The Moneymaker

09th May 2020

Janet Gleeson.

This non fiction follows the life of John Law in the early 18th century.  From early life in Scotland through gambling and womanising in London, then entering politicsin France. He has an acute understanding of money and risk. He introduces France to paper money and sets up an international trading company - Mississippi Company in the French colonies. He makes a fortune and many in the French population do too. But it is all a bubble with little underlying value.

This is an engaging tale and it amazes me how many bubbles and financial collapses there has been in human history.