Just finished an interesting book on the history of central banking and government finance in the United States. It's a very readable book aimed at the lay person. It's probably the most balanced take I've read on the topic.

Most of what I read, say, the Federal Reserve ranges from the myopic to the hysterical, either for or against, so it was nice to have someone take a reasonable, balanced approach to the history, pros, and cons of banking and finance.

Anyway, worth a read if you want some general background on the Capitalism vs. Democracy conflict in America.

The Money Men: Capitalism, Democracy, and the Hundred Years War Over the American Dollar
by H. W. Brands