This title features detailed table of contents: What happened and how did we get here? This section will: cover a brief history of market panics to place the current turmoil in context; trace the origins of the current financial crisis and the rise of sub prime mortgages; explain the complicated financial instruments and rationalizations used to justify sub prime mortgages; illustrate how changes in the real estate markets ultimately led to a crisis situation in the sub prime mortgage market; and, give a blow-by-blow of what happened during the weeks leading up to the collapse including the Fannie and Freddie Mac government takeover, the downfall of the investment banks, and the failure of some commercial banking institutions. Where Are We Now and Where Are We Headed? This section will describe the reaction of businesses and consumers in the face of the economic crisis. It examines what the 'new' Wall Street will look like and how will it affect the Main Street III. What Does It Mean For You? This prescriptive section will cover: what is and is not protected by the government; information about personal debt; descriptions of individual investor strategies; general lessons learned; and, forecasts about the future.

Author Biography

Dave Kansas spent four years as the editor of The Wall Street Journal's Money and Investing Section. He is now president of FiLife, a new joint personal finance venture between Dow Jones and IAC Corp.