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Financial Crisis
See also: Business & Finance and Help in Hard Times
Bailouts, stimulus packages, Toxic Assets. What does it all mean, and what causes these things to happen? Make some sense of the financial crisis with these resources. Explore the history of this crisis and others, decipher the jargon, or find financial assistance.
Selected Books
Bernstein, Jared
Crunch: Why Do I Feel So Squeezed? (and Other Unsolved Economic Mysteries)
HC106.83.B472 2008
Do you want to learn more about economics so you can understand the present financial crisis better?
Crunch: Why Do I Feel So Squeezed? (and Other Unsolved Economic Mysteries)
HC106.83.B472 2008
Do you want to learn more about economics so you can understand the present financial crisis better?
Bonner, William And Addison Wiggin
Empire Of Debt: The Rise Of An Epic Financial Crisis
HB3722.B658 2006
Authors of the Daily Reckoning, Bonner and Wiggin feel the growing indebtedness of Americans and the U.S. economy will lead to the demise of the U.S. empire.
Empire Of Debt: The Rise Of An Epic Financial Crisis
HB3722.B658 2006
Authors of the Daily Reckoning, Bonner and Wiggin feel the growing indebtedness of Americans and the U.S. economy will lead to the demise of the U.S. empire.
Gramlich, Edward
Subprime Mortgages: America's Latest Boom and Bust
HG2040.5.U6 G73 2007
What is the subprime mortgage market? What does it have to do with the current financial crisis? Gramlich offers an analysis of subprime lending, and discusses options for its reform.
Subprime Mortgages: America's Latest Boom and Bust
HG2040.5.U6 G73 2007
What is the subprime mortgage market? What does it have to do with the current financial crisis? Gramlich offers an analysis of subprime lending, and discusses options for its reform.
James, Harold
The End of Globalization: Lessons from the Great Depression
HF1359.J36 2001
James, a history professor at Princeton University, brings historical perspective to globalization by viewing the Great Depression as a period when globalism collapsed. He sees parallels in today's economies: highly integrated systems are inherently vulnerable to collapse, and world financial markets are vulnerable and unstable.
The End of Globalization: Lessons from the Great Depression
HF1359.J36 2001
James, a history professor at Princeton University, brings historical perspective to globalization by viewing the Great Depression as a period when globalism collapsed. He sees parallels in today's economies: highly integrated systems are inherently vulnerable to collapse, and world financial markets are vulnerable and unstable.
Kansas, Dave
The Wall Street Journal Guide to the End of Wall Street as We Know It: What You Need To Know About the Greatest Financial Crisis of Our Time-and How to Survive It
HG4910.K335 2009x
This book gives an overview of the events leading to the current financial crisis, an analysis of the government's role, and strategies individuals can take to inform and protect themselves.
The Wall Street Journal Guide to the End of Wall Street as We Know It: What You Need To Know About the Greatest Financial Crisis of Our Time-and How to Survive It
HG4910.K335 2009x
This book gives an overview of the events leading to the current financial crisis, an analysis of the government's role, and strategies individuals can take to inform and protect themselves.
Kindleberger, Charles Poor and Robert Z. Aliber
Manias, Panics And Crashes: A History Of Financial Crises
HB3722.K56 2005
The 5th edition of this classic analysis advises governments to "Always come to the rescue, in order to prevent needless deflation, but always leave it uncertain whether rescue will arrive on time or at all, so as to instill caution in other speculators, banks, cities, or countries." The 4th edition is available as a downloadable audiobook (requires a library card).
Manias, Panics And Crashes: A History Of Financial Crises
HB3722.K56 2005
The 5th edition of this classic analysis advises governments to "Always come to the rescue, in order to prevent needless deflation, but always leave it uncertain whether rescue will arrive on time or at all, so as to instill caution in other speculators, banks, cities, or countries." The 4th edition is available as a downloadable audiobook (requires a library card).
Krugman, Paul R.
The Return of Depression Economics
HB3716.K76 1999
In this book, Krugman, the 2008 Nobel Prize winner in Economics, concludes that a Great Depression could happen again.
The Return of Depression Economics
HB3716.K76 1999
In this book, Krugman, the 2008 Nobel Prize winner in Economics, concludes that a Great Depression could happen again.
Kuttner, Robert
The Squandering of America: How the Failure of Our Politics Undermines Our Prosperity
HC106.83.K88 2007
As the income of most Americans has remained static or declined and as housing and healthcare costs have soared, the wealth of America has become increasingly concentrated in the hands of a financial and political elite who blocks the ability of government to restore broad prosperity to the majority of citizens.
The Squandering of America: How the Failure of Our Politics Undermines Our Prosperity
HC106.83.K88 2007
As the income of most Americans has remained static or declined and as housing and healthcare costs have soared, the wealth of America has become increasingly concentrated in the hands of a financial and political elite who blocks the ability of government to restore broad prosperity to the majority of citizens.
Lewis, Michael
Panic: The Story of Modern Financial Insanity
HB3722.P36 2009
Panic examines five recent financial crises, from the stock market crash of 1987 to the subprime lending crisis. Lewis discusses how each event was viewed at the time and what we've learned in hindsight.
Panic: The Story of Modern Financial Insanity
HB3722.P36 2009
Panic examines five recent financial crises, from the stock market crash of 1987 to the subprime lending crisis. Lewis discusses how each event was viewed at the time and what we've learned in hindsight.
Michaelson, Adam
The Foreclosure of America: The Inside Story of the Rise and Fall of Countrywide Home Loans, the Mortgage Crisis, and the Default of the American Dream
HG5095.M53 2009
Michaelson, a former Senior VP of Marketing at Countrywide Home Loans, brings his insider's view to this examination of the mortgage crisis.
The Foreclosure of America: The Inside Story of the Rise and Fall of Countrywide Home Loans, the Mortgage Crisis, and the Default of the American Dream
HG5095.M53 2009
Michaelson, a former Senior VP of Marketing at Countrywide Home Loans, brings his insider's view to this examination of the mortgage crisis.
Morris, Charles
The Trillion Dollar Meltdown: Easy Money, High Rollers, and the Great Credit Crash
HG4910.M667 2008
In this book, Charles Morris predicted market turmoil caused by subprime mortgages and Wall Street greed.
The Trillion Dollar Meltdown: Easy Money, High Rollers, and the Great Credit Crash
HG4910.M667 2008
In this book, Charles Morris predicted market turmoil caused by subprime mortgages and Wall Street greed.
Muolo, Paul and Matthew Padilla
Chain of Blame: How Wall Street Caused the Mortgage and Credit Crisis
HG5095.M86 2008
Two financial reporters attempt to pin down who is really responsible for the current financial crisis by examining the role that Wall Street executives played.
Chain of Blame: How Wall Street Caused the Mortgage and Credit Crisis
HG5095.M86 2008
Two financial reporters attempt to pin down who is really responsible for the current financial crisis by examining the role that Wall Street executives played.
Phillips, Kevin P.
American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century
E902.P47 2006
From ancient Rome to the British Empire, Phillips demonstrates that every world-dominating power has been brought down by a related set of causes: a lethal combination of global overreach, militant religion, resource problems, and ballooning debt.
American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century
E902.P47 2006
From ancient Rome to the British Empire, Phillips demonstrates that every world-dominating power has been brought down by a related set of causes: a lethal combination of global overreach, militant religion, resource problems, and ballooning debt.
Phillips, Kevin P.
Bad Money: Reckless Finance, Failed Politics, and the Global Crisis of American Capitalism
HC106.7.P52 2008
Kevin Phillips cautions against the current financial practices of American capitalism and explains why they are bringing about an economic downfall.
Bad Money: Reckless Finance, Failed Politics, and the Global Crisis of American Capitalism
HC106.7.P52 2008
Kevin Phillips cautions against the current financial practices of American capitalism and explains why they are bringing about an economic downfall.
Schiff, Peter
Crash Proof: How to Profit from the Coming Economic Collapse
HC106.83.S35 2007
Schiff warned of a coming crisis in this book and suggested how consumers could protect themselves.
Crash Proof: How to Profit from the Coming Economic Collapse
HC106.83.S35 2007
Schiff warned of a coming crisis in this book and suggested how consumers could protect themselves.
Shiller, Robert J.
The Subprime Solution: How Today's Global Financial Crisis Happened, And What To Do About It
HG2040.15.S45 2008
Best-selling economist Robert Shiller reveals the origins of the subprime mortgage crisis and puts forward bold measures to solve it, calling for a restructuring of the institutional foundations of the financial system.
The Subprime Solution: How Today's Global Financial Crisis Happened, And What To Do About It
HG2040.15.S45 2008
Best-selling economist Robert Shiller reveals the origins of the subprime mortgage crisis and puts forward bold measures to solve it, calling for a restructuring of the institutional foundations of the financial system.
Smick, David
The World is Curved: Hidden Dangers to the Global Economy
HG3881.S5397 2008
David Smick cited the mortgage crisis as an early indicator of further problems ahead.
The World is Curved: Hidden Dangers to the Global Economy
HG3881.S5397 2008
David Smick cited the mortgage crisis as an early indicator of further problems ahead.
Soros, George
The New Paradigm For Financial Markets: The Credit Crisis Of 2008 And What It Means
HB3722.S673 2008
George Soros feels that the dominant ideology that holds that markets are self-correcting is wrong; that it has been the government that saves the markets when they get into trouble.
The New Paradigm For Financial Markets: The Credit Crisis Of 2008 And What It Means
HB3722.S673 2008
George Soros feels that the dominant ideology that holds that markets are self-correcting is wrong; that it has been the government that saves the markets when they get into trouble.
Zandi, Mark M.
Financial Shock: A 360° Look at the Subprime Mortgage Implosion, and How to Avoid the Next Financial Crisis
HG2040.5.U5 Z36 2009
Zandi explains in plain English the history of the subprime crisis and its causes.
Financial Shock: A 360° Look at the Subprime Mortgage Implosion, and How to Avoid the Next Financial Crisis
HG2040.5.U5 Z36 2009
Zandi explains in plain English the history of the subprime crisis and its causes.
Return to the topVideos
In Debt We Trust
HG3729.U62 I525 2007x
This film explores how credit card companies are thriving while Americans get deeper and deeper into debt.
HG3729.U62 I525 2007x
This film explores how credit card companies are thriving while Americans get deeper and deeper into debt.
Maxed Out
HG3756.U54 M329 2007x
James Scurlock, the author of Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit, and the Era of Predatory Lenders, directs this documentary that takes an in depth look at America's debt crisis.
HG3756.U54 M329 2007x
James Scurlock, the author of Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit, and the Era of Predatory Lenders, directs this documentary that takes an in depth look at America's debt crisis.
Web Sites
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Baseline Scenario: Financial Crisis for Beginners
This blog by three economists offers basic explanations for the rest of us, or links to other sites with basic explanations, about how the financial crisis occurred. -
BBC: The Layman's Finance Crisis Glossary
A BBC primer on financial jargon. -
Bloomberg.com
Check out their "special reports" section for the Crisis on Wall Street. -
Bureau of Labor Statistics
The numbers that move the markets. Look at the menu choices on the right side for reports including Consumer Price Index (CPI), Unemployment Rate. Average Hourly Earnings, Producer Price Index (PPI), and Productivity. -
Frontline's Inside the Meltdown
The Frontline episode that looks at the evolution of the global financial crisis. You can watch the full program online. -
History News Network Hot Topics: Financial Meltdown
HNN has collected articles from historians and economists about the current financial crisis. -
Money Central
MSN's Money Central has the usual stock quotes but also a very good consumer component with advice for the man on the street about how to make money, keep it or lose less and grow it. -
New York Times: Business
You might also like to read their special series: Age of Riches, which examines the effects of the growing concentration of wealth; and The Debt Trap, a series about the surge in consumer debt and the lenders who made it possible. -
NPR: Planet Money
Planet Money is a multimedia team covering the global economy. You can get news from Planet Money by podcast, email newsletter, RSS feed and simply by visiting their blog. -
PBS NewsHour's Coverage of the Crisis
Coverage of the financial crisis from PBS' NewsHour. -
Pitt Business Faculty in Economic Crisis Coverage
A list of local news articles in which Pitt Business faculty weigh in on the financial crisis. -
Recovery.gov
What does the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that passed on February 13, 2009 really mean? This web site tracks how the money is being distributed, provides a timeline of events, and provides information on state-by-state progress. -
RGE - Nouriel Roubini's Global EconoMonitor
As the UK's Sunday Times put it: "Dubbed Dr Doom for his gloomy views, this lugubrious disciple of the "dismal science" is now the world’s most in-demand economist." Don't look here for upbeat predictions. -
This American Life: The Giant Pool of Money
This episode of NPR's show This American Life talks to people who work in the banking, mortgage, and housing industries to tell the story of how the U.S. got into a financial crisis. -
Timeline: Global Credit Crunch
The BBC timeline of the global credit crisis -
USA Today: Money
The latest news on banking, the economy, and personal finance. -
The Wall Street Journal: The Financial Crisis
This page aggregates their full coverage of the financial crisis. (Some articles will require a subscription to the online edition of the Journal.) -
Washington Post: U.S. Economy
The latest business news as it relates to the U.S. economy.
Pittsburgh Region
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You Control Your Money
If you are having money problems or know of someone who is, the members of the Financial Education Consortium of Southwestern Pennsylvania are there to help.
