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The story of silver : how the white metal shaped America and the modern world / William L. Silber.

LIBRA HG301 .S55 2019
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Format:
Book
Author/Creator:
Silber, William L., author.
Language:
English
Subjects (All):
Hunt, Nelson Bunker.
Roosevelt, Franklin D (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945--Influence.
Silver--Economic aspects--History--20th century.
Silver.
Silver--Prices--History--20th century.
Silver--Prices.
History.
Silver--Economic aspects.
United States--Economic conditions--20th century.
United States.
Economic conditions.
Economic history.
Silver (metal.).
Silver Economics of.
Local Subjects:
Hunt, Nelson Bunker.
Roosevelt, Franklin D (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945--Influence.
Silver (metal.).
Silver Economics of.
Genre:
History.
Physical Description:
xx, 340 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
Place of Publication:
Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [2019]
Summary:
This is the story of silver's transformation from soft money during the nineteenth century to hard asset today, and how manipulations of the white metal by American president Franklin D. Roosevelt during the 1930s and by the richest man in the world, Texas oil baron Nelson Bunker Hunt, during the 1970s altered the course of American and world history. FDR pumped up the price of silver to help jump start the U.S. economy during the Great Depression, but this move weakened China, which was then on the silver standard, and facilitated Japan's rise to power before World War II. Bunker Hunt went on a silver-buying spree during the 1970s to protect himself against inflation and triggered a financial crisis that left him bankrupt. Silver has been the preferred shelter against government defaults, political instability, and inflation for most people in the world because it is cheaper than gold. The white metal has been the place to hide when conventional investments sour, but it has also seduced sophisticated investors throughout the ages like a siren. This book explains how powerful figures, up to and including Warren Buffett, have come under silver's thrall, and how its history guides economic and political decisions in the twenty-first century.
Contents:
Chapter 1 Hamilton's Design p. 10
Chapter 2 Solving the Crime of 1873 p. 17
Chapter 3 Free Silver p. 27
Chapter 4 Seeds of Roosevelt's Manipulation p. 38
Chapter 5 FDR Promotes Silver p. 45
Chapter 6 Silver Subsidy p. 52
Chapter 7 China and America Collide p. 60
Chapter 8 Bombshell in Shanghai p. 71
Chapter 9 Silver Lining p. 90
Chapter 10 Costly Victory p. 99
Chapter 11 JFK's Double Cross p. 104
Chapter 12 LBJ Nails the Coffin Shut p. 119
Chapter 13 Psychiatrist's Meltdown p. 131
Chapter 14 Battle Lines p. 146
Chapter 15 Nelson Bunker Hunt p. 150
Chapter 16 Heavyweight Fight p. 165
Chapter 17 Saudi Connection p. 175
Chapter 18 Silver Soars p. 183
Chapter 19 Collapse p. 202
Chapter 20 The Trial p. 224
Chapter 21 Buffett's Manipulation? p. 236
Chapter 22 Message from Omaha p. 242
Chapter 23 The Past Informs the Future p. 249.
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references (pages [317]-325) and index.
ISBN:
9780691175386
0691175381
OCLC:
1032725653

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