In 1776 the U.S. owed huge sums to foreign creditors and its own citizens but, lacking the power to tax, had no means to repay them. This is the first book to tell the story of how foreign-born financial specialistsâ?"the immigrant founders Hamilton and Gallatinâ?"solved the fiscal crisis and set the nation on a path to long-term economic prosperity.

In 1776, the U.S. owed huge sums to foreign creditors and its own citizens but, lacking the power to tax, had no means to repay them. This is the first book to tell the story of how foreign-born financial specialists solved the fiscal crisis and set the nation on a path to long-term economic prosperity.