A History of Interest Rates presents a very readable account of Interest Rate trends and lending practices over four millennia of economic history. Despite the paucity of data prior to the Industrial Revolution, authors Homer and Sylla provide a highly detailed analysis of money markets and borrowing practices in major economies. Underlying the analysis is their assertion that "the free market long-term rates of interest for any industrial nation, properly charted, provide a sort of fever chart of the economic and political health of that nation." Given the enormous volatility of rates in the 20th century, this implies we're living in age of political and economic excesses that are reflected in massive Interest Rate swings. Gain more insight into this assertion by ordering a copy of this book today.
It's a common resource for experts when analyzing the global bond markets
Covers four thousands years of interest ratehistory: Mesopotamia --> Present (2005)
Provides charts of prevailing interest rates
Discusses how lending was carried out before coinss, banking or the modern finance industry