Book Review: Mobs, Messiahs and Markets

Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets is a thorough and thought-provoking book that provides accurate history lessons, nuggets of common sense, and infinite market wisdom. I would consider it essential reading for practically everybody. It’s sort of like tuning into the history channel that’s sponsored by an independent network, free from the mindless mass media that controls television these days. The reason I say this is because it’s very clear the authors are anti-empires, Federal Reserve, and Government manipulation. They believe that free markets should be just that…free markets.

I knew I was going to be very intrigued by this book when they asked the following question on page one. What do Adolf Hitler and George Bush have in common? Why they're both World Improvers of course, whatever else could it be?

In fact, there is little difference between madmen, tyrants, and some world leaders. It all comes down to an issue of reform masked under the guise of improvements, which usually requires some type of persuasion, often accompanied by force. Notice how the reform in Iraq and Afghanistan is going these days and don’t forget to send flowers to the families who have lost loved ones in the process. But, of course, sacrifice is necessary for the betterment of all mankind and “we cannot kill terrorists as fast as the State Department can create them.”

There were times in the beginning of the book that I was shocked, almost appalled, when reading about the McMartin and Witchunt Trials, but the authors always had a plan when discussing such heady topics. Remember, “the country was in need of a boogeyman on which it could pin all its anxieties,” and the media is always there to tell you where to put the pin. It’s also wise to be aware that “freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.”

Part of me feels I that I received a more thorough history lesson from reading this book than from my public education, definitely more variety and culture. Everybody learns about Hitler, Alexander the Great, and Stalin, but I don’t remember learning much about Mao, Che, and Juan Peron. It’s all here, and tucked inside each history lesson is wisdom that if we don’t straighten up and learn from history we are doomed to repeat it.

If our Government truly wanted to stop the dismantling of the American Dream they had better pay attention to what the Argentine Government under Juan Peron did, and do the opposite. Instead, they seem to be following the exact same blueprint by “encouraging higher levels of consumption, higher spending for government, more regulation, huge new doses of debt, nationalism, price controls, inflation, and special treatment for favoured industries, particularly defense.” Nearly every single one of the above should resonate with any tax-paying voter who has seen his or her 401k cut in half. Sure the stock market seems to be recovering, but what’s going to happen when the reflation trade wears off?

In conclusion, this book will surprise you with how accurate the authors foresaw this recent economic demise. It was like I had already watched a movie and was now reading the manuscript and knew what was going to happen in the end. And there were a few stomach turning bits that I could have done without, but sometimes it takes a shock to the system to wake up the patient.

I measure how valuable a book is in my collection by how many times I highlight phrases or whole paragraphs. Let’s just say that I used up an entire highlighter during my reading and I plan on referencing this novel often as the insight offered here is invaluable.

Comments

[Delegal:]

I concur, it is a must read. While your at it also read "Empire of Debt" by William Bonner and Addison Wiggins.

Both of these books will help you formulate and investment strategy in these most difficult of times.

Jun 07 08:42 AM

[Edward Ulys...:]

I'm sure these are decent books on the subject. However, all one really needs to know is that sociopaths on both sides of a conflict, war or whatever, when stakes are truly high, are financed by the same folks for enormous profits. Peace is only profitable to the many. Conflicts are highly profitable to the few. That's why no president since 1913 has made any difference in the steady decline of the value of the dollar. Puppets come and go regularly; puppeteers change far less frequently. Good luck on formulating your investment strategy.

Jun 07 10:39 AM