This Time is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly
by Carmen M. Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff

Reinhart and Rogoff are both academic economists with some practical experience at the U.S. Federal Reserve and the International Monetary Fund. This book, which will become a reference for years to come, assembles a data set spanning 66 countries and eight centuries, which the authors use to examine four kinds of financial crises: defaults on sovereign debt, banking crises, foreign exchange crises, and rampant inflation. Each of history's many crises is unique, of course, but the book's central message is that all of them also have remarkably similar features and aftermaths — and therefore that there is much of contemporary relevance in seemingly dated episodes. One lesson is that as countries develop, sovereign-debt defaults become less likely but banking crises do not.

I also recommend this interview with the author.

The Great Wave: Price Revolutions and the Rhythm of History
by David Hackett Fischer

David Hackett Fischer gives a great history of the four great waves of rising prices starting in the year 1300. All were marked by price swings of increasing volatility, falling real wages, a growing gap between rich and poor. This book is must read for any investor trying to understand the current inflationary trends.

As head of Simmons & Company International, the author has an insider’s knowledge of the oil business. This book is a great treatise on the current state of Middle Eastern oil fields and the impending problems with our reliance on them.

I also recommend this interview with the author.

GaveKal is a Hong Kong based financial services firm. This book is a very optimistic review of the global economy within the context of multinational corporations, and of the consequences of their efficient use of capital and labour. GaveKal’s point of view is particularly important due to their experience in the Asian economy.

I also recommend this interview with one of the authors, Vincent Gave.

Written in 2006, this book analyses the speculative “bubbles” that have supported the US economy for the past 25 years, and the economic implications of their unwinding. This book will show you how to turn the coming economic transformation into a profitable opportunity.

I also recommend this interview with one of the authors, Eric Janszen.

I also recommend this link to one of the author’s websites.

Donald Cox is one of my favourite authors and Chairman & Chief Strategist of Harris Investment Management Inc. His book lays out the investment premise that is shaping the world we live in. It is a bit technical in its terminology but a great read for those trying to understand the changes afoot in the global economy.

I also recommend this interview with the author.

Written in 2004, this book lays out the premise for the current commodity bull market. This is a timely read for any investor trying to understand the fundamentals driving this commodity cycle.

I also recommend this interview with the author.

This is a very important documentary on the implications of peak oil to the global economy. The producers have gathered some of the world’s leading experts on global oil production to discuss their concerns regarding where we are heading.

I also recommend you visit their website.