Table of Contents

Part 1 Genesis of the modern boom/bust: the new economy - the selling of an Anglo-American myth; secret of the 5per cent mortgage; the making of the first global crisis. Part 2 Anatomy of the first global cycle: launched in the USA; Gordon Brown and the magic mantra; virtual reality and the new alchemy; the depression of 2010. Part 3 The pathology of politics: how government curbs people's incomes; society's automatic stabilizer; can you live on thin air?.

Reviews

"Harrison never wavered from his prediction that the housing boom would end in a spell of mania in 2007, followed by bust in 2008." --"The Independent"

"A case for the existence of an 18-year business cycle...link[ed] to speculation in the property market." --"Financial Times"

"As the frantic property market of last spring slumps into its current nervous state with falling prices, is it by chance that this crystal ball-gazing--so far--seems to be uncannily accurate, or does Harrison really know something we don't?" --"The Mail on Sunday"

"Fascinating insights into cycles, property and rents." --"Institute of Economic Affairs"

"For anyone seeking to understand the vagaries of the housing market, this is a fascinating read." --"Sunday Telegraph"

"Harrison's book is a formidable challenge to the apologists of the status quo." --"American Journal of Economics and Sociology"

"The essence of [the] argument is that the majority of current property prices reflect land value rather than building costs." --"Professional Investor"

"There are some fascinating insights into cycles, property and rents." --John Calverley, chief economist, American Express Bank