The History of Money

In 'The History of Money,' Jack Weatherford embarks on a fascinating journey through the evolution of currency, revealing how it has shaped societies and economies across the globe. From ancient barter systems to modern electronic transactions, he uncovers the profound impact of money on human interactions and political power. The book challenges the notion of what money truly is and provides thought-provoking insights into its moral and ethical implications. Weatherford's storytelling intertwines history with economic theory, making complex ideas accessible and engaging. Prepare to rethink your understanding of money as you explore its intriguing past and discover its potential future.

By Jack Weatherford

Published: 1998

"Money is not just a medium of exchange; it is a powerful social contract that shapes our relationships and defines our civilizations."

The History of MoneyBook binding

Start Listening

0:000:00

What Readers Say About This Book

“If you’re interested in the revolutionary transformation of the meaning and use of money, this is the book to read!”—Charles R. Schwab Cultural anthropologist Jack Weatherford traces our relationship with money, from primitive man’s cowrie shells to the electronic cash card, from the markets of Timbuktu to the New York Stock Exchange. The History of Money explores how money and the myriad forms of exchange have affected humanity, and how they will continue to shape all aspects of our lives—economic, political, and personal. “A fascinating book about the force that makes the world go round—the dollars, pounds, francs, marks, bahts, ringits, kwansas, levs, biplwelles, yuans, quetzales, pa’angas, ngultrums, ouguiyas, and other 200-odd brand names that collectively make up the mysterious thing we call money.”—Los Angeles Times

Mike & Casey Show Logo

The Mike & Casey Show

Dive into captivating book discussions with our expert hosts

Key Points from The History of Money

About the Author

J

Jack Weatherford

Jack Weatherford is a distinguished American anthropologist and author, renowned for his contributions to the understanding of Native American cultures and the Mongol Empire. He is best known for his works including 'Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World,' 'The Secret History of the Mongol Queens,' and 'Indian Givers: If the Indians Had Not Given America.' Weatherford's writing style is characterized by a captivating narrative voice that expertly blends historical fact with engaging storytelling, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience. Through his research and writing, he has shed light on the significant impact of indigenous cultures and the historical figures that shaped them.

Book Details

Key information about the book.

Authors
Jack Weatherford
Published
March 1998
Publisher
Currency
ISBN
0609801724
Language
English
Pages
305
Genres
FinanceBusiness and EconomicsSocial CommentaryEconomic Policy

Purchase Options

Amazon logoBuy on Amazon
BookShop logoBuy via BookShop

Support local bookstores: BookShop gives a portion of each sale to independent bookshops!

Similar books you might like →

Dave Ramsey's Complete Guide to MoneyBook binding

Dave Ramsey's Complete Guide to Money

Dave Ramsey

NudgeBook binding

Nudge

Richard H. Thaler, Cass R. Sunstein

The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday MachineBook binding

The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine

Michael Lewis

Liar's PokerBook binding

Liar's Poker

Michael Lewis

Black EdgeBook binding

Black Edge

Sheelah Kolhatkar

The Essays of Warren BuffettBook binding

The Essays of Warren Buffett

Lawrence A. Cunningham, Warren E. Buffett

A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing (Ninth Edition)Book binding

A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing (Ninth Edition)

Burton G. Malkiel

FiascoBook binding

Fiasco

Frank Partnoy

Billion Dollar WhaleBook binding

Billion Dollar Whale

Tom Wright, Bradley Hope

The Lords of Easy MoneyBook binding

The Lords of Easy Money

Christopher Leonard

The Big ShortBook binding

The Big Short

Michael Lewis

The Economics of Microfinance, second editionBook binding

The Economics of Microfinance, second edition

Jonathan Morduch, Beatriz Armendariz

Memos from the ChairmanBook binding

Memos from the Chairman

Alan C. Greenberg

DebtBook binding

Debt

David Graeber

Home EconomicsBook binding

Home Economics

Wendell Berry

An Empire of WealthBook binding

An Empire of Wealth

John Steele Gordon

Profit FirstBook binding

Profit First

Mike Michalowicz

Alpha GirlsBook binding

Alpha Girls

Julian Guthrie

The Ascent of MoneyBook binding

The Ascent of Money

Niall Ferguson

Keeping At ItBook binding

Keeping At It

Paul Volcker, Christine Harper

A Piece of the ActionBook binding

A Piece of the Action

Joe Nocera

Take on the StreetBook binding

Take on the Street

Arthur Levitt

The Statistical Mechanics of Financial MarketsBook binding

The Statistical Mechanics of Financial Markets

Johannes Voit

The New Financial OrderBook binding

The New Financial Order

Robert J. Shiller

When the Wolves BiteBook binding

When the Wolves Bite

Scott Wapner

100 Minds That Made the MarketBook binding

100 Minds That Made the Market

Kenneth L. Fisher

A Short History of Financial EuphoriaBook binding

A Short History of Financial Euphoria

John Kenneth Galbraith

The Only Game in TownBook binding

The Only Game in Town

Mohamed A. El-Erian

Angel InvestingBook binding

Angel Investing

David S. Rose

Once in GolcondaBook binding

Once in Golconda

John Brooks

Take your reading experience to the next level

Download our mobile app to enjoy your favorite books on the go. Get access to exclusive features, offline listening, and personalized recommendations.

Download on the App Store

Book Collections you might like →

Charlie Munger's Book Recommendations

Charlie Munger's Book Recommendations

Charlie Munger is an American investor, businessman, and philanthropist, best known as the vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, where he partners with Warren Buffett. Renowned for his insights on investment strategies and mental models, Munger has significantly influenced the world of finance. His notable literary contributions include "Poor Charlie's Almanack," a compilation of his speeches and writings that distill his wisdom on decision-making and business principles. Munger's work emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary thinking and continuous learning. Beyond his financial acumen, he is celebrated for his charitable efforts, particularly in education and healthcare.

View Collection
Ana Fabrega's Book Recommendations

Ana Fabrega's Book Recommendations

Ana Lorena Fabrega is an innovative educator and author passionate about reimagining education. Known as “Ms. Fab,” she is the Chief Evangelist at Synthesis, an education startup inspired by the problem-solving and collaboration model used at SpaceX. She advocates for alternative learning methods, encouraging curiosity and creativity in students. Ana's work emphasizes the importance of engaging young learners in real-world challenges and critical thinking. She also shares insights on education reform through her popular newsletter, Fab Fridays.

View Collection
Changpeng Zhao's Book Recommendations

Changpeng Zhao's Book Recommendations

Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as "CZ," is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency world and the founder and CEO of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. Although not a traditional literary figure, Zhao has significantly contributed to the understanding and proliferation of blockchain technology through numerous articles, interviews, and public speaking engagements. His insights and leadership have been instrumental in shaping modern digital finance. Zhao's journey from coding at Bloomberg to creating Binance has been documented in various publications, shedding light on the transformative potential of cryptocurrencies. Through his work, CZ continues to influence both the financial and technological landscapes globally.

View Collection
Bill Gates's Book Recommendations

Bill Gates's Book Recommendations

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, is a pioneering figure in the tech industry, having played a key role in the personal computer revolution. His work at Microsoft, particularly the development of Windows, transformed software and computing globally. Beyond his technology contributions, Gates is also a prolific author, with notable works such as "The Road Ahead" and "Business @ the Speed of Thought," which offer insights into the future of technology and business. Additionally, his philanthropic efforts through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have had a profound impact on global health, education, and poverty. Gates continues to influence both technology and literature with his forward-thinking perspectives and innovative ideas.

View Collection
Alfred Lin's Book Recommendations

Alfred Lin's Book Recommendations

Alfred Lin is a venture capitalist and partner at Sequoia Capital, where he focuses on investments in consumer internet, enterprise, and mobile companies. Lin is known for his early investments in companies like Airbnb and DoorDash, helping them grow into major global brands. Before joining Sequoia, Lin was an executive at Zappos, where he worked closely with CEO Tony Hsieh to develop the company’s innovative culture and customer service model. Lin’s expertise in scaling businesses and his strategic vision have made him one of the most respected venture capitalists in Silicon Valley.

View Collection

Money is not just a medium of exchange; it is a powerful social contract that shapes our relationships and defines our civilizations.

The History of Money

By Jack Weatherford

Frequently Asked Questions