Lords of Finance by Liaquat Ahamed

Description

“Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World” is a non-fiction book written by Liaquat Ahamed. Published in 2009, this Pulitzer Prize-winning book explores the interconnected lives and careers of four central bankers during the tumultuous period leading up to and during the Great Depression.

The book primarily focuses on the central bankers of four major Western economies:

1. Benjamin Strong Jr., head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
2. Montagu Norman, the Governor of the Bank of England.
3. Émile Moreau, Governor of the Banque de France.
4. Hjalmar Schacht, President of the Reichsbank in Germany.

“Lords of Finance” delves into the economic and political decisions made by these influential figures and how their actions and policies impacted the global economy in the years following World War I. It provides a detailed account of the financial chaos and crises of the interwar period, ultimately leading to the Great Depression.

Liaquat Ahamed’s book is highly regarded for its in-depth research and narrative storytelling, shedding light on the complex relationships between finance, politics, and economics during a critical period in world history. It offers valuable insights into the individuals and institutions responsible for shaping the global financial landscape during a time of great instability.