The Library of Mistakes

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Aug 2026

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Based in Edinburgh, the Library of Mistakes is a free public library designed to improve understanding of finance, one mistake at a time. In this podcast series the Library's Keeper, Professor Russell Napier, speaks to leading financial history authors around the world, with Fraser Allen & Leila Johnston presenting an additional thread of episodes called Shelf Life. Series produced by Fraser Allen.

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August 17, 202637 min

EP 65: What Does Shareholder Wealth Creation Tell Investors? (with Sandy Nairn & Michael O'Connell)

Many of our listeners are interested in what financial history can tell us about the returns of financial assets – and particularly of equities. We are therefore delighted as Sandy Nairn and Michael O’Connell join Russell Napier to discuss their new paper for the University of Strathclyde – ‘What Does Shareholder Wealth Creation Tell Investors?’. Michael is an Accountancy and Finance Researcher at the University of Strathclyde. Sandy is Executive Director of Global Opportunities Trust plc, and was previously Chairman of Templeton Global Equity Group and Chief Investment Officer of Scottish Widows Investment Partnership. You can download the full report here: www.libraryofmistakes.com/blog/what-does-shareholder-wealth-creation-tell-investors (This episode was recorded around an office table during the Edinburgh Festival, and excitable pedestrians in the street outside joined in the fun by providing occasional background noises.)

July 31, 202650 min

EP 64: The Unanchored Central Banker (with Manoj Pradhan and Charles Goodhart)

Manoj and Charles join Russell Napier to discuss their view that "real interest rates will rise because increasingly ageing societies will create a persistent and still-underappreciated deterioration in the government’s fiscal position". Can AI offset these demographic headwinds? The pair aren't convinced – suggesting that the glory days of central banks may be behind us. Lauded by Russell for once again "annoying the right people in the right places", he describes the book as "a quick read that makes you think for a long time". www.libraryofmistakes.com

July 24, 202629 min

EP 63: Mistakes On Maps (with Tom Paper) Shelf Life #17

As the Library of Mistakes prepares to host its first Edinburgh Fringe performance, we speak to the show's creator, Tom Paper. Mistakes On Maps is a witty, visually immersive journey through 20 historical maps, each featuring a fascinating flaw. Encounter sea monsters in the 1539 Carta Marina, the phantom continent of Terra Australis, California drawn as an island, the Open Polar Sea, canals on Mars, and the Mountains of Kong. Were these errors accidents, ambition, propaganda or fear of empty space? Along the way, see how trade, empire, faith and imagination bent geography. Through projected maps, story and music, this show reveals how cartographers got it wrong, and what their errors reveal about us. This episode was presented by Fraser Allen & Leila Johnston Mistakes On Maps runs every day at the Library of Mistakes in Edinburgh from 7-30 August 2026 inclusive (except 17, 18, 24 and 25 August). For more information and tickets, see: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/mistakes-on-maps

July 17, 20261 hr 14 min

EP 62: Kaboom! Does history show that market valuations for AI are nuts?

LIVE RECORDING Welcome to a special episode of the podcast recorded live at the Library of Mistakes and featuring a debate between two distinguished former investment practitioners – Andrew Milligan and Sandy Nairn. The question they debate is: 'Does history shows that current market valuations for AI are nuts?' Andrew, with his experience as a global strategist over many years, believes their value might be overextended, while Sandy, with his keen knowledge of technology, believes AI could herald a seismic change that might justify some of the excitement. Listen in and join in the fun, ably hosted by Robbie Mochrie and compered by David Clarke, with plenty of lively contributions from the floor. You can also watch this debate on our YouTube channel, as well as many other fascinating lectures.

June 19, 202644 min

EP 61: We Know You Can Pay a Million (with Anja Shortland) Shelf Life #16

We have a real treat for you this time as we speak to financial crime expert Anja Shortland. After books on art theft and kidnapping, Anja has now turned her attention to ransomware, with her latest title We Know You Can Pay a Million – and offers fascinating glimpses into the business practices of the international criminals involved. Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston also hear from Future Asset's Jemma McLean about further celebrations of the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, while David Clarke bids a fond farewell to our brilliant Librarian Helen Williams. www.libraryofmistakes.com

June 9, 20261 hr 0 min

EP 60: Blue Blood (with Robert Pickering)

Blue Blood tells the story of Cazenove & Co., the prestigious stockbroking firm founded in 1823. Former CEO Robert Pickering reveals what happened in 2000 when the firm decided to abandon its traditional partnership structure, raise external capital and prepare for a stock market flotation. He then describes to Russell Napier the difficult years that followed as the firm reshaped its business, entered a joint venture with J.P. Morgan and ultimately moved towards a full takeover by the US banking giant (and what it felt like when the two working cultures collided). www.libraryofmistakes.com

May 27, 202645 min

EP 59: How to Get Rich the American Way (with Joseph S. Moore)

There are plenty of books suggesting ways in which wealthy people can invest their money, but very few for people who lack the investment funds in the first place. After suffering his own financial challenges, US academic Joseph S. Moore dipped into history to conduct a series of experiments in how to get the rich 'the American way'. That resulted in a funny, eye-opening and optimistic book, sparking an illuminating discussion between Joseph and Russell Napier for our latest episode. www.libraryofmistakes.com

May 18, 202631 min

EP 58: Observatoire des Erreurs (with François Boutin-Dufresne) Shelf Life #15

Join us in Montreal as we speak with François Boutin-Dufresne who, together with Karl Gauvin, is co-founder of the Observatoire des Erreurs – Canada's very own version of the Library of Mistakes. Inspired by a trip to Edinburgh, the Observatoire embraces the same ethos as the Library of Mistakes, and joins other extensions of our activity in Pune (India) and Lausanne (Switzerland). The Observatoire is currently an online community but is hoping to establish a physical presence – and François is a really interesting listen. We also hear from Didasko CEO David Clarke on summer activites in Edinburgh, while our Librarian, Helen Williams, dips into books about the oil industry. Enjoy! Presented by Leila Johnston & Fraser Allen. www.libraryofmistakes.com

April 20, 202658 min

EP 57: The Future Asset Takeover! (with Grace London) Shelf Life #14

Welcome to a very special episode in which the talented young women of Future Asset stage a takeover of the podcast. Recorded at the annual Future Asset finals in Edinburgh (at which teams of girls from Scottish schools compete to present the most effective investment pitch), we discover why Future Asset is so valuable in encouraging young women to consider a career in investment and finance. This episode is presented by Future Asset alumnus Grace London, who spoke to the charity's Communication Coordinator Jemma McLean, this year's winning team from Hamilton Grammar School, fellow alumnus Jenna Donnelly (now a Financial Analysis Apprentice at M&G), and one of the competition judges, Mandy Rawlinson – Head of UK & EMEA at Aberdeen Investments. Find out more at www.futureasset.org.uk www.libraryofmistakes.com

April 10, 202646 min

EP 56: Money Beyond Borders (with Barry Eichengreen)

Welcome to a very special episode of the podcast, as we hear from eminent economic historian and prolific author Barry Eichengreen. Barry is the man who inspired our very own Russell Napier to realise that he could learn much more from the history of finance than he could from books on economic theory. That 'eureka' moment was inspired by Barry's first book, Golden Fetters – The Gold Standard and the Great Depression, but in this episode the pair discuss Barry's latest work, Money Beyond Borders – Global Currencies from Croesus to Crypto. As Russell dials in from a trip to the north of Scotland to speak to the California-based professor, listen in for fascinating insights into international currencies, and mounting challenges to the dominance of the US dollar. Produced by Fraser Allen. www.libraryofmistakes.com