What do cacao beans, cowrie shells, paper cards, cigarettes and digital
databases all have in common? At some time, they have been used as a
form of money. Money is an essential aspect of everyday life and
something that we usually take for granted until it all goes wrong.
This book traces the role, growth and impact of money and finance on
individuals, human civilisation and the type of economy we live in. The
financial history of the world reads like a fascinating novel with
innumerable twists and turns. We strive for financial stability and
security, yet this often proves surprisingly ephemeral. Just as we hope
we have reached a new plateau of prosperity, the financial system has a
habit of throwing a wrench in the works, forcing us to change and adapt
to new circumstances. This book traces the financial system from its
birth as a credit system in ancient Mesopotamia, to the financial
revolutions of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Why did the American forces desperately try to destroy money during the
American Revolution? Why do we tend to succumb to boom and busts? And if
inflation is bad, why is deflation even worse? Also, the book looks at
the effect money has on ourselves. Does money make us irrational? Is
money really the root of all evil, or should we celebrate money for its
potential to create prosperity and overcome poverty?
