Bailout Nation: How Greed and Easy Money Corrupted Wall Street and Shook the World Economy

Description

An engaging look at what led to the financial turmoil we now find ourselves in. Bailout Nation offers one of the clearest looks at the financial lenders, regulators, and politicians responsible for the financial crisis of 2008. Written by Barry Ritholtz, one of today's most popular economic bloggers and a well-established industry pundit, this book skillfully explores how the United States evolved from a rugged independent nation to a soft Bailout Nation -where financial firms are allowed to self-regulate in good times, but are bailed out by taxpayers in bad times. Entertaining and informative.;A brief history of bailouts -- The creation of the Federal Reserve, and its role in creating our bailout nation -- Pre-bailout nation : (1860-1942) -- Industrial-era bailouts (1971-1995) -- Stock market bailouts, 1987-1995 -- The irrational exuberance era (1996-1999) -- The tech wreck, 2000-2003 -- The backwards, rate-driven economy -- The mad scramble for yield -- The machinery of subprime -- A memo found in the street : Uncle Sam the enabler.