Could anyone here recommend a book to me? I'm looking for a book that describes the history of American monetary policy. Perhaps starting from the constitution to today. I would like one that perhaps describes arguments from both sides, arguing for central banks and control of monetary policy, and also arguing for free market money, no central bank, etc...
Does that make sense? I'm sure there is one out there. I'm just very interested so I can argue against centrally planned money, etc...
Thank you.
Also, to add to this: is there a book about the history of recessions/depressions in this country? I would like to know when, where, and why they happened.
Point of Inquiry:
Why would you want a book that argues for central banking when you are going to be arguing against it? Would not a book that argues against centralized banking present their argument in order to refute them?
'Men do not change, they unmask themselves' - Germaine de Stael
Laughing Man: Point of Inquiry: Why would you want a book that argues for central banking when you are going to be arguing against it? Would not a book that argues against centralized banking present their argument in order to refute them?
What better source material to read in order to argue against, than the very same arguments that proponents of central banking utilize? It's for this very same reason I've recently picked up Thomas Sowell's "Marxism" as a possible primer for whenever I get around to getting all 3 volumes of Kapital, in order to enhance my understanding & hence, my arguments against Marxism, hopefully by utilizing the socialists gospel's very own words against them.
"Look at me, I'm quoting another user to show how wrong I think they are, out of arrogance of my own position. Wait, this is my own quote, oh shi-" ~ Nitroadict
Very good point! Perhaps I should rephrase my question and just ask for a book that explains the United State's monetary policy history and has arguments for a free banking and money system.
Appreciate the thought.
History of Money and Banking in the United States: The Colonial Era to World War II
I haven't read this next one by Larry Sechrest
Free Banking: Theory, History and a Laissez-Faire Model
Nitroadict:What better source material to read in order to argue against, than the very same arguments that proponents of central banking utilize? It's for this very same reason I've recently picked up Thomas Sowell's "Marxism" as a possible primer for whenever I get around to getting all 3 volumes of Kapital, in order to enhance my understanding & hence, my arguments against Marxism, hopefully by utilizing the socialists gospel's very own words against them.
A very valid point. However, I see that he is new to these forums. Perhaps building a strong foundation as to monetary history is better then trying to refute it right off the bat.
liberty student: History of Money and Banking in the United States: The Colonial Era to World War II
Damnit I was going to recommend that!
Rothbard is the Austrian expert on American money, banking history.
http://mises.org/books/historyofmoney.pdf
http://mises.org/money.asp
both very good.
BTW, there is a pdf of WHGDOM, but I prefer the web based one. It's a little more organized with all the sections broken down.
Thanks for these recommendations. They are downloaded and I will be looking them over.
I just finished Rothbard's "What Has Government Done To Our Money." I'm working my way through the home study course, and believe I have a firm grasp on the fundamentals of what money is. I've read through some of Mise's "Theory on Money and Credit." I've read some sections of Ron Paul's books on money. I'm just about to hop into "The Austrian Theory of the Trade Cycel and Other Essay."
I appreciate the help from you guys.
I'm actually in a Speech 101 class in college right now, and I've chosen "Money, Monetary Policy, and How It Affects All Of Us" as the topic of a required informative speech.
I might also recommend Rothbard's History of Economic Thought for some theoritcal aspects.
One other quick question that has to do with books that you can download in .pdf form from the Mises Institute:
Do you guys know if it is okay for me to go to a printing and copy shop and make copies of these books? If this is okay, and even recommended, where do you guys think I should go to do this?
Cole:Do you guys know if it is okay for me to go to a printing and copy shop and make copies of these books?
I believe all or nearly all of the material on Mises.org is now Creative Commons licensed. You can copy and reproduce any of it. You can share any of it.
I have no idea how to go about that, but you can do it.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/