
The House of Money
A New History of Banks and Banking
Edward Russell-Walling(Author)
Callisto (Publisher)
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-0-85740-003-1 (ISBN)
Description
In the unfolding drama of the global financial crisis of 2007-2010, bankers have been cast in the role of the bad guys: greedy risk-takers whose speculative investments triggered the worst recession since the 1930s; bloated 'fat cats' living in a bonus-cushioned bubble divorced from the day-to-day financial struggles of ordinary mortals...
It was ever thus. Throughout their 600-year history, banks have been courted by princes, potentates, entrepreneurs and statesmen - but also loathed and feared for the breadth of their power and reach. We despise banks with a passion born of dependence, for they are the beating heart that keeps money circulating around our lives and our economies. Our history is inseparable from the history of moneylenders.
The House of Money traces that history though the stories of the world's great banking houses, from the Medici family of 14th-century Florence to Goldman Sachs of 21st-century Wall Street, much-feared epitome of the modern investment banking house. Each bank is set clearly in historical context and its influence on financial and broader political history explained and assessed. The book also includes special features on the biggest deals and biggest crashes in financial history, from the loan made by the Bardi family to Edward III of England to finance his ruinously expensive wars with France (and which bankrupted the Italian family), to the financing of the Japanese industrial revolution by British banks in the early 20th century and the sensational fall of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. in 2008.
It was ever thus. Throughout their 600-year history, banks have been courted by princes, potentates, entrepreneurs and statesmen - but also loathed and feared for the breadth of their power and reach. We despise banks with a passion born of dependence, for they are the beating heart that keeps money circulating around our lives and our economies. Our history is inseparable from the history of moneylenders.
The House of Money traces that history though the stories of the world's great banking houses, from the Medici family of 14th-century Florence to Goldman Sachs of 21st-century Wall Street, much-feared epitome of the modern investment banking house. Each bank is set clearly in historical context and its influence on financial and broader political history explained and assessed. The book also includes special features on the biggest deals and biggest crashes in financial history, from the loan made by the Bardi family to Edward III of England to finance his ruinously expensive wars with France (and which bankrupted the Italian family), to the financing of the Japanese industrial revolution by British banks in the early 20th century and the sensational fall of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. in 2008.
More details
Edition
Callisto
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Atlantic Books
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
50 colour illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 148 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-85740-003-1 (9780857400031)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Edward Russell-Walling is a freelance writer and editor who specialises in business and finance and contributes regularly to publications such as the Financial Times, New Statesman and The Banker. His first book, 50 Management Ideas You Really Need to Know, was published in the US October 2007 in America and in April 2008 in the UK and has sold in eleven foreign territories.