Money
A Story of Humanity
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Money
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Narrated by:
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David McWilliams
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By:
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David McWilliams
About this listen
THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
SHORTLISTED FOR THE AN POST IRISH BOOK AWARDS 2024 NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR
A WATERSTONES NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
AN ECONOMIST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
A FINANCIAL TIMES ECONOMICS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
A PROSPECT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
‘A breathtaking, expansive and imaginative ride through the history and future of money from an author who truly understands it’ PROFESSOR BRIAN COX
‘Exceptional’ FINANCIAL TIMES
‘A cracking book that is as enjoyable as it is readable’ PETER FRANKOPAN
‘Equally entertaining and insightful’ YANIS VAROUFAKIS
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MONEY.
The object of our desires.
The engine of our genius.
Humanity’s greatest invention.
Money is everything. It brings freedom and it takes it away. It inspires and corrupts us. But what is money? Is it the main thing holding us back from utopia or is it the one constant that’s driven us to success?
In his illuminating, entertaining and often surprising book, economist David McWilliams charts the relationship between humans and money – from clay tablets in Mesopotamia to coins in Ancient Greece, from mathematics in the medieval Arab world to the French Revolution, and from the emergence of the US dollar right up to today’s cryptocurrency. Along the way, we meet a host of characters who have innovated with money, disrupting society and transforming the way we live. Like humanity, money is ever changing, adapting to its time and circumstances. The question is, over the last 5000 years, have we changed money or has money changed us?
Money tells an astonishing new story of our species. Taking the reader on an epic journey through the history of money, McWilliams reveals its fundamental role in our society.
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‘An impressive journey that fizzes with facts’ ECONOMIST
‘An eye-opening history of what makes the world go round’ EVENING STANDARD
‘David McWilliams is the best explainer of economics I know’ SIMON KUPER
‘Compelling, funny and original’ KATJA HOYER
‘If, as David McWilliams complains, economists take the fun out of money, then he is the exception that proves the rule: a man who could not write a boring sentence if he tried’ TOM HOLLAND©2024 David McWilliams (P)2024 Simon & Schuster, UK
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What listeners say about Money
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 01-10-24
Witty and engaging
David McWilliams has a wonderful, relaxed conversational style that amplifies the clever narrative. He weaves storytelling, history and personality into what would otherwise be a complex topic.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 01-10-24
Fascinating perspective and captivating stories
David McWilliams unique blend of storytelling and economics paints a very enjoyable examination of the origins and evolution of money.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Peter Gallagher
- 13-09-24
This book is destined for greatness
I have never enjoyed learning as much about a topic as I have with this book! It treats what can be a ‘dry’ topic in a particularly and uniquely amusing and entertaining way. I’m left wondering why hasn’t been treated with such a book long before now. Love it!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 23-09-24
Amazing!
Excellent book, I am already on my second listening round as I didn't catch everything first time! I have read other books about the history of money but this one is much more detailed and entertaining!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 08-11-24
excellent
really enjoyable. I would expect nothing less from David Mcwilliams. The further it goes on the more interesting it gets.
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- Hans Stolte
- 25-11-24
Bitcoin
Tulip time for bitcoin apparently, but not before Musk and Trump endorse it, get your bets in ..
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 13-11-24
Who knew money could be this interesting. (not being sarcastic)
Complex ideas about world of finance made understadable and entertaining, a major achievement for someone like me who usually finds this stuff dull and boring. Its a fresh perspective on historical events through the lense of money. I greatly enjoyed it and the naration is excellent. Very recomended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 16-10-24
A fascinating look at history though the eyes of money.
I paid money to listen to a man discuss money and it was worth every euro. I've listened to Ray Dalio discuss it over the years but McWilliams weaves a colourful amount of history into it and paints a somewhat clearer picture for me. I'm on the fence on his thesis that world events such as the French revolution can be simply boiled down to money at the core but it offers a fresh look at human motivations and behaviour. A very enjoyable read which I tore through.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- michelle mcnicholas
- 21-10-24
great book innovative look at the history of money through civilization in an accessible way.
the authors voice (a bit hoarse) and delivery style (like a lecture) why oh why do authors not pay someone with a lovely easy listening voice to read their works? (could it be money,!). I would love to relistenr to this read by a goof voice actor. maybe for the second edition if there is one. that would widen its appeal.
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- Alexander Sikorsky
- 18-10-24
The best book on money
I've been studying this subject for about a decade now and read quite a few great books on money. However, this one has really opened up my mind to understanding how money works, the role of government, real situation in current fiscal system and the future of money.
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