78. "The Money Men" by H.W. Brands, c2006

Very enjoyable historical about the leaders of banking changes in the United States. Gets down to quotes from letters between players, particularly adversaries, during attempts to create the first, second, etc. National Bank. Really interesting why there was so much resistance and what each side did to destroy the other. Amazing parallels to economic struggles today, except, at least for now, for even more devious actions that intentionally brought down the economy. Really drives home the relationships between fiat dollars, species money, foreign trade & at that time inter state trade, and underlying businesses, for example railroads and steamships, affected or used to play the markets. After reading this you WILL become skeptical of the money men and government today and how they affect your life.