Examines history's most turbulent economic and political periods to reveal why the times ahead will likely be radically different from those in recent memory.

The big cycle in a tiny nutshell --The determinants -- Determinants addendum -- The big cycle of money, credit, debt, and economic activity -- The changing value of money -- The big cycle of internal order and disorder -- The big cycle of external order and disorder -- Investing in light of the big cycle -- The last 500 years in a tiny nutshell -- The big cycle rise and decline of the Dutch Empire and the guilder -- The big cycle rise of the British Empire and the pound -- The big cycle rise and decline of the United States and the dollar -- The big cycle rise of China and the renminbi -- US-China relations and wars -- The future.