As Jeff Madrick makes clear, the single-minded pursuit of huge personal wealth has been on the rise in the United States since the 1970s, led by a few individuals who argue that self-interest guides society more effectively than community concerns. In telling the stories of these politicians,...

The centrality of finance -- Financialization and social structures of accumulation -- Realism in financial economics -- The shadow of the financial system -- The coming apart -- Rescue and the limits of reform -- Nations, globalization, and financialization -- The present in history