In an era when Columbus was sailing the world's oceans and the power of kings was nearly limitless, the Augsburg merchant Jakob Fugger laid the foundation for his incredible wealth. Innovative ideas, negotiation skills, and above all, nerve characterized the banker who secured the Pope's permission for interest-bearing loans. Greg Steinmetz presents Jakob Fugger like never before, revealing the methods Fugger used to build his gigantic empire, ensnare princes and royal houses in dependency, and significantly shape European politics. A unique perspective on the first global player in history. To understand our modern capitalism, one must understand Jakob Fugger.