The economic turmoil of the past year, and especially the past weeks, has left millions of people in Britain feeling anxious and confused. The media coverage, though ubiquitous, is often full of jargon and technical terms, raising more questions than it answers.

There is an urgent need for a book that sets out, clearly and in ordinary language, the shocking events of the recent past and places them in context, explaining why they have happened and what may happen next. Eschewing all jargon except where absolutely necessary (and then explaining it in a glossary)

Hugh Pym and Nick Kochan have written superbly articulate, cogent and helpful answers to the 100 questions people most often ask about the financial crisis.

. What happened? Why?
. How exactly does a bank collapse?
. What is a hedge fund?
. Who is going to benefit from the recent meltdown?
. What effect is the crunch likely to have on the cost of living? House prices?
. Are comparisons with the Great Crash of 1929 justified?