A Brief History of Money
4,000 Years of Markets, Currencies, Debt and Crisis
In short
A Brief History of Money is a book by David Orrell, an applied mathematician, that traces money from early barter and cowrie shells to the boom and bust cycles of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Readers get a plain account of how money systems grew, how they have repeatedly run into crisis, and why money carries such emotional weight.
- Author
- David Orrell
- First published
- 2020
- Publisher
- Welbeck Publishing
- Pages
- 160
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781787394452
- Genres
- History, Business & Money
About the book
What do cowrie shells, ankle bones, paper cards, cigarettes and digital databases all have in common? At some time, they have been used as a form of money.
Like sex or power, money is a force rarely discussed openly. The human race strives for financial stability and security, but each time we appear to reach a new plateau of prosperity, it often proves surprisingly ephemeral. The financial system has a habit of throwing a spanner in the works, often with catastrophic results both for businesses and individuals alike.
A Brief History of Money traces the role, growth and impact of the substance that plays such a huge role in our lives, whether we have it or we don’t. Author David Orrell explores and analyzes the global financial system, from the earliest barter exchange between strangers to the boom and bust that characterize twentieth and twenty-first century economics, all while investigating the curiously emotional power of the most abstract, unpredictable, creative and volatile of substances.
David Orrell is an applied mathematician and author of several books on economics, including Economyths and Quantum Economics, and is the author of The Evolution of Money.
Who it's for
Anyone curious about how money and financial crises work, from general readers to students who are new to economics. It suits people who want a broad overview of money's long history rather than a technical guide.
Key themes
- Barter and early exchange
- Currencies through history
- Debt and credit
- Boom and bust cycles
- Financial crises
- Emotional power of money
Questions about A Brief History of Money
What is A Brief History of Money about?
It traces the role and growth of money over about 4,000 years, from early barter to the financial booms and busts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It covers markets, currencies, debt and crisis.
Who wrote A Brief History of Money?
David Orrell wrote it. He is an applied mathematician who has also written books on economics, including Economyths and Quantum Economics.
Is A Brief History of Money worth reading?
It is worth reading if you want a broad, accessible overview of how money systems have developed and failed over time. Whether it is right for you depends on how much you enjoy history and economics.
Who is A Brief History of Money for?
It is for readers interested in money, finance and economic history who want a wide-ranging introduction. It does not require prior knowledge of economics.
