The Ascent of Money

The Ascent of Money is a magisterial and entertaining account of the origins and history of money from ancient times to the present day. Charting the ascent of currencies through five millennia, Ferguson shows how control over the means of exchange—beginning with tally sticks and culminating in electronic bank transfers—has underpinned economic development, political power, warfare and government itself. From ancient Mesopotamia to today's Great Recession, this is an exhilarating tale for every reader who wants to better understand the world in which we live.