Short Synopsis
A brilliant narrative history of the most colorful and important economic summit in history—held during the height of World War II.

Full Synopsis
The meeting of world leaders at Bretton Woods in 1944 was the only time countries from around the world agreed to overhaul the structure of the international monetary system. The system they set up presided over the longest, strongest, and most stable period of growth the world economy has ever seen.

At the very heart of the conference was the love-hate relationship between the Briton John Maynard Keynes, the greatest economist of his day, and his American counterpart Harry Dexter White (later revealed to be passing information secretly to Russian spies). Both were intent on creating an economic settlement that would put right the wrongs of Versailles. Both were working to prevent another world war. But they were also working to defend their countries' national interests.

Drawing on a wealth of unpublished accounts, diaries, and oral histories, this brilliant book describes the conference in stunning color and clarity. This is an extraordinary debut from a talented historian.

"Ralph Lister does a cracking job narrating this impressive tome." ---AudioFile

"Brimming with the sort of vivid details that make the past come alive, The Summit is both an impressive work of scholarship and an absolute delight to read." ---Liaquat Ahamed, author of Lords of Finance

"The scope of the subject matter is impressive, and the execution is outstanding." ---Kirkus Starred Review

"Brilliantly researched, and hugely entertaining, this is an essential book about one of the most important economic events of the twentieth century." ---Keith Lowe, author of Savage Continent

"Conway uses a wide range of archives, including recently available Soviet files. A sweeping account." ---The New York Review of Books

Kirkus Review