ISBN1594201315

Greenspan's memoir is surprisingly readable, applicable, and enjoyable, even for someone with only an undergrad course in economics. This book is a great way to learn how the Fed works, as well as the motives behind major decisions made by Greenspan and other politicians during his career.
Highly recommended!

Too much of the criticism and accolades for Alan Greenspan's THE AGE OF TURBULENCE smell of political inflexibility. For those that don't like his negative comments regarding our current president, there seems to be a propensity to disregard 500 pages of historical economic perspective because one page doesn't read exactly how they would like. Others have claimed that Greenspan was only capable of considering conservative perspectives. As far as being self-serving - it is an autobiography. The reality is that there is a lot of useful and interesting information presented in this book. I would highly recommend this book, and ask that the reader leave their political presuppositions behind.

Some of the best books are written by people at a stage of their lives where they speak their mind... This is one of them. I didn't like everything he said but I like that he did say it.

It's mostly autobiographical. His choices, education, and worklife experiences make interesting reading.

He reviews the presidents he's worked with. Gives his opinons on growth and the world economy. Talks about politics and having to try to avoid saying anything that could be used by either political side. He makes a case for the FED to stay independent...

The last two chapters were hard to swallow. He talks about how inovation increased productivity, and it's the main driver for the last few years. He does not touch on the subject of stagnant wages or the levels of real income. Does not mention loose lending standards or how that may have goosed the economy... It raises the question as to if the events are too current and he can't say anything negative or was he really out of touch... I hope its the former. If it's the latter, he may be blamed for the credit crisis and it'll stick.

I guess he missed something here... Even if the government can balance the budget... What's to keep the banks from lending it all away and then the goverment having to pickup the tab??? Right?

It's a good book, well written, and he's an interesting character even though he's never been know as flashy...

Some good information from a Republican, like Iraq war was about oil. Like the Bush administration spent more money on earmarks in 6 years that we have spent in at least 20. So much for fiscal conservatives.

The Age of Turbulence is engaging, fascinating and educational. Watching Greenspan on television in the Senate Sub Committee meetings was interesting...but tough to know who the man behind the curtain was. This book opens the curtain and lets us see a motivated individual who is confident of his skills, but doesn't flaunt it.

In the first part of the book Alan Greenspan does an exceptional job of explaining what makes him tick and provides a peek into the world of the Fed Chairman. In the second part he talks about various parts of the world and spices it with a bit of crystal balling.

It is clear that Alan Greeenspan has strong Critical Thinking and Decision Making skills. He has been succeeded in many of his adventures. As with all humans he has his weaknesses as well. His honest candor in the book made it refreshing and useful.

There are some great topics in the book that let us get to know Alan Greenspan. Some of these are: City Kid, The Making of an Economist, Black Monday, The Fall of the Wall, Irrational Exuberance, Millennium Fever and Downturn. The second half of the book has equally excellent subjects: The Choices that Await China, The Tigers and the Elephant, Russia's Sharp Elbows, Latin America and Populism, Globalization and Regulation, The World Retires, Bit Can it Afford To, the Delphic Future an more.

Overall the book is insightful and a great read!

One final thought: I found that Age of Turbulence coupled with Revolutionary Wealth by Alvin and Heidi Toffler help to provide a look into possible futures and what we can do to make a great one for ourselves!

The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking