by Ronald J. Mann
PUBLISHER: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 0521866111
PRICE: $65.00
PAGES: 250 pp
PUBLICATION DATE: September 2006
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Reviews
"This excellent monograph covers a lot of ground and provides the reader with a lucid description and powerful analysis of the development of credit and debit cards in North America and overseas, their interaction with merchants and consumers, the negative features of contemporary credit card issuers’ practices, and the externalities created by unregulated credit card contracts.
What distinguishes Charging Ahead from the other voluminous literature in the area is the scientific rigour brought to bear by the author through the use of statistical data to illuminate or contradict an argument and the avoidance of anecdotal stories which, while sometimes illuminating or amusing, have little scientific validity. Equally impressive is Professor Mann's intellectual honesty and his willingness to accept the conclusions derived from his economic and legal analysis of cutting edge issues even when they are at variance with his free market instincts. The book should do much to dispel some common myths and to reinforce the arguments of those stressing the need to counteract the excesses of credit card issuers."
Jacob Ziegel, Professor of Law Emeritus, University of Toronto
