Sign-In
Cart
A Modern Day Tontine
Paperback
Please select the version of book you would like to purchase.
ISBN13: 9798306914114
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Jan 13 2025
Pages: 174
Weight: 0.39
Height: 0.37 Width: 5.00 Depth: 8.00
Language: English
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Jan 13 2025
Pages: 174
Weight: 0.39
Height: 0.37 Width: 5.00 Depth: 8.00
Language: English
In high school, I recall reading a book published in 1955 by Thomas B. Costain, The Tontine. The story takes place in 19th-century Europe. It was about a group of people who put money in a notoriously risky investment scheme called a tontine. Back in those days this type of device was used by governments as a means of raising money.
So, how did a tontine work? A group of investors of varying means and backgrounds would contribute equal amounts of cash to a pool, the total of which would be given to the last participant who survived. Of course, over the years, the government agency holding the funds had exclusive use of the money. This type of arrangement led to intrigue and crime, including murder, as the participants schemed to be the 'last man standing.' If by some circumstance, and perhaps with a bit of help from the government agency, the last man standing died before payment was issued, the government agency holding the funds got to keep all the money.
Sometime after the 19th Century, tontines in their original form, were deemed illegal. An annuity type tontine is still allowed in Europe. I wonder what would happen if someone tried something similar to the original tontine in our time? Lets take a look.
Sometime after the 19th Century, tontines in their original form, were deemed illegal. An annuity type tontine is still allowed in Europe. I wonder what would happen if someone tried something similar to the original tontine in our time? Lets take a look.
Also from
Brickner, George
Also in
Mystery & Thriller
The Underworld U.S.A. Trilogy, Volume I: American Tabloid, the Cold Six Thousand; Introduction by Thomas Mallon
Ellroy, James
Hardcover
$33.25
Coffin Road: An Utterly Gripping Crime Thriller from the Author of the China Thrillers
May, Peter
Paperback
From $9.99
Sabine's Notebook: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Continues
Bantock, Nick
Hardcover
$10.99
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Movie Tie-In Edition): Book 1 of the Millennium Trilogy
Larsson, Stieg
Paperback
$9.99
The Golden Mean: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Concludes
Bantock, Nick
Hardcover
$9.99
Big Little Truths: Reese's Book Club: A Novel: The Sequel to Big Little Lies
Moriarty, Liane
Hardcover
$30.60
The Pirate Queen: A Novel from the New York Times Bestselling Author of the Frozen River
Lawhon, Ariel
Hardcover
$28.80
The Altar of Pergamon: The Mystery of the Dark Angel and the Future of the World
Cahn, Jonathan
Hardcover
$28.49