Customer Reviews

Global Financial Warriors: The Untold Story of International Finance in the Post-9/11 World

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In Global Financial Warriors, John B. Taylor recounts the stories of his tenure as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs during the first term of the George W. Bush presidency (2001-2005). He shows how foreign policy consists of not just two but three pillars: political, military, and financial.

Professor Taylor occupied his post at the Treasury Department during an eventful time in history. In the book, he details the role of Treasury in the war on terrorism (including the global freezing of funding from al Qaeda and related terrorist groups, attempts to secure Turkey's cooperation in allowing coalition forces to enter Iraq from the north, the rebuilding of financial systems in Afghanistan and Iraq after the change in regime in those two countries), as well as the financial crisis in Argentina in 2001, attempts at reform at the IMF and at the World Bank, and exchange-rate policy negotiations with Japan and China.

Throughout, Mr. Taylor, already well known in academic and public-policy circles as a highly distinguished monetary economist, also emerges as a capable manager (examples: establish clear missions and form specialized teams to achieve those missions; subordinates are most effective when you tell them what to do but not how to do it). Incidentally, reading between the lines, so does President Bush.

What the book is not is yet another sensational score-settling political memoir. Instead, it is a highly informative insider's account of a diverse range of global financial events. The book persuasively illustrates how in the implementation of foreign policy, diplomatic, military, and financial aspects are all interrelated.

I just finished this book. I'm surprised I finished it. When I started it, I didn't think it would hold my attention, but it did. Taylor accomplished many important tasks during his tenure, most of which barely got mentioned in the news. If you have an interest in international finance, from creating a new currency in Iraq to adjusting the exchange rate for the Chinese Yuan, you will probably enjoy this book. Taylor is obviously a professional, and good at what he does. The tone of the book was a little off-putting for me - our brilliant and excellent leader, President Bush, tasked me with very important jobs, and somewhat to my surprise I was very good at excuting his orders. In spite of that recurring theme, I recommend this book.

This book is packed with detailed information about how the US has worked with the IMF, the World Bank, and other countries to combat financial crises and stabilize the global economy. You need an advanced degree in economics to fully understand it, but I found it interesting and enlightening.

"Global Financial Warriors" is John B. Taylor's compelling personal account of his five years as the Commanding General of the economic and financial troops fighting the War on Terror from his command center in Washington to the finance ministries and central banks of Kabul and Baghdad. This book reveals an exciting new facet of what used to be the dull and arcane world of international finance. It's essential reading for those wanting a behind-the-scene's look at the critical role of international finance in the War on Terror. Taylor's title is not just hype. Financial practitioners really have been transformed into warriors in the War on Terror.

John B. Taylor (a name destined to have a middle initial) was the appointee of President George W. Bush to American Treasury Undersecretary for International Affairs and this book is his account of his time in that position. The book provides an overview of the United States' participation in international finance from the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001 to Taylor's retirement in 2005.

Taylor recounts a solid and interesting body of facts concerning his tenure of office but over exposure to Powerpoint presentations has poisoned his prose style rendering his account of what should be exciting and engaging oftentimes bland.

The opening chapters deal with the period about the time of the infamous terrorist attacks and feature the obligatory stiff upper lip, hand to heart and wounded middle distance gaze against a background of a fluttering stars and stripes.

Taylor's descriptions throughout the book of his boss, George W. Bush, as intelligent and inspiring will puzzle readers who have ever seen or heard Mr. Bush and, given Taylor's intelligence, must be due to party loyalty or wilful blindness or both.

A non-American reader will be pained, if not surprised, by the book's account of how the United States issues orders to sovereign governments and supposedly international institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

Finally, Taylor's account of the success of his financial planning for post war Iraq brings to mind an estate agent standing outside a building that is burning to the ground, manically praising its wainscotting.

For those interested in international affairs or economics the book is worth buying because Taylor's story is unique, but it is far from objective and not very well told.

This is a well-written book on what should be a very interesting subject - one which fascinates me. But, frankly, I was not able to finish the book.

Wow, I am so glad that he has published this book because otherwise I personally was not going to learn about the exceptional and crucial work of this incredible man and expert. Thank you so much Mr. Taylor for your hard and dedicated work in favor of the US and the world. I am sure that many people will recognize and highly appreciate your work in the war against terror. Bravo and keep it up!