In fact, it's still that way today but admittedly, I do now share his voracity for studying history. The market, of course. It's a fascinating read. From Wall Street's beginnings as a Dutch influenced trading post to the super power it is today, Gordon has recounted many interesting tales and brought numerous characters back to life. My dad taught me that if one would learn about historical events, he could foretell future events.
History repeats itself.
It captures the very real and persistent frailties and lessons of a trader. When you read contemporary accounts of booms or panics, the one thing that strikes you most forcibly is how little either stock speculation or stock speculators today differ from yesterday. The game does not change and neither does human nature. And that is why markets are susceptible to bubbles and panics, booms and busts. People make up the markets and peoples' emotions, greed and fear surface again and again in the market.