The Ascent of Money(2008)

The Ascent of Money is a documentary series in which historian Niall Ferguson traces the evolution of money and global finance from ancient times to the modern era. Ferguson examines pivotal moments when financial systems collapsed, offering insight into the mechanisms behind economic crises. By connecting historical patterns to contemporary economic turmoil, the series demonstrates how financial booms and busts have repeatedly shaped civilization. Ferguson travels across continents to explore the origins of banking, credit, stocks, and bonds, revealing the human ambitions and miscalculations that drive markets. The series contextualizes the 2008 financial crisis within a broader historical framework, showing that today's economic challenges echo centuries of financial innovation and catastrophe.