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Debts, Defaults, Depression and Other Delightful Ditties from the Dismal Science
A light-hearted look at some of the more entertaining episodes of economic history. Bryan Taylor uses his knowledge of the past to illustrate how corporations and governments have helped and harmed the economy and financial markets.
Readers will learn about the greatest counterfeiter of all time, the first publicly traded bonds, the worst inflation in history, the currency that created two countries, zombie bonds, and the New Jersey tailor who went to jail for undercutting other tailors by 5 cents. Taylor provides his insights on the gold standard, government debt, the stock market and why the Fed will keep interest rates low for years to come.
Whether looking for an amusing glimpse into the past or to learn how the economy can affect the stock market, Debt, Defaults, and Depression provides both. Even people who think calling economics the "dismal science" is being too kind enjoy this book.
Readers will learn about the greatest counterfeiter of all time, the first publicly traded bonds, the worst inflation in history, the currency that created two countries, zombie bonds, and the New Jersey tailor who went to jail for undercutting other tailors by 5 cents. Taylor provides his insights on the gold standard, government debt, the stock market and why the Fed will keep interest rates low for years to come.
Whether looking for an amusing glimpse into the past or to learn how the economy can affect the stock market, Debt, Defaults, and Depression provides both. Even people who think calling economics the "dismal science" is being too kind enjoy this book.
- GenresEconomics
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2018
14 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Taylor
3 books8 followersDr. Bryan Taylor is President and Chief Economist for Global Financial Data. He received his Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University in Economics writing
about the economics of the arts. He has taught both economics and finance at numerous universities in southern California and in Switzerland. He began putting together the Global Financial Database in 1990, collecting and transcribing financial and economic data from historical archives around the world. Dr. Taylor has published numerous articles based upon the data he has collected over the
past 25 years, uncovering aspects of financial history that few people know about. He has written two books on financial history, a novel, and several short stories.
about the economics of the arts. He has taught both economics and finance at numerous universities in southern California and in Switzerland. He began putting together the Global Financial Database in 1990, collecting and transcribing financial and economic data from historical archives around the world. Dr. Taylor has published numerous articles based upon the data he has collected over the
past 25 years, uncovering aspects of financial history that few people know about. He has written two books on financial history, a novel, and several short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 2, 2019
This book covers important topics in economics, focusing primarily on the history of fiscal and monetary policies and their roles in boom and busts. These are important issues for which Dr. Taylor provides expertise and strong opinions. However, the text is laid back and at times playful, never dry or pedantic, but not quite witty or laugh-out-loud funny either. It is a very relaxed but informative and important overview of how macroeconomic policy has affected our lives in the past and will affect them in the future.
February 9, 2018
A really funny book. Taylor covers a lot of different areas of finance and economics with insights that you wouldn't normally get. Taylor definitely has a sense of humor and thorough knowledge of the events that created some of the most bizarre events in financial history. Definitely a fun book to take on a vacation.
July 4, 2018
Applied economics
Dr. Taylor limits his topics to a few areas of controversial interest. He provides a deep dive into each topic and while using extensive data for support, explains each topic in a way that is understandable for us non-economists. This book provided a much better understanding of how the gold standard worked and how the policies of various governments have affected their economy and prosperity. I really enjoyed it. A relatively light read on a difficult subject.
Dr. Taylor limits his topics to a few areas of controversial interest. He provides a deep dive into each topic and while using extensive data for support, explains each topic in a way that is understandable for us non-economists. This book provided a much better understanding of how the gold standard worked and how the policies of various governments have affected their economy and prosperity. I really enjoyed it. A relatively light read on a difficult subject.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews