'The emergence of the Euro is the most significant monetary event of the current era. Its international role will be of key importance. In this topical and valuable book, Philipp Hartmann provides an analysis of the role and evolution of the international use of money, for example as a vehicle currency, and then applies such analysis to examine the future ... Read morerole of the euro, notably in relation to the US dollar. This book is both of high academic quality and of practical relevance for the light that it throws on future international monetary issues in general, and on the euro in particular.' Charles Goodhart, London School of Economics and Political Science, and member of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee 'An interesting and innovative study on a very important and topical issue in international finance, the theory of international currencies. It has the potential to become standard reading in international finance in the future. One of the attractions of this book is the combination of theory, empirical evidence, and historical account … Hartmann has a great way of explaining difficult concepts in an accessible manner without putting his readers to sleep … essential for professionals.' Jurgen von Hagen, University of Bonn and Zentrum fur Europaische Intergrationsforschung '[Hartmann's] book stands out for its broad scope and unusual blend of theory, historical and institutional account of financial markets, and empirical evidence. … Overall, Hartmann has written an interesting and innovative study with relevance to both academics and practitioners. … Hartmann's conclusions about the relatively slow pace with which the euro will advance in international financial markets appear to be based on a sound analysis of the trends and characteristics of the different market segments. His observation that the disappearance of intra-European forex transactions by definition will exert a downward influence on the euro's market share initially, is worth stressing. In this respect, Hartmann provides a welcome and needed counterweight to existing overly optimistic forecasts of an increased role of the euro internationally together with an immediate euro appreciation.' De Economist Show Less