The American Financial Revolution That Created the World’s Richest Nation

This book presents a comprehensive analysis of interest rates from ancient times to the modern era. Despite the limited data before the Industrial Revolution, the authors offer a highly detailed examination of money markets and borrowing practices in major economies. The book asserts that free market long-term interest rates serve as a 'fever chart' of a nation's economic and political health, highlighting the significant volatility of rates in the 20th century and its implications for understanding economic and political excesses.

Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton is a landmark work that provides a detailed and vivid account of Hamilton's life. It recounts his rise from an illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan from the Caribbean to becoming a key figure in American history. Hamilton served as George Washington’s aide-de-camp, coauthored The Federalist Papers, founded the Bank of New York, led the Federalist Party, and became the first Treasury Secretary of the United States. Chernow's work challenges traditional views of Hamilton, portraying him as a complex figure driven by passionate patriotism and a stubborn will to build American prosperity and power. The biography also explores his personal life, including his relationships, feuds, and his famous duel with Aaron Burr. It is not just a portrait of Hamilton but also a narrative of America’s birth seen through his central role in it.