The Promise and Peril of Credit - (Histories of Economic Life) by Francesca Trivellato

The Promise and Peril of Credit is a groundbreaking book that sheds light on the complex relationship between private finance and social order in Western capitalism.

By examining the origins and evolution of an antisemitic legend about Jews and money, author Francesca Trivellato uncovers the deep-seated fears and anxieties surrounding the rise of impersonal credit markets.

Through a masterful blend of economic, legal, social, cultural, and intellectual history, Trivellato vividly describes how Christian writers drew on this legend to define and redefine what constitutes the proper boundaries of credit in a modern world increasingly dominated by finance.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intricate dynamics of private finance and its impact on society, from the Middle Ages to the present day.