Keeping At It : The Quest for Sound Money and Good Government

The extraordinary life story of the former chairman of the Federal Reserve, whose absolute integrity provides the inspiration we need as our constitutional system and political tradition are being tested to the breaking point. As chairman of the Federal Reserve (1979-1987), Paul Volcker slayed the inflation dragon that was consuming the American economy and restored the world's faith in central bankers. That extraordinary feat was just one pivotal episode in a decades-long career serving six presidents. Told with wit, humor, and down-to-earth erudition, the narrative of Volcker's career illuminates the changes that have taken place in American life, government, and the economy since World War II. He vibrantly illustrates the crises he managed alongside the world's leading politicians, central bankers, and financiers. Yet he first found his model for competent and ethical governance in his father, the town manager of Teaneck, NJ, who instilled Volcker's dedication to absolute integrity and his "three verities" of stable prices, sound finance, and good government. As Chairman Of The Federal Reserve (1979-1987), Paul Volcker Slayed The Inflation Dragon That Was Consuming The American Economy And Restored The World's Faith In Central Bankers. That Extraordinary Feat Was Just One Pivotal Episode In A Decades-long Career Serving Six Presidents. His Insight Into World-changing Events Such As The End Of The Bretton Woods System, The Closing Of The 'gold Window,' And The Financial Crisis Of 2008 Provide Enduring Lessons About The Critical Importance Of Open, Disciplined, And Efficient Government. Told With Wit, Humor, And Down-to-earth Erudition, The Narrative Of Volcker's Career Illuminates The Changes That Have Taken Place In American Life, Government, And The Economy Since World War Ii. He Vibrantly Illustrates The Crises He Managed Alongside The World's Leading Politicians, Central Bankers, And Financiers. Yet He First Found His Model For Competent And Ethical Governance In His Father, The Town Manager Of Teaneck, Nj, Who Instilled Volcker's Dedication To Absolute Integrity And His Three Verities Of Stable Prices, Sound Finance, And Good Government.--dust Jacket. Introduction: The Wise Old Parrot -- Growing Up -- Getting An Education -- Early Experience -- Off To Washington -- The Best Job In The World -- Monetary Reform Frustrated -- Back To The Beginning -- Attacking Inflation -- Financial Crises, Domestic And International -- Unfinished Business : Repairing The Financial System -- After The Fed -- Mr. Chairman In Several Guises -- The Search For Integrity -- Setting Standards -- The New Financial World : Breakdown And Reform -- The Three Verities -- Epilogue: Credit Where Credit Is Due. Paul A. Volcker With Christine Harper. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 249-273) And Index. The extraordinary life story of the former chairman of the Federal Reserve, whose absolute integrity provides the inspiration we need as our constitutional system and political tradition are being tested to the breaking point. Paul Volcker has devoted his life's work to public service and the critical importance of open, disciplined and efficient government. As chairman of the Federal Reserve (1979-1987) he literally rescued the American economy from destroying itself, summoning the courage to take radical and controversial steps to slay the inflation dragon. And whenever the going got really tough—the financial crash of 2008, the need to reform banking, the oil for food UN scandal, the turmoil in Switzerland over theft of Holocaust victims, cheating in Major League Baseball—US presidents and other leaders said to "get Volcker in here to help me work this thing through." Told with wit, humor, and down-to-earth erudition, Volcker's memoir brings...