01 August 2022, 12:00 am
The Ascent of Money (USA)
Programme Type
Films and Exhibitions, Webcasts
End Date
07 August 2022, 11:59 pm

Series director: Adrian Pennink
Recipient of the International Emmy 2008 for Best Documentary 

A six-part documentary presented by Niall Ferguson. Based on his book The Ascent of Money: The Financial History of the World, the film examines the long history of money, credit, and banking. Throughout the series, Niall Ferguson examines the origins of the pillars of the world’s financial systems, and how behind every great historical phenomenon – empires and republics, wars and revolutions – there lies a financial secret.

Episode 3: Blowing Bubbles (47 min)
This episode looks at the origins of the joint stock company in Amsterdam and Paris, and shows why stock markets produce bubbles and busts.