Chapters 1 & 2 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 1: An Ancient Mystery, Nouriel asks what Ana would think about an ancient mystery that holds the secret to America's future. Aware that Ana is not known for wasting time or suffering fools, Nouriel carefully says that this ancient mystery holds the key to America's future and is not fiction. Ana is skeptical, but Nouriel insists it is real. Her expression becoming disengaged, Ana claims she is very busy, but Nouriel begs her to listen while going on the possibility that he speaks the truth and the truth is important enough to warrant her time. Agreeing to temporarily indulge him, Ana leads him to the conference room where Nouriel claims the ancient mystery explains everything that has happened, is happening and will happen, from 9/11 to the economy, the war in Iraq, and Wall Street's collapse; it also holds the key...