Description
Book SynopsisThis second and final book in the exploration of the pioneers of financial economics examines the development of the discipline during the twentieth century. Specially commissioned essays discuss scholars from the early part of the century to the Nobel Prize winners of the last decade including: Irving Fisher, Frederick Macaulay, Harry Markowitz and Fischer Black. Discussions of less familiar, though no less important, historical figures are also included.
The essays situate the emergence of modern financial economics - commonly referred to as modern finance - within the broader context of the intellectual development of economic science. The book begins by exploring contributions from the early part of the century. Succeeding chapters present the views of modern finance insiders and consider alternative perspectives, with sociological interpretations of the rise of modern financial economics. An outstanding volume of original analysis, Pioneers of Financial Economics: Volume 2 is an essential reference source of seminal contributions on the history of financial economics.
Students and scholars of finance, economics, sociology and intellectual history will find this comprehensive volume an invaluable addition to their library. The relatively non-technical nature of the book makes it accessible to professionals in the fields of finance and economics.
Trade Review'Numerous delights await readers of Poitras and Jovanovic's fascinating book. . . Pioneers of Financial Economics: Volume 2
is an indispensable reference for practitioners as well as scholars. It covers 20th century innovations thoroughly, and its prose generally meets a high standard of clarity. Above all, the book proves that history written with a point of view can furnish insights of extraordinary practical value. To evaluate where a field of study stands, knowing whence it came is invaluable.' -- Martin S. Fridson, Financial Analysts Journal
'This collection of essays about twentieth century pioneers of finance offers valuable insights into the thinking of some of the pioneers of financial economics. I especially enjoyed the essay about Irving Fisher. I learned a lot of new things from it.' -- Zvi Bodie, Boston University, US
Table of ContentsContents: Introduction Geoffrey Poitras PART I: EARLY CONTRIBUTIONS 1. A Brief History of Yield Approximations Gabriel Hawawini and Ashok Vora 2. Early Contributors to Financial Management: Jeremiah Jenks, Edward Meade and William Ripley Morgen Witzel 3. Irving Fisher and his Students as Financial Economists Robert W. Dimand 4. Frederick R. Macaulay, Frank M. Redington and the Emergence of Modern Fixed Income Analysis Geoffrey Poitras PART II: THE MODERN FINANCE REVOLUTION: THE INSIDE PERSPECTIVE 5. A Portfolio of Nobel Laureates: Markowitz, Miller and Sharpe Hal Varian 6. Merton Miller and Modern Finance Rene M. Stulz 7. In Honor of the Nobel Laureates Robert C. Merton and Myron S. Scholes: A Partial Differential Equation that Changed the World Robert A. Jarrow 8. Fischer Black Robert C. Merton and Myron S. Scholes 9. The Efficient Markets Hypothesis: A Developmental Perspective Kian-Guan Lim PART III: ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVES ON THE REVOLUTION 10. The Role of the CAPM, the Modigliani–Miller Theorems and the Efficient Markets Hypothesis in the Rise of a Scientific Discipline Franck Jovanovic 11. The Emergence of Option Pricing Theory Donald MacKenzie 12. The History of Quantitative Risk Measurement Elton G. McGoun 13. Understanding Financial Market Prices: Reality versus Rigor Paul Davidson Index
