In 2012, Ben Bernanke, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, gave a series of lectures about the Federal Reserve and the 2008 financial crisis, as part of a course at George Washington University on the role of the Federal Reserve in the economy. He revealed important background and insights into the central bank's crucial actions during the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, and offers insight into the guiding principles behind the Fed's activities and the lessons to be learned from its handling of recent economic challenges.