Who Shot Goldilocks?: How Alan Greenspan Did in Our Jobs, Savings, and Retirement Plans [Hardcover]

William Rutherford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0975310402 | ISBN-13: 978-0975310403 | Edition: Revised

The Goldilocks economy was the longest economic expansion in post war history - not too hot... not too cold... just right! Then, seemingly without reason it came to a crashing halt. Two and a half million working Americans lost their jobs, seven and one-half trillion in savings was destroyed. Businesses closed, hospitals closed. Many people found themselves forced to work beyond retirement. Real incomes declined for years. The lives of Americans were changed forever... Now in its second printing, this compelling book names people and events, to show who shot Goldilocks, and it wasn't the Butler or Colonel Mustard!

Editorial Reviews

Review

William D. Rutherford's "Who Shot Goldilocks?: How Alan Greenspan Did in Our Jobs, Savings, and Retirement Plans" is an intelligent and well-researched analysis of the economy of the United States. The United States economy in the nineteen nineties was efficient and productive, and economists said it was ideal. The public and governments from all over the world looked up to the U.S. economy with admiration mingled with envy. The U.S. economy did not encourage inflation, as the growth was steady. At the same time because of the stable state of affairs, it created a congenial atmosphere for production. In other words, the economy was "just right!" and hence was called the Goldilocks economy. However, by the end of the decade, the economy faltered and stopped growing. The stock market crashed. Some businesses were closed down. Many people lost their jobs and savings. There was no hint or warning that this type of crash could happen to the economy, and the economists and government were caught unawares. They did not even realize what had happened, and hence were not in a position to try and set it right. Rutherford explores the downturn of the economy, searching for who is responsible for the current state of the economy. He then scathingly criticizes the responsible parties for their role in the economic downswing. He also demonstrates that the implosion of the economy could have been prevented. Despite the focus of the book being what went wrong in the economy, he ends on a note of hope, saying that the American economy will still prosper due to the efforts of industrialists who are innovative risk takers. Rutherford concludes that the world economy could be better. However, he also feels that the economy of Europe will falter because of European industries' lack of insight into the intricacies of the economy. Rutherford presents the difficult topic, the U.S. economy, in a simple manner, explaining how economies function. His simple language allows him to present his ideas lucidly to laymen. An engrossing read, Who Shot Goldilocks?: How Alan Greenspan Did in Our Jobs, Savings, and Retirement Plans will surely be appreciated by economists and anyone who wants to know the reason why the U.S. economy faltered. --BookWire

A model of clarity and fun to read! --Philip Friedman, New York Times bestselling author of Reasonable Doubt

This book illuminates numerous instances of misguided policy and suggests needed structural changes for improving the Fed's role. A worthwhile read for anyone concerned with the global economy. --Scott Dawson, Dean, School of Business, Portland State University

From the Author

In WHO SHOT GOLDILOCKS? William D. Rutherford outlines in detail the economic and policy decisions that helped create the greatest generation of wealth in American history — and the incredible actions that ultimately destroyed it. WHO SHOT GOLDILOCKS? presents a clear-eyed view of the inner workings of the American economy, explains how policy decisions affecting millions are made, and shows how the people responsible for maintaining the course of the economy failed.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Crown Point Press; Revised edition (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975310402
• ISBN-13: 978-0975310403
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,137,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all political and business leaders!, July 22, 2004

By 

S Miller - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who Shot Goldilocks?: How Alan Greenspan Did in Our Jobs, Savings, and Retirement Plans (Hardcover)

Shocking! Mr. Rutherford has done his homework. Who shot Goldilocks? will give you new insight into the internal workings of the Federal Reserve, Mr. Greenspan's seriously flawed decision making techniques and the unbelievable amount of power wielded by so few. In fact, this book will leave you with grave concern for the current economy and longing for answers to a much needed money-system overhaul. A great read!
S. Miller

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great airplane read for investors!, July 17, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Who Shot Goldilocks?: How Alan Greenspan Did in Our Jobs, Savings, and Retirement Plans (Hardcover)

This book has answers for anyone who got crushed in the dot.com bust. An impassioned and efficient analysis of 20 years of American financial history. Of significant interest to anyone with money in the market or with concerns about the concentration of economic power in the Federal Reserve Bank.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Porridge is just right, September 1, 2004

By 

G. Roupe (Saratoga, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Who Shot Goldilocks?: How Alan Greenspan Did in Our Jobs, Savings, and Retirement Plans (Hardcover)

This book is very well written and easily understood. For someone like me who is not a well versed on the matters of the various factors affecting the financial markets, it provided a number of new insights. I do not profess to offer an opinion on the matter of Greenspan's success or failure, but this book does offer a different perspective from what is generally portrayed in the media. Worth reading.