The Mr. X Interviews: Volume 1: World Views from a Fictional US Sovereign Creditor Paperback – 21 Dec. 2018

Read this book and the whole world will make sense

As the next global financial crisis approaches it is essential for investors to consider the implications that it might well have on the valuations of major currencies and their respective asset markets, including the USD, around which the system has revolved for many decades. In a witty and entertaining way, Luke Gromen explores just what quite likely has been, is, and will soon be playing out. In brief, the US government has long abused its de facto control over the world's pre-eminent 'printing press' and is losing control over events abroad. There have been similar episodes before, such as the breakdown of the 'London Gold Pool' in the late 1960s and the run on the dollar in 1979-81, but in both cases the US economy was still highly productive, far less financialised and thus able to bear the burden of higher interest rates and international competition.The same cannot be said of today. Indeed, with a huge unfunded entitlement pile in addition to the official, accumulated net foreign debt position, the US is in far worse financial shape than is generally appreciated. Hence the dollar's pre-eminent global reserve status may well not survive what is soon to come, with huge implications for financial asset valuations and, importantly, implying a large revaluation in the price of gold, the one liquid international asset that cannot be printed, no matter how much a government might wish to.Those wishing to delve deeper into the subject matter can follow up on the many helpful references included in the text, but this is as good a starting point as any on the subject.

This is required reading for anyone with an interest in financial markets, geopolitics and the current state of the world. I can't wait for the release of Volume 2 of the interviews.

Overall, book wasn't too bad, and had a few interesting observations. Tl;dr is the petrodollar system is changing and it will have a big impact for every other asset class and world order.Where it falls short was not diving more deeply into some claims and providing actual proof that they hold. Also, in a number of places the conversation between 2 people is repeated, with same quotes and charts discussed multiple times.

Pre-crisis I used to subscribe to BCA. Every once in a while they'd feature an interview with Mr. X, whom the readership understood to be the retired founder. It was all a bit pompous and self-important, but it was alright.---> this is not the Mr. X from BCANot to put too fine a point on it, this is perhaps the worst book I've read. And I read a lot.Don't know if you remember the shady character type who talks a big game to Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife in "True Lies," but that's the overall quality of the conspiracy-theoretical hocus pocus that passes off as analysis here: severely tired stuff from the depths of the twentieth century.I would not normally confess to having read it, but if I can save somebody from wasting time on it, then it's worth it to admit I was duped into paying good money for "the Mr. X Interviews."A couple positives:1. it's short2. if drivel of this lowest order can make it into print, there's hope for everyone

If I could give this 10 stars I would I loved this book. I read it in 2 sessions. I only wish it was longer. At 157 pages its a decent length but it was just so easy to read.A really good overview of the economy from a macroeconomic standpoint.

Sorry, I was only limited to a hundred characters for the Headline.This was a great read as I was someone who didn't know the full story on how the US Dollar became the "world currency" and how pretty much all commodities are bought and paid for with the USD.This book is unique in the fact that it tells the story of how the world 'moved' from the "Gold Standard" to the USD / US Treasury Bonds, etc per a conversation between the author and "Mr X".It covers everything from how the United States got away from pegging the dollar to gold and how the United States has leveraged it's 'power' and influence to strong-arm sovereign nations that the United States owes debt to accept USD/T-Bills not backed by anything other than "Balsa Wood and Baby's Tears".But that's just touching the surface, it covers a myriad of topics of how other other countries, like China and Russia are seeking ways of getting away from the USD as payment for goods and services and using their own native currencies as a new standard instead of the USD.Lastly, it goes a bit more in-depth about the United States continuous problem with debt and how it's handling (more not doing a good job therin of) handling it's debt problems.Just read it, I think I got through it in a couple of weeks and I only really read on the weekends and sometimes before going to bed.

I became familiar with Luke Gromen through other respected contrarian voices in financial circles. in this book he has very well explained (with several references, quotes, charts, and data) the flaw in USD for oil reserve status and its looming demise. The rise of the competing system was inevitable, its imminent arrival will take the world by surprise as the resolution to the next crisis.

Luke Gromen put together helpful content on economics, especially the USD, also including geopolitics which is often left out by many other authors! IMO you ought to read this book if you aim to understand major shifts in global economics - explained in a brilliant way. Even though some causalities are not always as intuitive for the reader as they might be for the author, there is no way not to give a five-star review. Looking forward to vol. 2!

Loved every page. Will be thinking about this for some time to come. Anyone with investments or debt should read

I used to think I knew about Wall Street b/c I like stocks. But until you get the finance system, you really don't know how things work. This will open your eyes. This is deep and really gets into the nitty gritty of the money system. It will make you think. This is not a 100 level course type of book. But it's not dense and boring. It is a conversation and that is a great way to present this info. Luke is great at marshaling a lot of facts, news, & charts to prove his points.