21st Century Monetary Policy

The Federal Reserve from the Great Inflation to COVID-19

By: Ben S. Bernanke

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

A former chair of the Federal Reserve explains the transformation of one our most powerful and consequential institutions.

In response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Federal Reserve and central banks worldwide have deployed tools that past policymakers and economists might have considered radical. Programs like large-scale securities purchases and a new policy framework remain a source of confusion for investors, journalists, and ordinary citizens alike. Twenty-First Century Monetary Policy demystifies these opaque techniques to reveal how economic ideas, historical events, and political forces have transformed the Fed’s policies over several decades. From the stagflation of the 1970s to the Great Recession and the recent pandemic, Ben S. Bernanke masterfully examines how the Fed’s policies—and the institution itself—may change as it grapples with persistently low interest rates, systemic financial risk, rapid technological change, and polarized politics. With unparalleled depth of expertise and robust historical sweep, Twenty-First Century Monetary Policy is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding modern finance, investments, or U.S. economic policy.

©2022 Ben Bernanke (P)2022 Recorded Books

Outstanding analysis of 75 years of Fed policy

A readable, yet scholarly and essential recounting of the major and minor contributions the Fed has made to US financial stability since the Eisenhower years. Bernanke is both magisterial and approachable.

Good content

The content itself is great. When Bernanke speaks, we ought to listen. The performance was distracting admittedly. But generally satisfied with the purchase.

An American Perspective on 21st Century Monetary Policy

Bernanke is an educator and it shows in this work. You don’t need a PhD in Economics to read this book. He teaches you how the economy works and simultaneously gives you an overview of American economic history.

Most importantly, he explains central banking and it’s limitations.

His arguments are very logical and persuasive.

This work is not an exciting read like Liaquat Ahamed’s “Lords of Finance”. However, Bernanke definitely lightens the heavy reading with central banker jokes.

The reader’s voice was difficult for me to understand. I had to rewind many times.

Very tired narration

I couldn’t complete the book because of tired narration. It’s kinda start and stop. Hard to follow when talking about complex topics like monetary policy mechanisms.

Good info but the voice is dry

Good info but the voice is dry and hard for me to listen to for long periods of time.

Terrible narrator

The narrative absolutely ruined this book. I found myself drifting off and not focusing on the book subject matter. Lots of good stuff here but too much time spent on details and not enough on context. Combine that with the poor performance and it took me forever to get through this book.

Learn this book before trying to understand News

Captivating from start to finish. Historical development of what worked and what didnt. Whats Next?

horrible narration

I thought the narrator is drunken
words were murmured and couldn't understand what he spoke

Best monetary policy book ever

The author explains everything in context. All the instruments used by the Fed are explained and so are the economic and political events that created the need for them.

Academic and Dry

A thoughtful and comprehensive presentation of the history of the fed and monetary policy. Detailed descriptions of the actions and tools deployed during a variety of crisis from the 1970s to 2020. Understandable and detailed it is a great read for someone doing research on the Fed. Very academic. The reader was bone dry in his narration. Too detailed for someone looking for an overview on the Fed's role in our society over the past 50 years.