Popes and Bankers

This is a really interesting and informative book. So far I've learned why there is so much animosity between the Catholic Church and the Jews, and where it's from that the stereotype of Jews being, in general, very business savvy. I also seems that the adage "money makes the world go 'round" has some very real weight, which as the book points out is quite unfortunate. Though the book is from the economical and financial perspective it makes clear the relationship that finances and religion had in history and why we are lacking today in it's separation.

Well I finished the book. It was quite enlightening. By the end, I think the author was asserting that it was the lack of personal accountability and responsibility that led to the stock market crash and resulting recession and despair. The individual greed of everyday people (investors)fed into the greed of the corporate traders, lobbyists, and politicians.

The economic and political bigwigs acted as enablers to investors, and took advantage of the greed so salient in today's culture. It was the lack of an overarching set of morals and guidelines that allowed the people to act in selfish and greedy ways without restraint or thought to the consequences of the actions.

The book traces the disappearing relationship of religion on the actions of the economic movers and shakers in the world through time. Read this book and you will realize "in truth, it was a team effort. We all f***ed up. Government. Rating agencies. Wall Street. Commercial banks. Regulators. Investors. Everybody.", Cashill 'Popes & Bankers'2010.

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