Man vs. Markets

Man Vs. Markets by Paddy Hirsch of NPR’s “Marketplace” is economics explained, pure and simple, for the layperson who wouldn’t know a “bond” from an “option,” and who believes that a “future” is when we’ll all have flying cars. Here is an illuminating, insightful, and wonderfully witty journey of discovery through the often confusing financial markets, offering clear, relatable explanations and definitions of the system’s various instruments, yet less simplistically than the popular ...for Dummies series. Man Vs. Markets is a must-read handbook for everyday investors, serious students of finance and economics, and everyone who wants to understand what they’re reading when they open their newspapers to the business section.

This straightforward guide demystifies the world of finance, breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand concepts:

• Economics for Beginners: Finally understand terms like stocks, bonds, and futures with witty, relatable explanations that are insightful without being oversimplified.
• The Banking System: Discover how money really works, from the role of the Fed and the Treasury to the truth about consumer debt and the shadow banking system.
• Understanding Derivatives: Tackle intimidating topics like swaps, options, and securitization through clear, simple analogies that reveal how these instruments truly function.
• Financial Literacy: Gain the confidence to read the business section of any newspaper and grasp the real-world impact of market movements.