James Rickards
James Rickards is a widely celebrated author, investment banker, and financial commentator who has published several books that explore the intricate link between money, government, and the global economy. He is particularly well-known for his books Currency Wars and The Death of Money, which outline the devastating consequences of loose monetary policy and deregulated global financial markets.
Rickards was born in New York City in 1964 and graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in international economics. He immediately started a career in finance, working for several banks and investment firms before joining the New York investment company Long-Term Capital Management as a senior partner. There, he used his economics background to develop complex financial algorithms and international trading strategies.
Rickards is currently a portfolio manager and financial advisor to various high-net-worth clients. He has written six books on monetary policy and international finance, including The Death of Money, The New Case for Gold, Currency Wars, and The Road to Ruin. All four of these books have become essential tools for investors, bankers, and economic intelligentsia around the world.
In The Death of Money, Rickards examines the rampant financial uncertainty and instability that accompanies "fiat" money—that is, money that is not backed by any tangible commodity or asset. He argues that this kind of money carries an excessive risk of financial contagion and can contribute to hyperinflation. He proposes that citizens should invest in gold and other asset-backed currencies in order to protect themselves from currency collapses and other economic failings of fiat money.
In The New Case for Gold, Rickards explains why gold is still a viable asset for investors today. He shows how gold has maintained its purchasing power throughout history despite enduring the same market swings as stocks and other investments. Rickards goes on to outline how governments can use gold to ensure their currencies are less prone to drastic devaluations and panics.
Currency Wars is Rickards' exploration of the tumultuous global currency markets. He explains how governments interfere in these markets to gain economic advantages, hurting international trade and trust in the long run. He also outlines strategies and techniques that countries can use to minimize these economic war games and protect their economic interests.
Finally, in The Road to Ruin, Rickards details the chaotic and often reckless national economic policies implemented by governments around the world. He explains how governments manipulate monetary systems, while largely disregarding the long-term repercussions of such actions. He offers insight into the idea of global economic collapse and possible ways to avoid it.
James Rickards' works have become essential tools for modern economic understanding and thinking. By studying his theories on currency manipulation and asset-backed investments, readers can gain a better understanding of how our global economy works and how to protect against financial collapses caused by government mismanagement and irresponsible money policies.