The Real Crash: America's Coming Bankruptcy - How to Save Yourself and Your Country

Peter Schiff offers a detailed and devastating criticism of the Fed and the federal government. He makes a compelling argument that the federal government has expanded far beyond the Constitutional limits. He also makes a convincing case that the fiscal path our country is on is unsustainable and may lead to a financial crash more devastating than 2008.

Schiff also lays out an alternative path for the country; a path in which a far smaller federal government stays out of our lives, and where individuals have the freedom to lead their own lives and to take responsibility for their future. The responsibility for taking care of the poor and infirm is returned, as it had existed for centuries, to local governments and churches and charitable institutions. As Schiff points out, this alternative vision for America is not new; it is what the country was before the Fed, the New Deal, and the ever increasing expansion of the federal government.

Schiff also offers compromise proposals, which he deems more politically achievable. The alternative vision would, in general, decrease the size of the federal government and gradually phase out government transfer programs, using means testing as an interim measure.

Essentially, Schiff presents a Libertarian view of what the country should be. Libertarian philosophy generally offends Democrats (because it would shrink the federal government substantially) and certain elements of the Republican Party (less government interference means legalizing drugs and a less aggressive military). However, it has the virtue of at least being consistent (less government in every aspect of our lives) while the current parties each support an expanding federal government (and greater intrusion) one way or the other.

Schiff's book lays out the Libertarian case in detail. The book is important because many people really do not understand Libertarian philosophy, although many clearly agree with at least substantial parts of it.

One cautionary note: The book does NOT lay out in any detail how to invest for or protect yourself from the crash Schiff is certain is coming. He summarizes his views in one chapter. Those looking for investment advice should read Schiff's other books. The title is misleading in this respect.

I usually prefer audible books but the narrator in this one was really bad. He was too dramatic and did not have tone that was easy to listen to. This is a very serious book; he made it sound like a comedy. Sure, the writer has some comic relief written in, but the narrator attempts to add to it with his tone and it's an epic fail.

I think the publisher should have the book re-recorded.

It has EXCELLENT content, we shouldn't be robbed of the priviledge of hearing that content read well.

Well written and performed and very very very interesting.

The solutions proposed make very good sense...the bit that's missing is how to get from here (where we are now) to there (Implementing the Author's proposals)...without a complete breakdown of society.

This text should be studied in all high school economic classes and should be compulsory reading for all that want western societies to flourish again.

The Real Crash is one of the best economic books I have listened to. The topic is current and will stay current until one of two things happen: We address the problems discussed with solutions that are suggested, or We Crash.

Peter Schiff does not just lay blame on players in our economic crisis. He offers real understandings and real solutions that if we are honest with ourselves, we know we must do.

Even better, he offers a series of solutions that might be described as good, better and best. That is something politicians stay as far from as possible.

Schiff, on the other hand, speaks clearly and concisely. He will not be backtracking from his statements in the future because he knows how things work and more importantly why they work in our economy.

This book was compelling enough to listen to as quickly as I could. There are sections I even repeated, taking notes, and making investment plans for the future.

This book should be required reading or listening for any candidate you are considering voting for in the upcoming elections.

As we seem to be compounding our mistakes, if even a few officials begin to realize the truth included in this book, we could probably not avoid the coming crash, but we could minimalize it's impact on America, and come out stronger in the long run.

The Real Crash is one of the better books I have listened to about the US economy. It takes the listener through history arriving at our current state of the economy and our country on a whole.

End The Fed
The Return of the Great Depression

History of Income Tax
How to profit during the real crash.

Should be required reading for all politicians and voters. No matter which party you support we need to come togther and bring back the guiding principles our framers laid out.

It is in the top 20 percent.

How to Prepare for the Worst

Needs more advice for people who cannot afford to put gold in an Australia bank box.

The book is well organized, insightful, and entertaining. The book was performed poorly overall, so my time would have been better spent reading it.

His voice is clear, and his pronunciation is good.

Absolutely not. He reads without emotion, as if he is in front of a 3rd grade social science class. He does not understand, or care about the material he is reading. He seems to apply random inflection to words which he's too distracted to bother to read.

The story is worth it. But I'd recommend buying the non-audio version of the book.

No, to much about Schiff's political views.

Perhaps

N/A

No.

Lets save some time for you...

1. Buy Gold
2. Schiff thinks he has the answer to our political problems and wants to be in government office.
3. Don't count on any government programs to be there for you in the future.
4. We are going to have a currency war in the future.
5. Government regulation is killing the economy.

....now that I saved you the cost of the book and time to listen to it, go download something that is actually helpful. At least the narrator is good.

Amazing analysis of economic environment. Learned a lot of about Government and economics and the dance between them. Peter Schiff dissected the sound theory of economics and exposed the hidden dangers when Government takes control of the economic environment.

The first half was very interesting and a great summary of recent financial history. The 2nd half...meh, too political and preachy for my liking.

Still worth a listen.