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Fragile by Design

Fragile by Design

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$20.00at alibrisObserved at 7:23 AM

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Our take on the Fragile by Design

Fragile by Design is a 2015 Princeton University Press paperback by Charles W. Calomiris (with Stephen H. Haber) on why banking systems are crisis-prone. It argues that bank instability is shaped by political bargains between governments, banks and voters, not by accident or pure market failure. The best new price is $20.00 at alibris as of November 7, 2026, with 3 stores selling it new.

Best forReaders of financial and economic historyEconomics and policy studentsAnyone curious why banking crises recurReaders who liked other Princeton economics titles
Pros
  • Backed by a long historical comparison across many countries
  • Explains crises through politics and regulation, not just markets
  • Written for a general educated reader, not only academics
  • Paperback edition is compact and affordable
Cons
  • Dense and slow going in places
  • Heavy on historical detail before reaching conclusions
  • Some readers may find the political argument repetitive

Fragile by Design prices at every store

  • alibrisNew

    In stock

    $20.00Observed at 7:23 AM
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  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $18.96+ $5.99 shippingObserved at 7:23 AM
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  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $18.96+ $6.99 shippingObserved at 7:23 AM
    Visit Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

Fragile by Design price history

Lowest price we've seen: $18.96 on Nov 7 at Walmart. Tracked across 3 stores since Nov 7.

What reviewers say

Reviewers treat it as a serious, well-researched account of banking instability. They credit its cross-country historical sweep and its political explanation of crises. Some find the argument repetitive and the prose dense.

What people mention
  • ArgumentPraisedReviewers find the political-bargain explanation of banking crises convincing.
  • ResearchPraisedThe cross-country historical evidence is described as thorough.
  • ReadabilityMixedSome readers find the prose dense and slow in places.
  • RepetitionCriticisedA few reviewers say the central point is restated too often.

Specifications

Format
PaperbackSource
Release Year
2015Source
Language
EnglishSource
Genre
Current Affairs & Politics, Business, Economics & ManagementSource

Questions and answers

Who wrote Fragile by Design?
It is by Charles W. Calomiris, with Stephen H. Haber. This listing credits Calomiris as author.
What is the book about?
It explains why banking systems are prone to crisis, arguing that political bargains between governments, banks and voters shape stability more than market forces alone.
Is it suitable for a general reader?
It is written for an educated general audience, but it is dense and assumes some interest in economics and history.
What edition is this?
This is the 2015 paperback from Princeton University Press, in English.
When is the price lowest?
The best new price is $20.00 at alibris as of November 7, 2026. Compare the 3 stores selling it new before buying.
Where is the Fragile by Design cheapest?
At alibris, for $20.00, as of our latest check.
Where can I buy the Fragile by Design?
3 stores we checked sell it, including Walmart, Target, alibris.

Stores we've priced the Fragile by Design at

  • Target deals and prices
  • Walmart deals and prices
Publisher
Princeton Univ PrSource
Release Date
2015-08Source