Fiat Money Inflation in France: How a first world nation destroyed its economy and led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte

This little book tells the epic tale of France's experiment with "irredeemable" currency (paper money which could not be redeemed for specie; gold or silver, i.e. "cash") from 1789-1796, and its devastating impact, particularly on the working class and those sent to the guillotine for violating various and sundry laws. It should be required reading for every American, particularly congressmen and senators, for, although it was written almost one hundred years ago, the lessons it teaches are as applicable today as they have been all throughout man's history. It is obviously far too late for most nations to return to the gold standard, but this book also reveals the dangers inherent in a constantly and unlimited expansion of a nation's money supply. "Knowledge of the past," as Winston Churchill observed, "is the only foundation we have from which to peer into and measure the future." If so, the nations of the world ignore these lessons at their own peril, and so do their citizens. So, if you'd like to know what might be down the road apiece, hopefully a very far piece, this is a good place to start. And, even if you don't make the connection, it certainly is an interesting story.

The book is about the financial trouble that fiat (e.g.,paper) money created in France during the revolutionary years. It also states clearly that the people didn't learn enough from a lesson they had 70 years early. If you read this historical account you will very often wonder: 'Hey sounds familiar to me...'. Too bad - or?

Fiat Money Inflation in France is as much about irrational human behavior as it is about financial crises and runaway inflation. White describes a dissillusioned public who, under the influence of increasingly self-serving public officials and orators, accepted more and more assignant printings even though the perils of such printings had been documented throughout history and were then blatantly obvious right before there eyes.White presented this analysis of the runaway inflation in France to dissuade the US Government of printing its own paper money. He was successful. A book worth reading.

A clear presentation of a governments desparate move using cheap inflated paper money to pay off old debts and its effects on france around 1790. This is not a dynamic novel, but mind bombs go off as the author hits the chain of events that occurred when money is inflated, and is backed only by only a promise to pay the debt it represents. The French find themselves mired in a cycle of ever increasing difficulty to pay that debt off. Although it is not a novel and at times a bit dry, you will definitely be talking to your friends and family about what this author has to say and comparing it to what you see happening now.