Skip to main content
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

How Money Became God: Rethinking Wealth and Greed

Virtual event Presented with Library Speakers Consortium

2026-11-11 13:00:00 2026-11-11 14:00:00 America/Chicago How Money Became God: Rethinking Wealth and Greed Virtual -

Wednesday, November 11
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Join us for a virtual conversation with veteran journalist and financial expert Paul Vigna as he discusses his book "The Almightier: How Money Became God, Greed Became Virtue, and Debt Became Sin."

Join us for a virtual conversation with veteran journalist and financial expert Paul Vigna as we examine his provocative book, The Almightier: How Money Became God, Greed Became Virtue, and Debt Became Sin, in which he explores the question: how did money go from a tool of commerce into the dominant faith of modern society? 

In The Almightier Vigna takes readers on a sweeping historical journey from Renaissance Florence to today’s global financial markets, revealing how wealth accumulation evolved from a moral failing into an unspoken civic virtue. He uncovers the forgotten history of money, tracing the uneasy and often accidental alliance between wealth and religion as it developed from ancient city-states to today’s secular world, where religious devotion has receded and greed has stepped in to fill the void. 

Through engaging anecdotes, original research, and fresh perspectives on the causes of the many challenges we face today, Vigna makes a compelling argument that money has no power apart from the power we give it.

Register today to learn more about how devotion to money has replaced religion as the foundation of our society.

About the Author:

Paul Vigna is an author, journalist, editor, and speaker, with a particular focus on capital markets and cryptocurrencies. He is the author of Guts: The Anatomy of The Walking Dead and coauthor of The Age of Cryptocurrency and The Truth Machine. For 25 years, he was a reporter and editor for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal, pioneering coverage of the cryptocurrency sector. He has appeared on CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox, and PBS.

Presented with Library Speakers Consortium.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Explore our library of virtual events with bestselling authors and thought leaders here.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Books & Authors |

TAGS: | Virtual Events | Author Events |

Highland Park Public Library

Phone: 847-432-0216

Hours
About the library

Opening doors to information and imagination.

 

 

Upcoming events

Skip Upcoming Events widget
Fri, Oct 16, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
The Illinois State Treasurer's Office will show you how to use their unclaimed property service to get money back! ¡Aprenda a utilizar el servicio de bienes no reclamados para recuperar su dinero!

Fri, Oct 16, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Mon, Oct 19, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
350 pieces. One hour. Do you have what it takes to win? Register with a friend!/ 350 piezas. Una hora. ¿Tienes lo necesario para ganar? ¡Regístrate con un amigo!  
This event is full

Tue, Oct 20, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
The Illinois State Treasurer's Office will show you how to use their unclaimed property service to get money back! ¡Aprenda a utilizar el servicio de bienes no reclamados para recuperar su dinero!

Tue, Oct 20, 7:00pm - 8:45pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
The Library Board of Trustees regularly meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., except where indicated otherwise.

Tue, Oct 20, 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Executive Director's Office
Nominating Committee Meeting

Thu, Oct 22, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Thu, Oct 22, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Indian Trail Elementary School - Multipurpose Room
Make beautiful paper marigolds with us; beautiful for display or for Dia de Los Muertos celebrants. Haga bellas cempasüchiles de papel, bellas para exhibir o para celebrar el Día de los Muertos.
This event is full

Thu, Oct 22, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Join us each month to discuss a film and/or film genre. Movies for the program are selected from titles the library has available either via our physical collection or digitally. Also, we have snacks.

Fri, Oct 23, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Sat, Oct 24, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Adult Services
Join us to play board games! Library staff will be available to help you choose a game and learn the rules!

Tue, Oct 27, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual
Join us for a virtual conversation with relationship expert Mark Groves as we discuss his book "Liberated Love: How to Release Codependency, Reduce Conflict, and Create Extraordinary Relationships."Register

Tue, Oct 27, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Love to read? Always looking for book recommendations? Meet fellow bibliophiles at Readers' Round Table! Join us in Room #8.

Wed, Oct 28, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Spencer Weber Waller discusses his new book "Power and Greed" -- part theater history, part business history, and part legal drama that tells the story of the struggle behind the curtain.

Wed, Oct 28, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
Join us for a walk from the library to Memorial Park to explore the ofrenda (a traditional altar honoring loved ones who have died).

Wed, Oct 28, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Design, cut and transfer vinyl to create a unique bookmark that is entirely your own, from start to finish. For ages 13 and older.

Wed, Oct 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Creepy short stories read out loud by your library workers.

Thu, Oct 29, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Thu, Oct 29, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Join Highland Park librarians for a discussion of "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson.

Fri, Oct 30, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Sat, Oct 31, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library
¡Celebren el Día de los Muertos con una caminata familiar desde la biblioteca hasta Memorial Park! Celebrate Día de los Muertos with a family walk from the library to Memorial Park!

Mon, Nov 02, 10:30am - 2:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
Join us to see "Anne Frank The Exhibition" at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Visit a full-scale recreation of Anne Frank's Annex.

Tue, Nov 03, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual
Join us for a virtual event with Asha Frost, Indigenous medicine woman, spiritual mentor, and bestselling author, as she discusses sacred Indigenous teachings. Register

Wed, Nov 04, 11:00am - 9:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
The library will open at 11am on the first Wednesday of each month for staff meetings except December (1st Friday).

Wed, Nov 04, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Make a plant that can last through the winter using an assortment of beads and wire!

Wed, Nov 04, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
The Art Center of Highland Park
Esté grupo de apoyo semanal proporcionará un ambiente seguro para que los asistentes puedan encontrar consuelo y comprensión al reunirse con otras personas que han experimentado una pérdida similar.

Thu, Nov 05, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Fri, Nov 06, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Sat, Nov 07, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Curt's Cafe in Highland Park
Bring a craft project to work on and meet fellow crafters in your community. This program is suitable for adults.

Sat, Nov 07, 9:30am - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
Join us for a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry to experience "Anne Frank The Exhibition." Registration and signed permission slip required.

Tue, Nov 10, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Registration required. Join us in the Brenner Room for a discussion on "London Falling" by Patrick Radden Keefe, led by Judy Levin.

Wed, Nov 11, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual
Join us for a virtual conversation with veteran journalist and financial expert Paul Vigna as he discusses his book "The Almightier: How Money Became God, Greed Became Virtue, and Debt Became Sin." Register

Rescheduled
Wed, Nov 11, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
New date Wednesday, November 04, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
Make a plant that can last through the winter using an assortment of beads and wire!

Wed, Nov 11, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Adult Services
It's the 100th anniversary of Route 66! Celebrate the centennial with a Route 66 themed key chain. Choose from a selection of images and heat press it onto a key chain. All supplies will be provided.

Wed, Nov 11, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
The Art Center of Highland Park
Esté grupo de apoyo semanal proporcionará un ambiente seguro para que los asistentes puedan encontrar consuelo y comprensión al reunirse con otras personas que han experimentado una pérdida similar.

Thu, Nov 12, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Learn about traditional Japanese bookbinding while creating handmade notebooks that make lovely keepsakes.

Thu, Nov 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Executive Director's Office
B&F Committee Meeting

Fri, Nov 13, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Sat, Nov 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library
Join us for a concert of traditional Korean music and dance. Instruments such as the daegeum, gayageum, and janggu will be featured. Event takes place at The Art Center Highland Park.