New essay by Glenda Gilmore just added to Freedom's Story: Teaching African American Literature and History, TeacherServe from the National Humanities Center.

"Nothing about Saitama passes the eyeball test when it comes to superheroes, from his lifeless expression to his bald head to his unimpressive physique. However, this average-looking guy has a not-so-average problem— he just can't seem to find an opponent strong enough to take on! An emergency summons gathers Class S heroes at headquarters … and Saitama tags along. There, they learn that the great seer Shibabawa left the following prophecy: "The Earth is in danger!" What in the world is going to happen?!" -- Description provided by publisher.

Nothing about Saitama passes the eyeball test when it comes to superheroes, from his lifeless expression to his bald head to his unimpressive physique. However, this average-looking guy has a not-so-average problem-he just can't seem to find an opponent strong enough to take on! When aliens invade Earth, a group of Class-S heroes finally finds a way to fight back and go on the offensive. Inside the enemy mother ship, Saitama fights Boros. Faced with the alien's frightful power, he decides to get serious! What is the Earth's fate?!

"Hero hunter Gato intensifies his onslaught, so of course Saitama decides now is the perfect time to join a combat tournament. Meanwhile, Class-S hero Metal Bat takes an assignment guarding a Hero Association executive and his son, and before long trouble appears!" -- Description provided by publisher.

"Nothing about Saitama passes the eyeball test when it comes to superheroes, from his lifeless expression to his bald head to his unimpressive physique. However, this average-looking guy has a not-so-average problem— he just can't seem to find an opponent strong enough to take on! Time bomb Garo, a monster admirer, finally explodes, attacking the Hero Association! Meanwhile, Miss Blizzard visits Saitama at his apartment. Because of his lower rank, she plans to make him one of her subordinates, but … ." -- Page [4] of cover.

"Founded in Oakland, California, in 1966, the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was a radical political organization that stood in defiant contrast to the mainstream civil rights movement. This gripping illustrated history explores the impact and significance of the Panthers, from their social, educational, and healthcare programs that were designed to uplift the Black community to their battle against police brutality through citizen patrols and frequent clashes with the FBI, which targeted the Party from its outset. Using dramatic comic book-style retellings and illustrated profiles of key figures, The Black Panther Party captures the major events, people, and actions of the Party, as well as their cultural and political influence and enduring legacy." -- Page [2] of cover.

"When 18-year-old Klaus gets himself kicked out of the Umbrella Academy and his allowance discontinued, he heads to a place where his ghoulish talents will be appreciated— Hollywood. But after a magical high on a stash stolen from a vampire drug lord, Klaus needs help, and doesn't have his siblings there to save him." -- Provided by publisher.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen offers readers a classic tale of a love that seems impossible-and a hunger that is undeniable. Jenny Cashman longs to escape the refined, rarified air of her exclusive Swiss education. At nineteen, she's desperate for independence-and to once again see the man she loves. So she sells her belongings, leaves Europe, and heads to Las Vegas. The sight of Steve Jason's newest palatial hotel and casino thrills Jenny-but not as much as the sight of the man himself. Steve came to her rescue after her father died, paying for her years of expensive schooling. Now, she must convince him that she's old enough to make her own decisions . . . including about her passion for him. Steve Jason is a powerful mogul, a man who came from nothing and made a name for himself in the industry before he was thirty years old. He takes great care to keep all emotional involvement with others to a bare minimum-with only one exception. Jenny has always been incredibly important to him. But how can he keep her safe when she seems oblivious to her own stunning beauty and the reactions she gets from other men? It will take all of Steve's resolve to protect her-especially from his own desires.

Debbie Macomber's heartwarming series, set at the Rose Harbor Inn in picturesque Cedar Cove, displays the author's signature talent for creating characters who feel like friends, and small towns that feel like home. In this original short story, Jo Marie Rose readies her inn for spring, turning to her new friends Grace and Olivia when she needs them most. Jo Marie has big plans for her bed-and-breakfast. With the help of handyman Mark Taylor, she intends to plant a beautiful rose garden in time for her upcoming open house. Jo Marie and Mark rarely see eye to eye-especially on matters of home improvement-but she knows he has her best interests at heart. After the two walk the grounds, Jo Marie realizes that her beloved rescue dog, Rover, is missing, and at a time when she most needs a friend, Mark abruptly leaves. Confused by Mark's behavior and worried for Rover's safety, Jo Marie searches for her precious pup all over Cedar Cove. Rover is on an adventure of his own-one that will lead to a delightful surprise for two unlikely people. Includes an excerpt from Debbie Macomber's Last One Home.

"At Mt. Natagumo, Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke battle a terrible family of spider demons. Taking on such powerful enemies demands all the skill and luck Tanjiro has as he and his companions fight to rescue Nezuko from the spiders' web. The battle is drawing in other Demon Slayers but not all of them will leave Mt. Natagumo alive— or in one piece!" -- Page [4] of cover.

"In Taisho-era Japan, kindhearted Tanjiro Kamado makes a living selling charcoal. But his peaceful life is shattered when a demon slaughters his entire family. His little sister Nezuko is the only survivor, but she has been transformed into a demon herself! Tanjiro sets out on a dangerous journey to find a way to return his sister to normal and destroy the demon who ruined his life … After their initial confrontation with Kokushibo, the most powerful of Muzan's demons, Tokito is severely wounded and Genya has been cut in half— but is still alive! Can his regenerative power heal even this fatal wound? Then the Hashira Himejima and Sanemi square off against Kokushibo and unleash all the skill they have against him. Himejima is blind, but if he can see into the Transparent World, he might have a chance. Who will survive this whirlwind of flashing blades?"-- Provided by publisher.

"After centuries of preparation and training, the Demon Slayer Corps has come face-to-face with their nemesis, Muzan Kibutsuji. It is a desperate battle and several Demon Slayers have already been killed. Tanjiro himself has engaged Muzan, and, despite giving it everything he has, is taken out of the fight! Although severely injured and near death, he sees a vision of his ancestor that may hold the key to finally destroying Muzan! Can Tanjiro recover enough strength to fight Muzan to the finish?" -- Provided by publisher

"In Taisho-era Japan, Tanjiro Kamado is a kindhearted boy who makes a living selling charcoal. But his peaceful life is shattered when a demon slaughters his entire family. His little sister Nezuko is the only survivor, but she has been transformed into a demon herself! Tanjiro sets out on a dangerous journey to find a way to return his sister to normal and destroy the demon who ruined his life … Tanjiro finally chases down the main body of the upper-rank demon Hantengu. However, dawn is approaching, and the rising sun is a threat to Nezuko. Tanjiro's concern for his sister is a distraction from the focus he needs to fight Hantengu, and if he hesitates it could be the last mistake he ever makes! Elsewhere, Tamayo ponders the nature of Nezuko's curse and how she could be so different from other demons." -- Provided by publisher

On the very day of his wedding to the beautiful Mercedes, a young merchant sailor named Edmond Dantès is falsely imprisoned for life, laying to waste his plans of marriage and hard-earned fortune. Following several long years in prison he has managed to escape and reinvent himself as the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo. It is the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Count has been plotting his revenge on the three men who had him falsely imprisoned. With a new identity, an incredible education abroad and a vast fortune, he has returned completely unrecognizable to those who had committed their crimes against him.

The Stories of Edgar Allan Poe is a brilliant collection of some of his best-known stories: The Tell Tale Heart (a murder's haunting guilt), The Cask of Amontillado (a story of brilliant revenge), and The Fall of the House of Usher (an ancient house full of very dark secretes). Also included in this collection are The Mask of the Red Death (horrors of 'the Plague'), and the most famous of all his poems: The Raven (a lover's decline into madness). Best read in a dimly-lit room with the curtains drawn, Poe's brilliant works come to life in darkly thrilling ways in this Manga Classic adaptation.

"A brilliant general in the service of Venice, Othello is also the new husband of the adoring— and young— Desdemona, whose innocent hero worship has blossomed into love. But can a beautiful girl, so much younger than her husband, truly be faithful? Othello's trusted ensign Iago seems to think not. Can Othello trust him? Can Othello trust anyone? Manga Classics presents Shakespeare's classic story of love, hate, vengeance, and betrayal, in its full, original glory!" -- Description provided by publisher.

"The long-awaited sequel to the Eisner-nominated Orange! Experience the world of Orange from a whole new perspective, as the fate of the present and future timelines unfolds from the point of view of the ever-cheerful third wheel, Suwa Hiroto. Reuniting years later in college, Suwa and Naho's lives have been forever scarred by their experiences in high school. They say time heals all wounds, but sometimes, time is not enough." -- Provided by publisher.

"Yona finally meets Jaeha, the Green Dragon. Unfortunately, Jaeha has no desire to follow her on her quest! Yona offers to help Jaeha and his fellow pirates, so Captain Gi-gan challenges her with a perilous quest to test her courage." -- Cover.

"In order to free the port town of Awa from an evil tyrant, Yona and her friends team up with Jaeha, the Green Dragon, and his fellow pirates. While Hak and the others are fighting Yang Kum-ji's forces, Yona and Yun infiltrate a human trafficking operation! When the enemy closes in and things look dire, what will Yona do?" -- Page [4] cover.

"Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn takes place two years after Batman: Curse of the White Knight. Azrael has wiped out criminals in Gotham, Jack Napier (formerly The Joker) is dead, Bruce Wayne (Batman) is in prison, and Harley Quinn is adjusting to life as a single mother, raising the twins she had with Jack. But as new villains arise, Harley is forced to dance with madness once again and confront her own past with The Joker and Batman while helping the Gotham City police and an eager young FBI agent uncover the truth behind a series of gruesome murders. This collection also features a chapter from Harley Quinn's newest digital first series, Harley Quinn Black + White + Red, told in a traditional black-and-white format with the color red uniquely shaping Harley Quinn's story." -- Provided by publisher.

"When Sunburst discovers the lost journal of Star Swirl the Bearded, he shares it with Twilight Sparkle. Together, they find out how the sorcerer and several other of Equestria's heroes, known as the Pillars of Old Equestria, sacrificed themselves to defeat the evil Pony of Shadows. After researching more about the heroes' disappearance, Twilight believes that the Pillars are still alive and trapped in limbo and becomes obsessed with trying to free them, but it might not be such a good idea!" -- Provided by publisher

"Nate Adams is just an average kid until the mysterious Whisper gives him the Yo-kai Watch. Now he can see what others cannot: Yo-kai of all shapes and forms! … A mysterious door opens, causing Nate to run into weird and wacky Yo-kai from the past, present and future. Watch as they participate in a battle royale to decide which Yo-kai is the strongest!" -- Provided by publisher.

"Sun dreams of money. Moon dreams of scientific discoveries. When their paths cross with Team Skull, both their plans go awry … Lost in an alternate dimension, Sun and Moon battle to help their new friends defend the eternally dark city of Ultra Megalopolis. But then a betrayal deprives them of their transportation home! Meanwhile, what surprising news does Lillie receive?" -- Provided by publisher

"A fun, action-packed fantasy adventure about a girl, her dog, and magic gone wrong! Quiet … birds … nature … . That's what Aster expects when her parents move their whole family to the middle of nowhere. It's just her (status: super-bored), her mom and dad (status: busy with science), her brother (status: has other plans), and … magic? In her new home, Aster meets a mysterious old woman with a herd of dogs who gives her a canine companion of her own. But when she and her dog Buzz are adventuring in the forest, they run into a trickster spirit who gives Aster three wishes. After wishing for the ability to understand and talk to her dog, she becomes only able to talk in dog language … and the trouble she gets into is just starting. Maybe the middle of nowhere will be more interesting than Aster thought."

"Magic turned Aster's life upside-down— and it's not over! Get ready for more family, more fun, and even more magic in this graphic novel adventure. Moving to the middle of nowhere has been less of a disaster than Aster expected. Her mom's science experiments are actually pretty cool; her dad's cooking has gotten much better; her new dog is possibly the best canine companion anyone could ask for. And she's gotten to save the day— and her family— and the whole valley she lives in— from various magical calamities in what even she has to admit were extremely fun adventures. So now she can have a break, right? Guess what? Oh no; things get even more interesting." -- Description provided by publisher.

"Nyuki is a brand-new honey bee, and she has a lot of questions. Follow her on a lifelong journey as she annoys her sisters, avoids predators, and learns to trust her inner voice as she masters the way of the hive. Includes a section at the end of the book called 'Odds & Ends' with facts and information about bees."--Provided by publisher.

"Sail the Pacific Islands in search of destiny and the demigod Maui in this retelling of Disney Moana. Moana is a spirited teenager who loves the ocean, yet she is forbidden to travel beyond the reef that surrounds her island home of Motunui. But she feels called to something more, and wants to discover who she was meant to be. When darkness begins to consume the island, and nature is out of balance, Moana knows the solution lies beyond the safety of the reef. Following the messages of her ancestors, and with encouragement from the ocean itself, Moana sails into the open sea to find the demigod Maui and right a wrong from his past. Together they face rough waters, monstrous creatures, and the unknown, in a mission to stop the darkness from spreading, and restore life to the islands! Become a master wayfinder in this action-packed story as Moana's love for the sea turns her into a hero among her people, the gods, and the ocean." -- Provided by publisher

The Civil War was the first "modern war." Because of the rapid changes in American society, Abraham Lincoln became president of a divided United States during a period of technological and social revolution. Among the many modern marvels that gave the North an advantage was the telegraph, which Lincoln used to stay connected to the forces in the field in almost real time. No leader in history had ever possessed such a powerful tool to gain control over a fractious situation. An eager student of technology, Lincoln had to learn to use the power of electronic messages. Without precedent to guide him, Lincoln began by reading the telegraph traffic among his generals. Then he used the telegraph to supplement his preferred form of communication-meetings and letters. He did not replace those face-to-face interactions. Through this experience, Lincoln crafted the best way to guide, reprimand, praise, reward, and encourage his commanders in the field. By paying close attention to Lincoln's "lightning messages," we see a great leader adapt to a new medium. No listener of this work of history will be able to miss the contemporary parallels. Watching Lincoln carefully word his messages-and follow up on those words with the right actions-offers a striking example for those who spend their days tapping out notes on computers and BlackBerrys.

Eli Roth explores the dark power and wicked fun of scary movies, the craft that went into making them and the ways that horror films reflect the anxieties of their times. The themes include Houses of Hell, Monsters, Body Horror, Witches, Chilling Children, and Classic Horror. Interviewees include Stephen King, Quentin Tarantino, Jordan Peele and more.

From the Yangtze to the Yellow River, China is traversed by great waterways, which have defined its politics and ways of life for centuries. Water has been so integral to China’s culture, economy, and growth and development that it provides a window on the whole sweep of Chinese history. In The Water Kingdom, renowned writer Philip Ball opens that window to offer an epic and powerful new way of thinking about Chinese civilization.

"Acclaimed fantasy author China Mieville plunges us into the year the world was turned upside down… The renowned fantasy and science fiction writer China Mieville has long been inspired by the ideals of the Russian Revolution and here, on the centenary of the revolution, he provides his own distinctive take on its history. In February 1917, in the midst of bloody war, Russia was still an autocratic monarchy: nine months later, it became the first socialist state in world history. How did this unimaginable transformation take place? How was a ravaged and backward country, swept up in a desperately unpopular war, rocked by not one but two revolutions? This is the story of the extraordinary months between those upheavals, in February and October, of the forces and individuals who made 1917 so epochal a year, of their intrigues, negotiations, conflicts and catastrophes. From familiar names like Lenin and Trotsky to their opponents Kornilov and Kerensky; from the byzantine squabbles of urban activists to the remotest villages of a sprawling empire; from the revolutionary railroad Sublime to the ciphers and static of coup by telegram; from grand sweep to forgotten detail. Historians have debated the revolution for a hundred years, its portents and possibilities: the mass of literature can be daunting. But here is a book for those new to the events, told not only in their historical import but in all their passion and drama and strangeness. Because as well as a political event of profound and ongoing consequence, Mieville reveals the Russian Revolution as a breathtaking story." -- Provided by publisher.

"In The Russian Revolution, historian Sean McMeekin traces the origins and events of the Russian Revolution, which brought an end to Romanov rule and ushered the Bolsheviks into power. Between the dawn of the 20th century and 1920, Russia underwent a complete and irreversible transformation, the effects of which would reverberate throughout the world for decades to come. At the turn of the century, the Russian economy, which still trailed behind Britain, France, Germany, and the U.S., was growing by about 10% annually, and its population had reached 150 million. But by 1920, a new regime was in place, the country was in desperate financial straits, and between 20 and 25 million Russians had died during the Revolution and the Civil War, the Red Terror, and the economic collapse that followed. Still, Bolshevik power remained intact through a remarkable combination of military prowess, violent terror tactics, and the bumbling failures of their opposition. And as McMeekin shows, they were aided at nearly every step by countries like Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland who sought to benefit— politically and economically— from the chaotic changes overtaking the country." -- Provided by publisher.

"New York Times-bestselling author and cultural critic Chuck Klosterman compiles and contextualizes the best of his articles and essays from the past decade. Chuck Klosterman has created an incomparable body of work in books, magazines, newspapers, and on the Web. His writing spans the realms of culture and sports, while also addressing interpersonal issues, social quandaries, and ethical boundaries. Klosterman has written nine previous books, helped found and establish Grantland, served as the New York Times MagazineEthicist, worked on film and television productions, and contributed profiles and essays to outlets such asGQ, Esquire,Billboard, The A.V. Club, andThe Guardian. Chuck Klosterman's tenth book (akaChuck Klosterman X) collects his most intriguing of those pieces, accompanied by fresh introductions and new footnotes throughout. Klosterman presents many of the articles in their original form, featuring previously unpublished passages and digressions. Subjects include Breaking Bad, Lou Reed, zombies, KISS, Jimmy Page, Stephen Malkmus, steroids, Mountain Dew, Chinese Democracy, The Beatles, Jonathan Franzen, Taylor Swift, Tim Tebow, Kobe Bryant, Usain Bolt, Eddie Van Halen, Charlie Brown, the Cleveland Browns, and many more cultural figures and pop phenomena. This is a tour of the past decade from one of the sharpest and most prolific observers of our unusual times"-- Provided by publisher.

Event Begins: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 6:30pm
Location: Museum of Art
Organized By: Spectrum Center

Who are you? What is your story? How do you express yourself? The experiences of Black queer life are reflected in the ways we tell our stories. We will explore a kiki methodology grounded in ballroom culture and Black queer storytelling. Drawing from queer of color critique and narrative construction, kiki methodology engages in three components: Black queer meaning-making, Black queer storytelling, and Black queer artistic expression. Kiki methodology connects envisioning and centering words, feelings, and voices of the Black queer community in the form of storytelling in higher education. We will engage about what is needed to be in queer community and kinship through storytelling.

ABOUT DR. HUTCHINGS
Dr. Quortne R. Hutchings (they, them) is a first-generation college graduate, proud Ronald E. McNair scholar alum, and assistant professor of higher education at Northern Illinois University. Their research primarily focuses on Black gay, bisexual, queer, and non-binary undergraduate and graduate students’ academic and social experiences in higher education, minoritized student affairs professionals’ experiences in student and academic affairs, and supporting students, faculty, and staff navigating substance use and recovery. Their research has been published in the Journal of College Student Development, Departures in Critical Qualitative Research, Journal of Higher Education, and International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education.

TRANS AWARENESS MONTH
Trans Awareness Month is presented by Spectrum Center, and events are presented by units across campus. Find more Trans Awareness Month events at spectrumcenter.umich.edu/trans-awareness-month

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It's that time of year again! Our annual year-end tradition of checking in on previous stories to hear what happened after the microphones stopped running.

We'll hear from a CEO who was trying to get her company out of Russia amidst the war in Ukraine, check in with an organizer who was trying to turn his community into a city, follow-up on our experiment in polling, and get the latest from our record label — Planet Money Records. Plus, we learn of a romance sparked by a podcast episode!

Check out the original stories:

Eagles vs. Chickens
Escape from Russia
A tale of two cityhoods
Planet Money tries election polling
The $100 million deli
Planet Money Records Vol. 1: Earnest Jackson
Planet Money Records Vol. 2: The Negotiation

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Monopoly is one of the best-selling board games in history.

The game's staying power may in part be because of strong American lore — the idea that anyone, with just a little bit of cash, can rise from rags to riches. Mary Pilon, author of The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game.
But there's another origin story – a very different one that promotes a very different image of capitalism. (And with two sets of starkly different rules.) That story shows how a critique of capitalism grew from a seed of an idea in a rebellious young woman's mind into a game legendary for its celebration of wealth at all costs.

This episode was made in collaboration with NPR's Throughline. For more about the origin story of Monopoly, listen to their original episode Do Not Pass Go.

This episode was produced by Emma Peaslee, mastered by Natasha Branch, and edited by Jess Jiang.

The Throughline episode was produced by Rund Abdelfatah, Ramtin Arablouei, Lawrence Wu, Laine Kaplan-Levenson, Julie Caine, Victor Yvellez, Anya Steinberg, Yolanda Sangweni, Casey Miner, Cristina Kim, Devin Katayama, and Amiri Tulloch. It was fact-checked by Kevin Volkl and mixed by Josh Newell.

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When a group of amateur investors rallied around the stock for GameStop back in 2021, the story blew up the internet. News outlets around the world, including us here at Planet Money, rushed in to explain why the stock for this retail video game company was suddenly skyrocketing, at times by as much as 1700% in value, and what that meant for the rest of us.

When movie producer Aaron Ryder saw the GameStop story — an army of scrappy underdogs, banding together to strike back against a financial system they felt was rigged against them — he knew it had the makings for a great movie. The only problem: so did a bunch of other movie producers and Hollywood studios. So Aaron found himself in the middle of a fast and furious race to make the first Game Stop movie.

On today's show, one producer's quest to claim the hottest ticket in Tinseltown and the whole hidden machinery dedicated to turning a news story into box office gold. You'll never read the word 'based on a true story' the same way again.

Today's episode was reported and hosted by Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi. It was produced by Willa Rubin, edited by Jess Jiang, engineered by James Willetts, and fact-checked by Cooper Katz McKim and James Sneed. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.

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It's that time of year again! Our annual year-end tradition of checking in on the stories we've reported and the people we met along the way.

We'll hear from a Hollywood strike captain who tried to pull off one last job, an update from the data detective trying to uncover the truth in academic research, and tribute to a very special member of the Planet Money family.

Check out the original stories:
Vacation, and why the U.S. takes so little of it
The secret entrance that sidesteps Hollywood picket lines
Did two honesty researchers fabricate their data?
Planet Money Records Vol. 1: Earnest Jackson, Planet Money Records Vol. 2: The Negotiation & Planet Money Records Vol. 3: Making a Hit

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For thousands of years, getting light was a huge hassle. You had to make candles from scratch. This is not as romantic as it sounds. You had to get a cow, raise the cow, feed the cow, kill the cow, get the fat out of the cow, cook the fat, dip wicks into the fat. All that--for not very much light. Now, if we want to light a whole room, we just flip a switch.

The history of light explains why the world today is the way it is. It explains why we aren't all subsistence farmers, and why we can afford to have artists and massage therapists and plumbers. (And, yes, people who make podcasts about the history of light.) The history of light is the history of economic growth--of things getting faster, cheaper, and more efficient.

On today's show: How we got from dim little candles made out of cow fat, to as much light as we want at the flick of a switch.

Today's show was hosted by Jacob Goldstein and David Kestenbaum. It was originally produced by Caitlin Kenney and Damiano Marchetti. Today's rerun was produced by James Sneed, and edited by Jenny Lawton. It was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. Engineering by Valentina Rodríguez Sánchez. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.

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Planet Money Summer School is back for eight weeks. Join as we travel back in time to find the origins of our economic way of life. Today we ask surprisingly hard question: What is money? And where did it come from? We travel to a remote island in the Pacific Ocean for the answer. Then we'll visit France in the year 1714, where a man on the lam tries to revolutionize the country's entire monetary system, and comes impressively close to the modern economy we have today, before it all falls apart. Check out our Summer School video cheat sheet on the origins of money at the Planet Money TikTok.

The series is hosted by Robert Smith and produced by Audrey Dilling. Our project manager is Devin Mellor. This episode was edited by Planet Money Executive Producer Alex Goldmark and fact-checked by Sofia Shchukina.

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