Synopses & Reviews
An epic saga that recounts the turbulent history of money. The Pursuit of Wealth is a fascinating 5,000 year journey through the evolution of money and investing. From risk versus return in Mesopotamia through today's rough-and-tumble, high-stakes stock markets, this behind-the-scenes tale will intrigue both financial historians and history-minded investors alike.
Barron's columnist Robert Sobel weaves a richly textured tale of risk and the never ending quest for wealth since the dawn of man. The Pursuit of Wealth - filled with gripping stories, tales of war, and legacies of great fortunes won and lost - is much more than simply a compelling read; it provides valuable insights that can be applied to today's turbulent times.
Table of Contents
The Ancient World.
The Imperial Age of Alexander and Rome.
The European Middle Ages: The Birth of a New Economic Age.
The Italian Bankers and Their Clients.
The Atlantic Age.
Europe's American Empires.
The English Advantage.
The American Paths to Wealth.
Industrial Wealth.
The Mechanization of Agriculture.
Infrastructure and Wealth.
Emperor Wheat and King Cotton.
Gold, Silver, and the Civil War.
The Impact of the Transcontinentals.
The Arrival of Big Business.
The Government-Industrial Complex, 1914-1929.
The Great Bull Market of the 1920s.
The Old and the New in Post World War II America.
The Revival of the Securities Markets.
Creating Wealth During the Great Inflation.
The Democratization of Wealth.