Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets

Foreword

Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets by Bill Bonner and Lila Rajiva will never earn a Nobel Prize in economics. Why? Because this book is highly readable, makes sense, and does not contain the usual incomprehensible mumbo jumbo one finds in other financial and economic books. Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets makes very complex economic, social, and geopolitical issues understandable to normal people like you and me. What Barbara Tuchman did by writing informative and absorbing history books, Bonner and Rajiva do with this highly entertaining book written for the general public to help people understand politics and finance.

But who would have the time to read this close‐to 400 page book? These days, most people are happy to gain knowledge and become informed about everything everywhere in the world from 30‐second shots on TV news channels! Still, in my opinion they would be making a grave error if they did not find the time to read Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets.

Here is why. Books should be read for one or both of two reasons. Since reading is physically and mentally rather demanding, I obviously want to read a book that is informative, increases my knowledge, and is thought provoking. Otherwise, why bother? The other reason I would want to read a book is for pure enjoyment. Either the authors capture my attention through the complex plot of a thriller or a tragic drama or they do it through their superb command of the English language and their ability to make me laugh.

Well, I read ...