Founding Finance

Discover the intricacies of America's economic beginnings in Founding Finance by William Hogeland, published by the University of Texas Press in 2014. This compelling paperback spans 284 pages and provides a captivating exploration of the financial landscape from 1789 to 1815. Hogeland delves into the foreclosure crises that were far more severe than those we see today, as well as the investment bubbles in land and securities that lured wealthy individuals into risky borrowing. The book vividly illustrates how these financial practices led to extravagant displays of wealth, only to plunge many into the depths of debtors' prisons. With insightful analysis, Founding Finance sheds light on depressions that were longer and more profound than the Great Depression of the twentieth century. This essential read offers a unique perspective on the politics and government of early America, making it a must-have for anyone interested in the historical foundations of finance.