Those of you familiar with turn of the century american politics, and the Omaha Platform, will

know of the subjects close to populist progressives of that time.  If not, then look here;

http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5361

Resolution 9 of that statement ' RESOLVED, That we oppose any subsidy or national aid to any private corporation for any purpose., has relevence today as it did in 1892.

Two books follow and expand upon the sentiments expressed in that platform.  The first is called 'US Money vs Corporate Currency (the Aldrich Plan)', by A O Crozier, found here;

http://books.google.com/books?id=qSs5AAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcov...

At more than 300 pages, it is no pamphlet, and contains a disection of the early draft of the

Federal Reserve Act.  It is also illustrated by the author,  quite masterful at that.  Those illustrations alone are worth the time to look at.

This book was published in 1912, and warns of the dangers of a cartel of private bankers,

and those warning seem a prophecy today.

The next book is called 'Triumphant Plutocracy, The story of American public life from 1870 to 1920', and was penned by a retired Dakota senator, R F Pettigrew, look here;

http://books.google.com/books?id=JULLSNa-aLEC&printsec=frontcov...

No illustrations, and has words amounting to more than 400 pages.  The chapter called 'Imperialism at Work' gives a history that will shock.  Also tells the sad story of Hawaii.

Pettigrew touches on subjects of his time that affect us today. He has a facebook page;

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10185007763