Investing in U.S. Financial History: Understanding the Past to Forecast the Future Hardcover – 27 Feb. 2024

Few finance books will remain relevant for years after they have been published. Investing in US Financial History will certainly be included in this list.It shocks me that, prior to Mark Higgins, no one had ever truly put pen to paper and walked through the entire financial history of the US dating back to Alexander Hamilton. Many of the stories written hold relevance and echo themes of today, although many are long forgotten to even advanced practitioners. The research conducted to put this together is incredibly thorough and provides a wealth of knowledge for today's investors.One important lesson that the book leaves you with is the understanding that many financial events or concerns echo multiple periods in history. By providing a one-stop book to learn about all of those major events plus documentation for further reading, the reader walks away with a greater understanding of the world they live in and how it came to be.I will certainly be reading this book multiple times. If there are ever future editions, I'll absolutely add them to my shelf, especially considering all the underlining I ended up doing in the current version. This book is simply invaluable!

This book provides great insight into the historic evolution of the US financial system. It is full of very interesting information, and for a historic account, easy to read! It is a staple for any financial library.

Although the title of the book alludes to the evolution of investing as an activity throughout US Financial History, I feel that the time spent reading this book is also an investment that unlocks a deeper understanding and appreciation for the financial markets.Starting from the birth of the country and the financial system till the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s effects on the economy, the book crisply flows through the various eras that defined the country. It is an unbiased retelling of the various manias, the after effects and the reforms that followed, expressed through the eyes and context of that time-period. The author manages to express the prevailing sentiments of that time through the use of quotes and anecdotes from that period, thereby managing to avoid the slightly patronising tone that hindsight sometimes creates.While the clever quotes and point of interest boxes keep you entertained throughout, the extensive notes section that provides the sources for all the information in the book ensures that this book is worth revisiting many times.I urge every one who is interested in creating a successful career in finance or financial services to grab a copy of this book and read it from cover to cover because as the saying goes - ‘Those who do not learn history are bound to repeat it.’

A very informative book about the history of capital in our capitalistic past. It reveals how economics and politics have both advanced and corrupted each other in the past 250 years of America. It shows how fragile our system really is, and how luck has sometimes been responsible for the continuation of our republic. This reader is not so sure how much longer our luck will last. But, I hope the optimism expressed by Mark does bear out.

This is one of the best books ever written in finance and investing. The highly credentialed author (CFA, CFP) traces US financial history from the early days of George Washington and Alexander Hamilton in establishing the financial system to current day. Not surprisingly, there are patterns in history that repeat. That’s why the establishment of a central bank, the Fed, is so important. Alexander Hamilton was right. His insights in 1790 were dead on, including the prediction that the US would surpass Great Britain to become the world’s leading economy. The book is well researched, easy to read, very clear, and has actionable insights that can improve your ability as an astute investor. Highly recommend. Enjoy!