1412037 870263 0674026578 9780674026575 7 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179064610m/870263.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/870263.A_Nation_of_Counterfeiters_Capitalists_Con_Men_and_the_Making_of_the_United_States 3.92 12
Their success, Stephen Mihm reveals, is more than an entertaining tale of criminal enterprise: it is the story of the rise of a country defined by a freewheeling brand of capitalism over which the federal government exercised little control. It was an era when responsibility for the country's currency remained in the hands of capitalists for whom "making money" was as much a literal as a figurative undertaking.

Mihm's witty tale brims with colorful characters: shady bankers, corrupt cops, charismatic criminals, and brilliant engravers. Based on prodigious research, it ranges far and wide, from New York City's criminal underworld to the gold fields of California and the battlefields of the Civil War. We learn how the federal government issued greenbacks for the first time and began dismantling the older monetary system and the counterfeit economy it sustained.

A Nation of Counterfeiters is a trailblazing work of history, one that casts the country's capitalist roots in a startling new light. Readers will recognize the same get-rich-quick spirit that lives on in the speculative bubbles and confidence games of the twenty-first century.]]> 0 0 false Sat Mar 07 05:45:07 -0800 2009 Sat Mar 07 05:45:07 -0800 2009 8 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=870263