The purpose of the selective bibliography essay is threefold. First, the essay identifies resources that provide a basic understanding of the financial terms and practices, as well as a timeline of events, underlying the financial crisis. Second, the essay identifies the relevant portions of the legislative histories for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as well as resources that highlight the important sections of the law. Finally, the essay discusses some of the authoritative resources that provide information and reports regarding the administration of the laws and their effects.