A Short History of Financial Euphoria
About this product
The world-renowned economist offers "dourly irreverent analyses of financial debacle from the tulip craze of the seventeenth century to the recent plague of junk bonds." — The Atlantic.
With incomparable wisdom, skill, and wit, world-renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith traces the history of the major speculative episodes in our economy over the last three centuries. Exposing the ways in which normally sane people display reckless behavior in pursuit of profit, Galbraith asserts that our "notoriously short" financial memory is what creates the conditions for market collapse. By recognizing these signs and understanding what causes them we can guard against future recessions and have a better hold on our country's (and our own) financial destiny. Read more
Editor's Take
Amazon reviewers say this is a short, easy-to-read book with excellent prose, and many describe it as interesting, brilliant, and worthwhile for investors. Common positives include its concise format, wit, and usefulness as a historical overview of speculative bubbles.
On Amazon and Goodreads, some readers say it is insightful and highly relevant, while others feel it is too vague and does not provide much practical advice. Goodreads reviews also repeatedly call it simple, intelligent, and required reading for people trying to understand market psychology.
On Reddit, users generally recommend it as a light but meaningful read about bubbles and financial mania. A few readers note that it covers a lot in a small number of pages and is especially good as a historical perspective rather than a step-by-step investing guide.
Review blogs describe it as a witty, compact history of speculation and often praise Galbraith's sharp, skeptical tone. Overall, the main pattern across sources is strong appreciation for the writing style and historical insight, with some criticism that it is more provocative and general than actionable.
Price History
Specifications
| Publisher | Penguin Books |
| Publication date | July 1, 1994 |
| Edition | Reprint |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 128 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0140238565 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0140238563 |
| Item Weight | 2.31 pounds |
| Dimensions | 5.04 x 0.36 x 7.72 inches |
| Best Sellers Rank | #39,962 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #22 in Theory of Economics #34 in Economic History (Books) #47 in World War I History (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,109) |
