Laurence H. Meyer

An Insider’s Look at Interesting Times
As a Federal Reserve Board Governor from 1996 to 2002, Laurence Meyer played an active role in forming economic policy for the United States.

Serving during one of the wildest and most tumultuous times in our recent history, he offers an insider’s view of life at the Fed. Appointed by President Clinton in 1996 to a partial term, Dr. Meyers witnessed the Fed’s reaction to “the new economy,” “irrational exuberance,” the Asian financial crisis, the Russian Default, the collapse of Long-Term Capital Management, the bursting American Stock Bubble and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

In a well-written and readable book, Meyer re-lives the Fed’s closed-door debates on these matters. He gracefully weaves issues with anecdotes about the people involved. The reader is transported behind the closed doors of the Fed and into the meeting room where policy matters are made.

Personally, I was surprised at the quality and formality that debates on issues the Fed’s agenda assumed. Having become accustomed to the “pin everything on the other party” approach taken by Congress, I was shocked that monetary debates continue to assume an academic air.

Meyer, who is the first former fed member to pen a book about his experiences, has provided fed watchers with an extraordinary look into a fascinating period of our economic history. It is well-worth reading.… (plus d'informations)