Publisher's Synopsis
Until the 19th century, 'risk' was a specialized term: it was the commodity exchanged in a marine insurance contract. 'Freaks of Fortune' tells how the modern concept of risk emerged in the United States.
About the Publisher
Founded in 1913, Harvard University Press is the publisher of such classic works as John Rawls's A Theory of Justice, E. O. Wilson's On Human Nature, and Helen Vendler's Dickinson. The Press continues to be a leading publisher of convergent works in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, while also taking bold steps in exciting new directions, from innovative partnerships, to a diverse translation program, to an expanded commitment to facilitating scholarly conversation around the globe.
