This account of the sophisticated financial hub that was 17th-century Amsterdam “does a fine job of bringing history to life” (Library Journal). The launch of the Dutch East India Company in 1602 initiated Amsterdam’s transformation from a regional market town into a dominant financial center. The Company introduced easily transferable shares, and within days buyers had begun to trade them. Soon the public was engaging in a variety of complex transactions, including forwards, futures, options, and bear raids, and by 1680 the techniques deployed in the Amsterdam market were as sophisticated as any we practice today. Lodewijk Petram’s award-winning history demystifies financial instruments by linking today’s products to yesterday’s innovations, tying the market’s operation to the behavior of individuals and the workings of the world around them. Traveling back in time, Petram visits the harbor and other places where merchants met to strike deals. He bears witness to the goings-on at a notary’s office and sits in on the consequential proceedings of a courtroom. He describes in detail the main players, investors, shady characters, speculators, and domestic servants and other ordinary folk, who all played a role in the development of the market and its crises. His history clarifies concerns that investors still struggle with today—such as fraud, the value of information, trust and the place of honor, managing diverging expectations, and balancing risk—and does so in a way that is vivid, relatable, and critical to understanding our contemporary world.

The Stock Exchange from Within by William C. Van Antwerp: A practical guide to understanding the workings of the stock exchange, "The Stock Exchange from Within" provides valuable insights into the principles and practices of successful buying and selling on Wall Street. Van Antwerp's work draws on financial expertise and market research to offer a comprehensive and accessible guide to understanding the complexities of stock exchange trading. Key Aspects of the Book "The Stock Exchange from Within": Financial Expertise: The book draws on financial expertise and market research to offer practical and evidence-based advice on understanding and participating in stock exchange trading. Comprehensive and Accessible: Van Antwerp's work is comprehensive and accessible, making it easy to understand and participate in stock exchange trading. Contextualization of Stock Exchange Trading: The book sheds light on the cultural and economic contexts of stock exchange trading, providing valuable insights into the ways in which social and political structures influence investment opportunities and strategies. William C. Van Antwerp was an American stockbroker and writer who lived in the 20th century. His works on stock exchange trading and investment strategies have contributed significantly to the field of financial planning and analysis.

Reproduction of the original.

Reproduction of the original.