The role of a central bank is something that has again come to the forefront of policy discussions, particularly in the wake of the US Financial Crisis. Roger Lowenstein provides an innovative approach to the topic. Using a historical analysis of the formation of the US Federal Reserve, he provides insights into the potential role of a central bank that we sometimes take for granted. Throughout the book, America’s Bank, the author draws interesting parallels between the current era and the early 1900s when the Federal Reserve was established.