Manias, Panics & Crashes: A History of Financial Crises

Still one of the best on financial market follies

I first read this book over three decades ago and found it so fascinating that I gave copies as gifts to friends and colleagues over the years. Since the start of the current market mania many books, some very good, have been written on the subject of financial manias. However, none of the authors have the breadth of academic and government experience as Kindleberger. This has been, and remains, one of the best books on the subject. The extensive bibliography covers both general and specific periods and events and allows one to focus on seminal works. This is a well balanced overview of not only the cycle of financial market manias, but also of human folly and the role of government intervention. I also recommend reading his books on the Great Depression and the Economic History of Europe.