For more than 100 years since its inception, the United States struggled through a variety of financial problems, crises, and would-be solutions to the problems of currency, credit and financial stability. On December 23, 1913, Woodrow Wilson signed into law the Federal Reserve Act, creating a ""monster"" patterned after the central banks of Europe yet still uniquely American. Throughout the years, this system has served the nation well. This is the first complete discussion of the workings of the system to date--the early history, organization, leadership, evolution and development, and major figures. Appendices include the original Federal Act (not readily available elsewhere) and numerous reference tables covering 1914-1989.