A 1999 biography of Charles Merrill, the founder of the world's largest brokerage and investment firm.

The financial crisis that began in 2008 has made Americans keenly aware of the enormous impact Wall Street has on the economic well-being of the nation and its citizenry. How did financial markets and institutions-commonly perceived as marginal and elitist at the beginning of the twentieth century-come to be seen as the bedrock of American capitalism? How did stock investment-once considered disreputable and dangerous-first become a mass practice? Julia Ott tells the story of how, between the rise of giant industrial corporations and the Crash of 1929, the federal government, corporations, and financial institutions campaigned to universalize investment, with the goal of providing individual investors with a stake in the economy and the nation. As these distributors of stocks and bonds established a broad, national market for financial securities, they debated the distribution of economic power, the proper role of government, and the meaning of citizenship under modern capitalism. By 1929, the incidence of stock ownership had risen to engulf one quarter of American households in the looming financial disaster. Accordingly, the federal government assumed responsibility for protecting citizen-investors by regulating the financial securities markets. By recovering the forgotten history of this initial phase of mass investment and the issues surrounding it, Ott enriches and enlightens contemporary debates over economic reform.

In the long run, economies grow. Over the shorter-term business cycle, economic activity contracts and expands. From Main Street to Wall Street examines both the long-run relation between economic growth and stock returns and the shorter-term business-cycle relation. It examines the complex relationship between the economy and the stock market, and guides readers through the fascinating interaction between economic activity and financial markets. From Main Street to Wall Street draws heavily on data, supporting academic theories with empirical facts, and backing up arguments in intuitive ways. It discusses how investors can use knowledge of economic activity and financial markets to formulate expectations to future stock returns, and helps scholars and practitioners navigate financial markets by understanding the economy.

Main Street, Not Wall Street is the ultimate guide to using your hometown advantage to beat the market. John Rubino's commonsense approach helps you recognize and capitalize on up-and-coming local companies and investment opportunities, letting you make more money without ever leaving your neighborhood. The information you need is right here at your fingertips. To get you started, Main Street, Not Wall Streetincludes a priceless resource section listing over a thousand local brokers, local business to watch, local business journals, and more. With this book, you'll know just where to look - the ticket is beating Wall Street to the punch. Using real life examples, Rubino shows that when tomorrow's companies are born, their neighbors notice them first; local papers cover them and local brokers recommend their stocks. His step -by-step formula shows you how to turn what you see and what you hear into sound investment strategies. Main Street, Not Wall Street offers valuable tips on networking with locals in the know, finding and working with a local broker, evaluating the local journals, and using the internet to research new markets. Rubino outlines a definitive system for creating and managing a portfolio of emerging local companies to keep you in the game - and winning.

Here is a collection of 100 thought-provoking, hard-hitting essays that excite, inspire, and invigorate. With sly wit and profound irony, the essays explore the contradictions of African Americans, femenists, nationalists, conservatives, and others while diminishing cherished assumptions about American culture, gender, politics, and economics. Though many may not agree with the thesis of the book -- everything is economic -- the book will demand an audience as long as the gender gap exists, as long as people of color are perched at the periphery of our society's economic life, and as long as there is political disenfranchisement.

"A gem from one of the most brilliant minds in personal finance." — Ben Stein, author, actor, TV personality, and New York Times columnist In a financial world gone mad, you still need to manage your money, put your kids through college, and save for retirement. To the rescue comes Jonathan Clements with 21 easy-to-follow rules to help you secure your financial future. Clements has spent a quarter century demystifying Wall Street for ordinary, real people on Main Street, including more than thirteen years as the Wall Street Journal's hugely popular personal-finance columnist. In The Little Book of Main Street Money, Clements brings us back to basics, with commonsense suggestions for intelligent money management. Chock-full of financial guidance that will stand up in any market, the book also reflects a financial philosophy that Clements has developed over a lifetime of watching Wall Street and writing about money—and that is even more important in the current volatile market. From the big picture (home, retirement, financial happiness) to the micro (taxes, inflation, investment costs), he offers clear-cut advice for taking control of your financial life, detailing the strategies needed to thrive in today's tough economic times. The 21 truths outlined throughout this book are a guiding light for everyone, young and old, whether starting out or soon retiring. Each chapter reads like a Clements column—clear, pithy, and feisty. From the obvious to the counterintuitive, the truths will bolster your returns, cut your costs, and give you financial peace of mind. Collectively, the 21 truths show you how to think about your entire financial life—not just stocks and bonds, but your home, your debts, your financial promises to your children, your income-earning ability, and so much more. They will help you not only survive today's treacherous financial terrain, but also prepare you for success tomorrow. Renowned for his spirited writing and shrewd investment guidance, Clements is the sane voice investors need to stay grounded in the midst of so much financial insanity.

In our new book we show investors on Main Street how to make money by renting their stocks! That's right! Investors can actually "rent" stocks in their portfolios by trading covered call options. This conservative investment strategy allows investors to generate extra cash flow in their portfolios. The covered call options strategy is so safe, it is suitable for most retirement accounts. By the time you finish reading this book, you will agree that this conservative investment strategy is indeed bulletproof! ************************************* Ms. Mack has an extraordinary ability to explain complex financial subjects with the use of simple examples and analogies. The covered call strategy is one that can be taken advantage of by anyone who currently owns or is contemplating owning shares of most companies. Much higher earnings and returns are awarded to persons who astutely engage in this basic option strategy. --- Gustavo Ayala, Director of Power Trading, Bolt Energy A thorough review of the latest in sustainable financial innovation which seeks to protect a wider sector of the economy - including those historically ignored by more 'mainstream' finance - from unprecedented yet still rising risks facing investors, savers and institutions. Dr. Mack and her team have produced an impressive text which synthesizes a rarely detailed discussion of recent crises, established finance and strategy pedagogy, and a welcomed approach to offsetting said risks - all the while prudently seeking alpha. --- Pye Ian, MBA - Economic Analyst and Private Equity Investment Advisor Under current monetary policy paradigm, the authorities permanently convert someone's private failures into public debts thus transferring public wealth into private pockets at their choice. The whole debt pyramid is huge, drags the economy down but still growing. What can we do about that? Doctor Iris Mack and her graduate students team suggest to invest in ourselves, our knowledge & understanding, better family asset management practices and more sophisticated individual financial behavior. Spend your time on your training, the most practical approach is guaranteed. Surely, this will not work the next day, however, recall 'the rescue of drowning - the handiwork of drowning'. Just add this book to your personal Survival Kit. --- Alexei Kazakov, PhD - Former Hedge Fund Manager Dr. Mack has managed to demonstrate the link between economics and a powerful option strategy. Using numerous comparisons and visuals, this book is a must read for anyone who wants to take control of their financial future. Highly recommended for every business library. --- Michael C. Thomsett, PhD - Options Author and Educator Dr. Iris Mack�s book 'A Wall Street Bailout for Main Street' is a must read for anyone wishing to learn, generate extra income, and gain a fighting chance in the harsh Wall Street environment! It is written in such a friendly way that even a person with no experience in the topic can easily read it and understand it completely. Step by step the author takes you by the hand through a very precise trading strategy using great illustrations and exercises, making it easier to grasp even the more complex concepts. --- David Trevino Trevino, MBA - Investor Dr. Iris Mack has written a must-read primer for anyone who wants to survive and succeed in today's highly complex market. It's a great gateway to become a professional in investment and risk management. Any Main Street investor serious about making money ought to read it. --- Cheng Wang, MBA - former Energy Commodities Analyst of TechMotion Capital