Discussing the Fundamental Price of Money.

The Financial Times and Goldman Sachs have put forth their long list for Business Book of the Year.  The  winner amongst the many terrific nominees should be Lords of Finance by Liaquat Ahamed.

That its richness in detail flows as easily as a Harry Potter novel is certainly laudable. It is the presentation of the cause and effect of monetary policy, its struggle to co-exist independently with its fiscal policy counterpart, and the depiction of the US Central Banking system in its infancy that make it mandatory to read in detail today. The composite presentation of key actions, key “inaction” and ignorance of bubble causing behavior are reticent today not only for comparing the similarities of the times, but further as a reminder of how fragile our institutions can truly become when put through such stress. As Mr Ahamed concludes in his final chapters, the story is further a stark reminder of the effects of prolonged economic despair.

If you have not done so, you must read Lords of Finance. It certainly is Business Book of the Year.

Robert Samuelson, (who in full disclosure was a former neighbor) writes in the Washington Post today blaming economists for misreading the current crisis, failing to give proper warning. Instead, they were “out to lunch”.

In my opinion, a more thoughtful, introspective, and productive piece on the same subject was written some SEVEN months ago by Martin Wolf of the Financial times.

Judge for yourself.

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