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Alan Greenspan, as the head of the Federal Reserve, has been in an enviable position to witness the economic movements of the USA and the rest of the world.

The book is divided into two parts, the first one is a chronological biography, and the second one is his views on the challenges facing the USA and the rest of the world.

I was a bit disappointed with the publishing date of the book (it was published in 2007), as it was before the big global recession. I would have loved to read his views on the downturn, its causes, and his defence against the role he played in creating it, as a number of people have insinuated.
Also a result of having been published earlier, there are a number of views he expresses, with which I now do not agree. He might have changed his views, had he witnessed the huge problems created in the USA.

Some of the views and beliefs expressed in the book with which I disagree include:
1. The current account deficit of the USA may not matter much.
2. Hedge funds should not be regulated as they play an important role in stabilizing markets.
3. Banks can regulate themselves much better than regulators can.
4. Bank employees care for the shareholders, and so limit risk taking.
5. Credit derivatives and mortgage backed securities make markets more efficient and better.
6. Belief that regulation should restricted as much as possible.
7. Belief that bubbles should not be popped.
8. Belief that taking out home-equity loans was beneficial to the economy, and ignoring the risk of defaults.
9. His endorsement for CDS as a way to redistribute risk, but ignoring their use as speculative instruments.
10. Ignoring the risk of increased inter-linkages of financial institutions.

Overall, the biographical section is very interesting, as it provides an insider view on the politics and policy-making of various US governments.

The second section is a bit more general, where he outlines the problems, but refrains from clearly outlining workable solutions which could be implemented in order to overcome these problems.

I found this book to be a quick read, and would recommend it to anyone interested in understanding the workings of the federal reserve and the US government from a practical viewpoint.

"Mein russisches Abenteuter" ist ein Reisebericht, der uns in den Winter von Moskau, den Frühling von Petersburg und in den Sommer von Sibiren reisen lässt. Jens Mühling nimmt uns mit auf seine mehrmonatige Reise in das riesige Land. Er ist auf der Suche nach einer Einsiedlering, eine der letzten Altgläubigen, die in den Wäldern in Sibirien leben. Während der Suche erfahren wir viel über dieses Land, Vergangenes und Neues. Er berichtet über Tschernobyl, Lenin, den letzen Zaren, Rasputin, aber auch Menschen, die heute leben kommen zu Wort. Diese Reisebeschreibung wurde sehr gut recherchiert, ist lebendig geschrieben und das Wissen des Lesers wird erweitert. Ich glaube sogar, dem Autor ist es gelungen, die russische Seele einzufangen. Fazit: sehr zu empfehlen.

A true life book that I couldn't put down. I am starting to enjoy these kinds of books more and more. The books that tell a true story but reads likes an adventure. If you are interested in Hitler you will enjoy this book.

Haven't read the previous one written by Roxanne Witke, but I consider the book as a nice biography of one of the most powerful woman in China.

Excellent behind the scenes of the 1860 presidential election of Abraham Lincoln and the candidates who ran against them and were defeated. Lincoln chose them to serve in his Presidential Cabinet.