A leading economic historian presents a new history of financial crises, showing how some led to greater globalization while others kept nations apart
Harold James Book order
Harold James is a professor of history and international affairs, specializing in European studies. His work examines pivotal historical events and their impact on contemporary Europe. He delves into the political and economic forces that have shaped the continent. His expertise lies in a profound understanding of European integration and nationalism.






- 2023
- 2021
A timely call for recovering the true meanings of the nineteenth-century terms that are hobbling current political debates
- 2020
Financial Innovation, Regulation and Crises in History
- 192 pages
- 7 hours of reading
Exploring the evolution of financial institutions and markets, this volume features insights from prominent figures like Niall Ferguson and Adair Turner. It examines historical pressures faced by these entities and the subsequent regulatory responses, providing a comprehensive analysis of the interactions between finance and regulation throughout history.
- 2019
Focusing on the tumultuous period from the First World War to the present, the book examines the complex interplay of economic growth and political turmoil in Europe. It features case studies, illustrations, and chronologies that enhance understanding, making it an ideal resource for students exploring Modern European History. An annotated bibliography further supports its educational value, providing a comprehensive overview of this significant era.
- 2014
Making the European Monetary Union
- 592 pages
- 21 hours of reading
Europe's financial crisis cannot be blamed on the Euro, Harold James contends in this probing exploration of the whys, whens, whos, and what-ifs of European monetary union. The current crisis goes deeper, to a series of problems that were debated but not resolved at the time of the Euro's invention
- 2012
"Tells the story of the Krupp family and its industrial empire between the early nineteenth century and the present, and analyzes its transition from a family business to one owned by a non-profit foundation. Krupp founded a small steel mill in 1811, which established the basis for one of the largest and most important companies in the world by the end of the century. Famously loyal to its highly paid workers, it rejected an exclusive focus on profit, but the company also played a central role in the armament of Nazi Germany and the firm's head was convicted as a war criminal at Nuremberg. Yet after the war Krupp managed to rebuild itself and become a symbol of Germany once again -- this time open, economically successful, and socially responsible" -- Publisher's description.
- 2008
The Roman Predicament
How the Rules of International Order Create the Politics of Empire
- 176 pages
- 7 hours of reading
The book offers a nuanced examination of American empire, drawing insightful parallels between Edward Gibbon's analysis of Rome's decline and contemporary challenges faced by the United States. Harold James employs a sophisticated and scholarly approach, making complex historical connections that provide a deeper understanding of the current geopolitical landscape. This unique perspective sets the work apart in the crowded field of literature on American imperialism.
- 2006
The Deutsche Bank and the Nazi Economic War Against the Jews
The Expropriation of Jewish-Owned Property
- 284 pages
- 10 hours of reading
The examination of Deutsche Bank reveals its significant involvement in the expropriation of Jewish-owned businesses during the Nazi regime, extending beyond Germany to occupied territories. Utilizing newly available records, Harold James challenges the conventional view of profit-driven motives, exploring deeper motivations behind the bank's complicity in the economic persecution of Jews. This unique perspective positions the work as a critical analysis of a single institution's role in the Holocaust, enriched by James' extensive background in economic history.
- 2004
The Nazi dictatorship and the Deutsche Bank
- 296 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Examines the role of Deutsche Bank, Germany's largest commercial bank, during the Nazi dictatorship, and asks how the bank changed and accommodated to a transition from democracy and a market economy to dictatorship and a planned economy. Set against the background of the world depression and the German banking crisis of 1931, the book looks at the restructuring of German banking and offers material on the bank's expansion in central and eastern Europe. As well as summarizing recent research on the bank's controversial role in gold transactions and the financing of the construction of Auschwitz, the book also examines the role played by particular personalities in the development of the bank, such as Emil Georg von Strauss and Hermann Abs.