'Joseph Joyce has written a masterful book tracing the history of the IMF from inception to its current place in the international financial system. But The IMF and Global Financial Crises is much more than a history. In an engaging yet clear fashion, Joyce explains the geneses of financial crises, and why the functioning of the global economy requires an institution like the IMF. He also makes clear that the future requires an evolving and adaptive IMF. Yet it is unclear whether the principal shareholders will be able to rise to the challenge. This book is sure to become the definitive work on this critically important issue.' Menzie Chinn, University of Wisconsin, Madison