Preface

Shortly after the writing of this book's first edition, the U.S. economy was shaken by a catastrophic economic crisis, the likes of which had not been seen since the Hoover administration. A multitude of factors combined to cause falling stock markets, rising unemployment, and a general angst among the American public, who watched as once-iconic firms faded into history. Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns were dissolved. Merrill Lynch sold itself to Bank of America for roughly one half of its prior year value. AIG sought billions from the federal government to preserve solvency. Industrial icons General Motors and Chrysler filed for bankruptcy. America's disease soon evolved into a worldwide pandemic, crippling economies that, three years la....