Lords of Finance

by Liaquat Ahamed
Lords of Finance cover
Good Books rating 4.5
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Paperback • £14.99
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  • ID: 2181
  • Added: 2025-10-12
  • Updated: 2025-10-12
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
bookmarks.reviews · Unknown · 2025-10-16
engaging 4.50

Lords of Finance provides a gripping account of the financial crisis of the 1930s, focusing on the central bankers who shaped economic policies. The book offers a detailed and engaging narrative that highlights the complexities and consequences of their decisions.

Lords of Finance is a compelling exploration of the financial crisis of the 1930s, centering on the lives and decisions of four key central bankers. The book delves into the personal and professional challenges these men faced, providing a nuanced understanding of the economic turmoil of the time. The narrative is both informative and engaging, offering insights into the broader implications of their actions. While the book is dense with historical detail, it remains accessible and thought-provoking, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in economic history.

Quick quotes

    The book is a masterful account of the financial crisis of the 1930s.

    It offers a detailed and engaging narrative that highlights the complexities and consequences of the central bankers' decisions.

    The author provides a nuanced understanding of the economic turmoil of the time.

ig.ft.com · Unknown · 2025-10-16
compelling 4.50

Lords of Finance is a highly readable account of the Great Depression, focusing on the decisions of four central bankers whose actions had global consequences. The book is timely, as it draws parallels to the current financial crisis and highlights the role of individual ambitions and limitations in economic catastrophes.

Lords of Finance stands out among works on the Great Depression for its readability and vivid biographical details. The book centers on four central bankers—Norman Montagu, Benjamin Strong, Hjalmar Schacht, and Emile Moreau—whose decisions during the 1929 Wall Street Crash and subsequent Great Depression had far-reaching impacts. The narrative is both gripping and timely, as it underscores how individual actions and human nature can lead to global economic catastrophes. The book's relevance is heightened by the parallels it draws to the current financial crisis, making it a compelling read for those interested in economics and history. The detailed portrayal of these bankers' lives and actions provides a unique perspective on the events that shaped the 20th century.

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    Unlike most works on the origins of the Great Depression, Lords of Finance is highly readable — enlivened by vivid biographical detail but soundly based on the literature.

    That it should appear now, as history threatens to repeat itself, compounds its appeal.

    Their names were lost to history, their lives and actions forgotten, until now.

nytimes.com · Unknown · 2009-02-13
engaging 4.50

Lords of Finance provides a gripping account of the financial crisis of the 1930s, focusing on the central bankers who shaped economic policies. The book offers a detailed and engaging narrative that highlights the complexities and consequences of their decisions.

Lords of Finance is a compelling exploration of the financial turmoil of the 1930s, centering on the lives and decisions of four key central bankers. The book delves into the personal and professional challenges these men faced, providing a nuanced understanding of the economic policies that both mitigated and exacerbated the Great Depression. The narrative is both informative and engaging, offering valuable insights into the interconnectedness of global finance. While the book is dense with historical detail, it is written in a way that makes the complex financial concepts accessible to a broader audience. The author's thorough research and vivid storytelling bring the past to life, making it a must-read for anyone interested in economic history.

Quick quotes

    They were the architects of their own destruction

    The book is a masterful account of how the decisions of a few men could have such far-reaching consequences

    It's a sobering reminder of the fragility of the global economy

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2009-01-01
brilliant 4.50

Lords of Finance is praised for its grand narrative and insightful analysis of the economic events leading up to the Great Depression, focusing on the lives and decisions of key bankers. The book draws strong parallels between past and present economic crises, offering timely lessons for today's policymakers.

Lords of Finance by Liaquat Ahamed is widely acclaimed for its sweeping narrative and deep dive into the economic turmoil of the 1920s and 1930s. The book centers around four central bankers whose decisions significantly influenced the global economy, providing a compelling mix of narrative, accessible economics, and vivid insights. Reviewers highlight the book's relevance to contemporary economic challenges, suggesting that today's policymakers can learn valuable lessons from the mistakes of the past. The characters are brought to life in a way that makes complex economic concepts engaging and understandable. While some critics note occasional unnecessary personal details, the overall drama and analysis of monetary policy are highly praised. The book's exploration of the Great Depression and its parallels to recent financial crises makes it a timely and essential read.

Quick quotes

    A grand, sweeping narrative of immense scope and power, the book describes a world that long ago receded from memory: the West after World War I, a time of economic fragility, of bubbles followed by busts and of a cascading series of events that led to the Great Depression

    Brilliant and timely ... A mixture of compelling narrative, accessible economics and vivid insights

    Erudite, entertaining macroeconomic history of the lead-up to the Great Depression as seen through the careers of the West’s principal bankers ... Spellbinding, insightful and, perhaps most important, timely.

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