The Great Swindle

The Great Swindle: The Story Of The South Sea Bubble by Virginia Cowles is a historical account of one of the most infamous financial scandals in British history. The book tells the story of the South Sea Company, which was established in 1711 with the aim of trading with South America and the Pacific. However, the company soon became embroiled in a speculative frenzy, with investors buying and selling shares in the hope of making a quick profit.Cowles delves into the personalities behind the South Sea Company, including its directors and the politicians who were involved in the scheme. She also explores the wider social and economic context of the time, highlighting the growing wealth and consumerism of the early 18th century.The book describes the various tactics used by the South Sea Company to inflate the value of its shares, including bribing MPs and spreading false rumours about the company's profitability. Cowles also examines the role of the press in exposing the scandal, as well as the aftermath of the bubble bursting and the subsequent fallout for investors and the wider economy.Overall, The Great Swindle is a gripping and informative account of a pivotal moment in British financial history, shedding light on the greed, corruption and hubris that led to one of the biggest financial scandals of all time.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.