Despite the thousands of articles and the millions of times that the word 'bubble' has been used in the business press, there still does not appear to be a cohesive theory or persuasive empirical approach with which to study 'bubble' and 'crash' conditions. This book presents a plausible and accessible descriptive theory and empirical approach to the analysis of such financial market conditions. It advances such a framework through application of standard econometric methods to its central idea, which is that financial bubbles reflect urgent short side rationed demand. From this basic idea, an elasticity of variance concept is developed. It is further shown that a behavioral risk premium can probably be measured and related to the standard equity risk premium models in a way that is consistent with conventional theory.

'This book looks at bubbles more deeply than any other. Recommended for anyone who follows finance or is interested in the roots of the financial crisis.'

Tyler Cowen - George Mason University

'This outstanding book is an essential starting point for anyone seeking to understand the economics of bubbles as they exist in the real world.'

Bruce Greenwald - Columbia Business School

'Financial market bubbles and crashes have long been the pauper parent of financial economics. By proposing an inspiring conceptual foundation spanning academic financial economics, professional management, and elements of complexity theory, Harold Vogel is rising to the challenge. The book attacks arguably the most difficult and controversial open problem, namely the diagnostic of bubbles, by developing promising bubble strength indicators. I predict that this type of research is going to thrive in the future and will lead to profound reassessments of our understanding on the stability of financial markets and of systemic risks.'

Didier Sornette - ETH Zurich, Financial Crisis Observatory, Swiss Finance Institute, and co-founder of the Competence Center for Coping with Crises in Socio-Economic Systems

'Hal Vogel’s book is fascinating and useful. It is accessible to the interested layperson, and its first part provides a readable refresher course on finance and financial history for the specialist. The second part contains some novel empirical approaches and results that give much food for thought. Taken as a whole, the book is both educational and a pleasure to read.'

Geoffrey E. Wood - City University

'[This] book is useful not only for trained economists but also for anyone seeking to understand the extreme events in finance and economics.'

Source: Zentralblatt MATH

'… the intent of this study to conduct an exploration and analysis that might eventually lead to a robust, unified general theory applicable to all types and sizes of asset-price bubbles is more than welcome. … the book is easily accessible and provides an exciting introduction into this up-to-date topic. … a readable introduction into an exciting and relevant topic.'

Source: Journal of Economics and Statistics