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Popes and Bankers: A Cultural History of Credit and Debt, from Aristotle to AIG |  | Author: Jack Cashill
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Category: Book
List Price: $14.99
Buy New: $8.17
as of 9/7/2010 18:41 CDT details
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Seller: grundy4071
Rating:  72 reviews
Sales Rank: 161927
Media: Paperback
Pages: 272
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8
ISBN: 1595552731
Dewey Decimal Number: 332.09
EAN: 9781595552730
ASIN: 1595552731
Publication Date: March 16, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
The first accessible, upbeat, engaging and even amusing history of the endlessly fascinating topic of credit and debt, which has shaped civilization in ways even bankers cannot begin to imagine. It is altogether appropriate that the term applied to today's economic woes is "credit crunch." When banks stop lending, even to each other, and when no amount of interest can prompt them, the gears of the world's civilization grind to an ungodly halt. Crunch! From Plato to payday loans, from the Council of Nicea to the Al Qaeda Reader, and from Shylock to Hitler's Mein Kampf, Jack Cashill's Popes and Bankers relates the colorful and contentious story of how this unlikely lubricant helped create the greatest civilization that the world has ever known, even if today its gears are grinding.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 72
 Intriguing...but partial. May 2, 2010
Brett Farrell (Cape May, NJ USA)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is an interesting and fast paced romp through the world of economics. You could never use this book as reference should you be writing a report on the history of money however. It does not start as much but definitely leans heavily towards a biased prospective of non-governmental regulation and conservative values. I can't imagine the author is anything but a libertarian. There is nothing wrong with that (depending on whom you ask anyway) but it definitely leans very heavily in that direction and if you were looking for an impartial view on the current mess, you won't find it here. It makes some very good arguments though.
The book was a good read and I couldn't put it down. It's certainly motivated me to do some of my own historical research into past methods of banking and lending and given me an interesting view and starting point.
If you are looking for an in-depth look into financial histories, this is not it. It is merely highlights of economics as they were formed and affected the western world.
Popes and Bankers, expect the unexpected March 27, 2010
Beth
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
One of the things Mr. Cashill is known for is illuminating the true circumstances around events which others have spun to produce a desired outcome. Reading his retelling of these stories has the effect of upending much of what you thought you knew.
In this particular book he takes the time period from Aristotle to present day and successfully strings together the intriguing stories into a narrative that was a joy to read.
What I found particularly interesting were the historical developments related to anti-Semitism; beginning with the role of philosophers, theologians, and institutions trying to grapple with the issue of profit making from loans(rather than from producing goods) and their pronouncements regarding the morality of this activity, contrasted with those such as Marx who would find useful the negative associations related to the the success of Jews in European finance "huckstering" to support their agendas.
The book does a very good job of explaining the development of credit dependency and the complex financial products brought into being without making your eyes glaze over. In fact, it's quite fascinating.
It is not at all a dark view of history, but a web of human action covering a range of motivations from the desire to create a just and moral society to the expansion of wealth for all to the exploitation for personal gain or ideological purpose. And the effect is kind of heart wrenching. There are wonderful surprises throughout which bring a smile to your face, such as Institutes having been written by John Calvin at age 26.
Not to be missed.
Great Survey of Credit and Debt May 3, 2010
W. Dowler (MO United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Jack Cashill's most recent book is an attempt to explore the history of credit and debt and how these factors have lead to our current economic crisis. Looking towards Aristotle, Shakespeare, the Medici, Bernie Madoff, and others, Cashill uncovers an interesting narrative illuminating the history of credit and debt. He begins his journey in biblical times, with an emphasis on how prominent religions have influenced the public's tension between "pious restraint" and "economic ambition."
Although the long title of this book may give the impression of dry academia, I was happily surprised by Cashill's entertaining prose and healthy irony. Although the first few chapters contained many postdoctoral words and the footnotes were located in the back of the book, I found myself drawn into the illustrations and able to understand the underlying economic principles. The focus on how religion has influenced economic policy was especially interesting, and found it surprising how the church's stance on usury (interest) and prodigality (credit) has evolved over time. The author approaches credit and debt not only from a scientific standpoint, but also a moral standpoint, concluding the lack of personal responsibility and greed have contributed the most in bringing down our modern system. At times, I felt his preference for non-governmental regulation tainted his presentation of modern examples, but overall each economic theory seemed to be presented fairly. If you want to survey the history of credit and debt, or just want to know why certain people are stereotyped as greedy, I would highly recommend this book.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
good history of usury and debt April 6, 2010
Joan N. (Whidbey Island, WA USA)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Only Jews and Christians, of all ancient people, said usury (lending at interest) was sinful. Yet from their heritage has risen the West's extraordinary economy.
Cashill takes the reader on a historical review of the people and groups who have influenced finances, from the Templars toGreenspan.
There is a review of the history of the U. S. banks and lending agencies, including the origin of home loan, installment buying, the secret meeting that spawned the Federal Reserve, the private meeting in 1927 of international bankers that may have led to the crash of 1929, Roosevelt and the Emergency Banking Act (seizure of privately held gold) and Glass-Steagull Act (separating banks into investing or deposit) of 1933.
Cashill moves through the creation of the Federal National Mortgage Association in 1938, the introduction of the first credit card (1946/1947, Flatbush National Bank of Brooklyn), the creation of collateralized mortgage obligations in 1983 and more.
With more clear explanations and fascinating descriptions of essential individuals, Cashill takes the reader up through the recent lending crisis.
Cashill ends his book with comments from Dave Ramsey - a reminder that character counts.
Anyone interested in the history of usury and debt will find this a valuable book to read.
This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers.
History Buffs Will Love This, But an Enjoyable Read for the Non History Lover as Well April 7, 2010
Sarah Raymond Cunningham (Southeast Michigan)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Jack Cashill, author of 14 books and DVDs including Hoodwinked and Sucker Punch, has released a book that aims straight at America's dependence on credit.
The book begins by referencing Dante's Inferno, citing how it categorized money lenders with murderers in the fourth circle of hell. It then gives a broad overview of how buyers were lured into purchasing homes with no money down, how Washington enabled this credit bubble and how the media went easy on everyone involved.
If this sounds like a boring academic title though, think again. Cashill strings together a series of interesting tales to show how America came to their current philosophy (reliance) on lending. Occasionally, Cashill forays into the religious arena, as well, noting that shared Jewish and Christian tradition treated charging interest for loans as a moral failure on the part of the lender. The reader will also pick up new trivia on how credit cards, home loans and buying on installment came into play--all tid bits that belong to Cashill's bigger tale of how we became so reliant on credit.
The good news is you don't have to be well-versed in financial terminology or history to follow Cashill's easy to read style, although a lover of history would likely be the perfect buyer for this book.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 72
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