The Federal Reserve: What Everyone Needs to Know®

The Federal Reserve System—the central bank of the United States, better known as The Fed—has never been more controversial. Criticism has reached such levels that Congressman Ron Paul, contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, published End the Fed, with blurbs from musician Arlo Guthrie and actor Vince Vaughn. And yet, amid a slow economy and partisan gridlock, the Fed has never been more important.

Stephen H. Axilrod explains this influential agency-its powers, operati...