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The Library of Mistakes

The Library of Mistakes

Library of Mistakes 60 Episodes Jun 19, 2026

Based in Edinburgh, the Library of Mistakes is a free public library dedicated to improving understanding of finance by learning from past errors. In this podcast series, the Library's Keeper, Professor Russell Napier, interviews leading financial history authors from around the world. Additionally, Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston present a supplementary thread of episodes called Shelf Life. The series is produced by Fraser Allen.

Episodes

EP 61: We Know You Can Pay a Million (with Anja Shortland) Shelf Life #16 Jun 19, 2026 2661 We have a real treat for you this time as we speak to financial crime expert Anja Shortland. After books on art theft and kidnapping, Anja has now turned her attention to ransomware, with her latest title We Know You Can Pay a Million – and offers fascinating glimpses into the business practices of the international criminals involved.Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston also hear from Future Asset's J
EP 60: Blue Blood (with Robert Pickering) Jun 9, 2026 3624 Blue Blood tells the story of Cazenove & Co., the prestigious stockbroking firm founded in 1823. Former CEO Robert Pickering reveals what happened in 2000 when the firm decided to abandon its traditional partnership structure, raise external capital and prepare for a stock market flotation. He then describes to Russell Napier the difficult years that followed as the firm reshaped its business,
EP 59: How to Get Rich the American Way (with Joseph S. Moore) May 27, 2026 2707 There are plenty of books suggesting ways in which wealthy people can invest their money, but very few for people who lack the investment funds in the first place. After suffering his own financial challenges, US academic Joseph S. Moore dipped into history to conduct a series of experiments in how to get the rich 'the American way'. That resulted in a funny, eye-opening and optimistic book, spark
EP 58: Observatoire des Erreurs (with François Boutin-Dufresne) Shelf Life #15 May 18, 2026 1863 Join us in Montreal as we speak with François Boutin-Dufresne who, together with Karl Gauvin, is co-founder of the Observatoire des Erreurs – Canada's very own version of the Library of Mistakes. Inspired by a trip to Edinburgh, the Observatoire embraces the same ethos as the Library of Mistakes, and joins other extensions of our activity in Pune (India) and Lausanne (Switzerland). The Observatoir
EP 57: The Future Asset Takeover! (with Grace London) Shelf Life #14 Apr 20, 2026 3488 Welcome to a very special episode in which the talented young women of Future Asset stage a takeover of the podcast. Recorded at the annual Future Asset finals in Edinburgh (at which teams of girls from Scottish schools compete to present the most effective investment pitch), we discover why Future Asset is so valuable in encouraging young women to consider a career in investment and finance.This
EP 56: Money Beyond Borders (with Barry Eichengreen) Apr 10, 2026 2780 Welcome to a very special episode of the podcast, as we hear from eminent economic historian and prolific author Barry Eichengreen. Barry is the man who inspired our very own Russell Napier to realise that he could learn much more from the history of finance than he could from books on economic theory. That 'eureka' moment was inspired by Barry's first book, Golden Fetters – The Gold Standard and
EP 55: The Swiss Franc, 1798 to 2055 (with Costa Vayenas) Apr 2, 2026 2953 Join Russell Napier and Costa Vayenas as they explore a currency with a cult following – the Swiss Franc. Costa is author of The Swiss Franc, from 1798 to 2055 – and yes, that's not a typo. The book promises a treasure trove of deep data and insights, and explains how Switzerland manages with an ever-appreciating exchange rate. Looking ahead, it also discusses what long-term bond yield differentia
EP 54: The Weekend Of Mistakes (with Leila Johnston) Shelf Life #13 Mar 26, 2026 2069 The much-anticipated Weekend of Mistakes 2026 took place on 20-22 March, with leading investment and ecomonic thinkers such as Russell Napier, Merryn Somerset Webb and Professor Helen Thompson entertaining an enthusiastic audience gathered from across the UK and far beyond. Topics included football finance, the water industry, a guide for countries hoping to avoid going bust, and the mafia's unlik
EP 53: A Practical History of Financial Markets (with Russell Napier) Shelf Life #12 Mar 20, 2026 1592 Russell Napier, founder of the Library of Mistakes, joins Fraser Allen & Leila Johnston to discuss the Library’s Practical History of Financial Markets, which has been running for almost two decades. What does it cover? Who is it for? And what are the benefits of taking part?Didasko CEO David Clarke is also on hand to offer his perspective on the course, while our Librarian Helen Williams reco
EP 52: The Smith Conversations (with Robbie Mochrie) Shelf Life #11 Feb 13, 2026 2778 In this episode, Robbie Mochrie catches up with Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen to discuss a series of events he has organised to celebrate the 250-year anniversary of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations. Called The Smith Conversations, the programme begins on 9 March as a distinguished panel of guests assemble at the Library of Mistakes to discuss Smith on Equality. Further events explore Smith's thou
EP 51: The Business of History (with Tom Levitt) Feb 4, 2026 2443 Tom Levitt was exploring a course on 19th century history during the pandemic crisis when he stumbled upon WH Beable’s 'Romance of Great Businesses', a 1926 book exploring 32 iconic British companies. He was intrigued by the realisation that many of them still exist today (although mostly as brand names rather than intact corporations). It inspired the former teacher, MP and business advisor to de
EP 50: The Weekend Of Mistakes (with Alice Sherwood & Paul Greatbatch) Shelf Life #10 Jan 20, 2026 2562 In the latest Shelf Life, we begin with a clip of Russell Napier speaking at this year's Mistake Of The Year awards at the Library of Mistakes - you can see the whole thing on YouTube (link below). We then discover the wonderful Weekend Of Mistakes, held every year in Hay-on-Wye, on the Welsh/English border. Inspired by the Library of Mistakes, the event shares the Library's mission of encouraging

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