The History of the Fugger - a historical economic thriller: They were richer and more powerful than the 100 largest corporations of today. They bribed kings, emperors, and even popes long before Lockheed. They financed the war against the Protestants and the conquest of South America. They saved Europe from the Turks and the Habsburgs from downfall. They had rebellious peasants slaughtered and organized the sale of indulgences. They collected the most valuable art treasures and established the first social fund in history. They invented the equation: World history = Money history.