The Early History of Greed

The Early History of Greed PDF Author: Richard Newhauser
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139425013
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 266

Get Book Here

Book Description
The history of avarice as the deadliest vice in western Europe has been said to begin in earnest only with the rise of capitalism or, earlier, the rise of a money economy. In this first full-length study of the early history of greed, Richard Newhauser shows that avaritia, the sin of greed for possessions, has a much longer history, and is more important for an understanding of the Middle Ages, than has previously been allowed. His examination of theological and literary texts composed between the first century CE and the tenth century reveals new significance in the portrayal of various kinds of greed, to the extent that by the early Middle Ages avarice was available to head the list of vices for authors engaged in the task of converting others from pagan materialism to Christian spirituality.

The Early History of Greed

The Early History of Greed PDF Author: Richard Newhauser
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139425013
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 266

Get Book Here

Book Description
The history of avarice as the deadliest vice in western Europe has been said to begin in earnest only with the rise of capitalism or, earlier, the rise of a money economy. In this first full-length study of the early history of greed, Richard Newhauser shows that avaritia, the sin of greed for possessions, has a much longer history, and is more important for an understanding of the Middle Ages, than has previously been allowed. His examination of theological and literary texts composed between the first century CE and the tenth century reveals new significance in the portrayal of various kinds of greed, to the extent that by the early Middle Ages avarice was available to head the list of vices for authors engaged in the task of converting others from pagan materialism to Christian spirituality.

History of Greed

History of Greed PDF Author: David E. Y. Sarna
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470877707
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 418

Get Book Here

Book Description
The “greater fool” theory of economics states that it’s possible to make money by buying paper (securities), whether overvalued or not, and later, selling it at a profit because there will always be an even greater fool willing to pay the higher price. Many described in this book profited by peddling such worthless junk to foolish investors. But for some people—Bernie Madoff, Norman Hsu, Sholam Weiss, and “Crazie Eddie” Antar, aka the “Darth Vader of Capitalism”—overvalued securities were not enough. Outright fraud was their way of life. History of Greed is the compelling inside story of the names you know—Charles Ponzi, Baron Rothschild, Lou Pearlman—and the names you don’t—Isaac Le Maire, the world’s first “naked” short-seller. It’s also our story—why we ignore the lessons of the past and fall prey, most every time, to the promise of easy money. For thousands of years, alchemists unsuccessfully tried to turn worthless base metals into gold. Where science failed at turning nothing into something, business succeeded. Sometimes we praise the creators of derivatives, collateral debt obligations, subprime mortgages, credit default swaps, or auction rate securities as Wall Street’s new financial wizards, the creators of “magic paper.” Other times, we vilify and prosecute them as scam artists. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell who is who. History of Greed reveals the inside secrets of how the markets really work, and how scam artists abuse them to gain an unfair edge or to outright steal. It describes how luftgescheft (“air business”), wizardry, dishonesty, and fraud are used to swindle people. Along with a comprehensive bibliography, History of Greed also details: 400 years of financial fraud—from everyday fraud to the odd and unusual Accounting fraud (phantom sales), stock option fraud (backdating), auction rate securities, hedge fund fraud, Ponzi schemes, promotion fraud (pump-and-dump scams), and money laundering How to detect fraudulent schemes How government regulation only fixes yesterday’s problems If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. If they say you can’t lose, you probably will. History of Greed shows that there really is no such thing as a free lunch, while also detailing how not to become the “greater fool.”

Age of Greed

Age of Greed PDF Author: Jeff Madrick
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 1400075661
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 482

Get Book Here

Book Description
A vivid history of the recent economics of greed in the United States. This book explores how the pursuit of immense personal wealth has led to economic inequity and instability in the country. “A fascinating and deeply disturbing tale of hypocrisy, corruption, and insatiable greed. . . . A much-needed reminder of just how we got into the mess we’re in.”—The New York Review of Books Age of Greed shows how the single-minded and selfish pursuit of immense personal wealth has been on the rise in the United States. Economic journalist Jeff Madrick tells this story through incisive profiles of the individuals responsible for this dramatic shift in our country’s fortunes, from the architects of the free-market economic philosophy (such as Milton Friedman and Alan Greenspan) to the politicians and businessmen (including Nixon, Reagan, Boesky, and Soros) who put it into practice. The stories detail how a movement initially conceived as a moral battle for freedom instead brought about some of our nation's most pressing economic problems, including the intense economic inequity and instability America suffers from today. This is an indispensible guide to understanding the 1 percent.

The Early History of Greed

The Early History of Greed PDF Author: Richard G. Newhauser
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 246

Get Book Here

Book Description


The Devil's Riches

The Devil's Riches PDF Author: Jared Poley
Publisher: Berghahn Books
ISBN: 1785331272
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 225

Get Book Here

Book Description
A seeming constant in the history of capitalism, greed has nonetheless undergone considerable transformations over the last five hundred years. This multilayered account offers a fresh take on an old topic, arguing that greed was experienced as a moral phenomenon and deployed to make sense of an unjust world. Focusing specifically on the interrelated themes of religion, economics, and health—each of which sought to study and channel the power of financial desire—Jared Poley shows how evolving ideas about greed became formative elements of the modern experience.

Gold, Greed and Glory

Gold, Greed and Glory PDF Author: Kate Ruland-Thorne
Publisher: Publishamerica Incorporated
ISBN: 9781413793222
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 280

Get Book Here

Book Description
Prior to 1864, the vast lands north of the Gila River in Arizona County, New Mexico Territory, were known only as Tierra Incognita, unknown lands, inhabited by the fierce Tonto Apache and Yavapai people. Gold remained a rumor there until 1863 when two mountain men, each leading separate expeditions, discovered it. One year later, President Abraham Lincoln declared Arizona a territory. Immediately the stampede for gold was underway, creating the inevitable conflict with the Native population. The Indians held the upper hand until the arrival of General George Crook in 1872. Following on the heels of the prospectors, soldiers and government officials were the pioneers, entrepreneurs, outlaws, lawmen and ladies of the night. Each contributed a thread to the vibrant tapestry woven into the territorial history of this fascinating era. "Gold, Greed and Glory" looks deeply into many of their lives, gives them flesh and blood, and carries the reader along on their exploits and glorious adventures.

Money, Greed, and God

Money, Greed, and God PDF Author: Jay W. Richards
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0061874566
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 276

Get Book Here

Book Description
In Money, Greed, and God: Why Capitalism is the Solution and Not the Problem, Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute Jay W. Richards and bestselling author of Indivisible: Restoring Faith, Family, and Freedom Before It's Too Late and Infiltrated: How to Stop the Insiders and Activists Who Are Exploiting the Financial Crisis to Control Our Lives and Our Fortunes, defends capitalism within the context of the Christian faith, revealing how entrepreneurial enterprise, based on hard work, honesty, and trust, actually fosters creativity and growth. In doing so, Money, Greed, and God exposes eight myths about capitalism, and demonstrates that a good Christian can be a good capitalist.

Fortunes of Africa

Fortunes of Africa PDF Author: Martin Meredith
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1471135462
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 768

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this vast and vivid panorama of history, Martin Meredith, bestselling author of The State of Africa, follows the fortunes of Africa over a period of 5,000 years. With compelling narrative, he traces the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms and empires; the spread of Christianity and Islam; the enduring quest for gold and other riches; the exploits of explorers and missionaries; and the impact of European colonisation. He examines, too, the fate of modern African states and concludes with a glimpse into their future. This is history on an epic scale.

Luxury and the Ethics of Greed in Early Modern Italy

Luxury and the Ethics of Greed in Early Modern Italy PDF Author: Catherine Kovesi
Publisher:
ISBN: 9782503580128
Category : Consumption (Economics)
Languages : en
Pages : 338

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book unravels the complex interaction of the paradigms of luxury and greed which lie at the origins of modern consumption practices. In the Western world, the phenomenon of luxury and the ethical dilemmas it raised appeared, for the first time since antiquity, in early modern Italy. Here, luxury emerged as a core idea in the conceptualization of consumption. Simultaneously, greed - which manifested in new and unrestrained consumption practices - came under close ethical scrutiny. As the buying power of new classes gained pace, these paradigms evolved as they continued both to influence, and be influenced by, other emerging global cultures through the early modern period.00After defining luxury and greed in their historical contexts, the volume?s chapters elucidate new consumptive goods, from chocolate to official robes of state; they examine how ideas about, and objects of, luxury and greed were disseminated through print, diplomacy, and gift-giving; and they reveal how even the most elite of consumers could fake their luxury objects. A group of international scholars from a range of disciplines thereby provide a new appraisal and vision of luxury and the ethics of greed in early modern Italy.

Gold Rush Capitalists

Gold Rush Capitalists PDF Author: Mark A. Eifler
Publisher: UNM Press
ISBN: 9780826328229
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 306

Get Book Here

Book Description
Examines the interaction of capitalism and community in the founding of the gold rush city of Sacramento, and of the clashes between miners and city founders.