Ray's Reviews > The Summit: Bretton Woods, 1944: J. M. Keynes and the Reshaping of the Global Economy

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook "The Summit: Bretton Woods, 1944: J.M.Keynes and the Reshaping of the Global Economy" for it's historical perspective. I'd heard of Bretton Woods before, but wouldn't have been able to describe it's details to anyone. So learning a little more about the economic conference, it's purpose, the key players, especially British Economist John Maynard Keynes and American Harry Dexter White, was worthwhile. I also hadn't realized that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were founded at Bretton Woods.

Being able to put such a conference together while still in the midst of the Second World War, and being able to anticipate the steps required for an encompassing post-war recovery was a remarkable feat. And finding a path to agreement with the various nations and interests involved, showed the amazing skill and leadership of the likes of Keynes and White, and among the other participants as well.

On the down side, try as I might, my brain appears to be incapable of comprehending the technical details of international economic theory. It's just a subject that doesn't grab me, so I know I don't give the subject a fair try. I'm sure most readers appreciate the author's discussions of the pros and cons of being on the gold standard as opposed to having fixed or floating monetary exchange rates. How those combinations impact one Country's trade, unemployment or job growth, inflation or deflation, recessions or depressions, etc. escapes me, but may be obvious to most readers, who may well enjoy this book for those discussions alone. Failing to appreciate that aspect of the book is my personal limitation, not necessarily a limitation of the book.