
Borrow
The American Way of Debt
Louis Hyman(Author)
Random House USA Inc (Publisher)
Published on 24. January 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-0-307-74168-4 (ISBN)
Description
In this lively history of consumer debt in America, economic historian Louis Hyman demonstrates that today's problems are not as new as we think.
Borrow examines how the rise of consumer borrowing-virtually unknown before the twentieth century-has altered our culture and economy. Starting in the years before the Great Depression, increased access to money raised living standards but also introduced unforeseen risks. As lending grew more and more profitable, it displaced funds available for business borrowing, setting our economy on an unsustainable course. Told through the vivid stories of individuals and institutions affected by these changes, Borrow charts the collision of commerce and culture in twentieth-century America, giving an historical perspective on what is new-and what is not-in today's economic turmoil.
A Paperback Original
Borrow examines how the rise of consumer borrowing-virtually unknown before the twentieth century-has altered our culture and economy. Starting in the years before the Great Depression, increased access to money raised living standards but also introduced unforeseen risks. As lending grew more and more profitable, it displaced funds available for business borrowing, setting our economy on an unsustainable course. Told through the vivid stories of individuals and institutions affected by these changes, Borrow charts the collision of commerce and culture in twentieth-century America, giving an historical perspective on what is new-and what is not-in today's economic turmoil.
A Paperback Original
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
India
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
19 ILLUSTRATIONS
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 132 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
385 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-307-74168-4 (9780307741684)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
Louis Hyman attended Columbia University, where he received a BA in history and mathematics. A former Fulbright scholar and a consultant at McKinsey & Co., he received his PhD in American history in 2007 from Harvard University. He is currently an assistant professor in Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, where he teaches history.