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Read addresses the contributions of significant individuals to our understanding of financial decisions and markets. Great financial theorists created the basis for what we now know as personal finance and this volume describes four great minds in finance that forever established the role of the rate of return and life cycle decision-making.

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Preface to the Great Minds in Finance Series Introduction A World before Fisher PART I: IRVING FISHER The Early Years The Times The Theory Applications Life and Legacy PART II: JOHN MAYNARD KEYNES The Early Years The Times The Theory Applications Life and Legacy PART III: FRANCO MODIGLIANI The Early Years The Times The Theory Applications The Nobel Prize, Life, and Legacy PART IV: MILTON FRIEDMAN The Early Years The Times The Theory Applications The Nobel Prize, Life, and Legacy PART V: WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED Combined Contributions Conclusions

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COLIN READ is Professor of Economics and Finance at SUNY College at Plattsburgh, USA, and a columnist for the Plattsburgh New York Press Republican newspaper. He has a Ph.D. in Economics, J.D. in Law, M.B.A., Master´s of Taxation, and has taught environmental and energy economics and finance for 25 years. Colin´s recent books include BP and the Macondo Spill: The Complete Story, The Fear Factor, Global Financial Meltdown: How We Can Avoid the Next Economic Crisis, The Rise and Fall of an Economic Empire: With Lessons for Aspiring Nations, and a book on international taxation. He has written dozens of papers on market failure, volatility, and housing markets, writes a weekly newspaper column, and appears monthly on a local PBS television show to discuss the regional and national economy.

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