Freaks of fortune : the emerging world of capitalism and risk in America / Jonathan Levy.

Author/creator Levy, Jonathan, 1978-
Format Book
Publication InfoCambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 2012.
Description351 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
Subjects
Capitalism--United States. --History. --19th century.
Risk--Sociological aspects. --History. --19th century.
Risk-taking (Psychology)--United States. --History. --19th century.
United States--Economic conditions. --19th century.
United States--Social conditions. --19th century.

Contents The assumption of risk -- The perils of the seas -- The actuarial science of freedom -- The failure of the freedman's bank -- Betting the farm -- Fraternity in the age of capital -- Trading the future -- The trust question.
Abstract Amid the nineteenth-century's waning faith in God's providence, Americans increasingly confronted unanticipated challenges to their independence and security in the boom and bust chance-world of capitalism. Freaks of Fortune is one of the first books to excavate the historical origins of our own financialized times and risk-defined lives."--pub. desc.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references and index.
LCCN 2012014805
ISBN9780674047488 (alk. paper)
ISBN0674047486 (alk. paper)

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Joyner General Stacks HC105 .L48 2012 ✔ Available Place Hold