Wall Street

Originally published in 1997 and revised in 2004, Charles Geisst's Wall Street: A History remains the most definitive take on how a small, concentrated pocket of lower Manhattan came to have such enormous influence in national and world affairs. This timely new edition will contain two new chapters, picking up after the fall of Enron and reflecting on the recent events of the global financial crisis. The first will cover the events precipitating the recent financial meltdown, and the second will cover the imminent policy changes of the Obama administration, which Geisst foresees will mark the end of an era of opposition to strong government, and the beginning of a period of state-dominated capitalism. Wall Street is at once the story of the street itself, from the days when the wall was merely a defensive barricade to the modern era in which it is the economic colossus of today, and an engaging economic history of the United States, and the role Wall Street played in making America the most powerful economy in the world, and the many challenges to that role it has faced in recent years. Acclaim for earlier editions: "A thorough retelling of a critical--though often overlooked--aspect of U.S. history."--The Wall Street Journal"A quick-reading history of the United States as told through the doings of bankers and brokers."--The Washington Post"Geisst has produced a sweeping history of Wall Street, from its inception as an outdoor market to its current status of global financial center.... This lively narrative is a good survey of American economic history that puts Wall Street at the forefront."--History"Concluding with the 2009 great recession, Geisst observes, 'As the markets meandered during the Great Recession, it became clear that Wall Street had little intention of reforming unless forced to do so by Washington.' Some things never change, as we learn in this excellent book for financial-history enthusiasts." --Booklist"Geisst is author of several works, including Collateral Damaged: The Marketing of Consumer Debt to America and TheLast Partnerships: Inside the Great Wall Street Dynasties." --CHOICE"In general, Wall Street is an informative and easy read, emphasizing colorful figures and suspensful anecdotes while providing the basic facts and noting key turning points."--Journal of Economic LiteraturePreface ; Introduction ; 1 - The Early Years ; 2 - The Railroad and Civil War Eras ; 3 - The Robber Barrons ; 4 - The Age of the Trusts ; 5 - The Money Trust ; 6 - The Booming Twenties ; 7 - Wall Street Meets the New Deal ; 8 - The Struggle Continues ; 9 - Bull Market ; 10 - Bear Market ; 11 - Megermania ; 12 - Running Out of Steam ; 13 - [events leading to financial crisis] ; 14 - [policy changes] ; Notes ; Bibliography ; Index