Books about the depression are probably in vogue now but this one takes a rather interesting look at the subject. Written by author William Klingaman it covers the course of the year 1929 (Klingaman also wrote books on the years 1919 and 1941). In addition to following the general course of the stock market during the year it also gives the reader an insight into what else was going on during the epic year.
From Herbert Hoover to Groucho Marx, from titans of industry to common men on the street the book very effectively captures the mood of the times as well as the exuberance of the market rally. It also points out that even when government and business leaders made somewhat belated efforts to stem the rising tide and discourage speculation that the people on the street ignored them.
Indeed, while the author does not expressly say so, it could be speculated that while business and political leaders of the time bear a heavy burden for what happened perhaps the biggest burden should fall on us (or more specifically the people of the time since I doubt many of us were around in 1929).
In that light it brings up thoughts of today and the degree to which our own consumerism and desire to speculate in the recent tech stock and housing market booms are to blame for our own current ills.
I intend to read his other books and will offer comments on those, but for now I can encourage you to check out this very interesting read.