A History of Money: From AD 800 [Paperback]

John F Chown (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415137292 | ISBN-13: 978-0415137294 | Publication Date: February 1, 1997 | Edition: New edition

This book presents a detailed and surprising history of money from Charlemagne's reform in approximately AD800 to the end of the Silver Wars in 1896. It also summarizes twentieth century developments and places them in their historical context.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'John Chown has written an intelligent guide to the history of money. In each section his review of the past suggests to him analogies with antecedents as well as current money experiences.' - Anna Schwartz, Economic Affairs

'A fascinating and readable history.' - Central Banking

About the Author

John F. Chown is Company Director of J. F. Chown Ltd., a company specializing in international tax. He is also the co-founder and an Executive Committee member of the Institute for Fiscal Studies. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; New edition edition (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415137292
• ISBN-13: 978-0415137294
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,751,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining but not a reference, December 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A History of Money: From AD 800 (Paperback)

Chown, a practitioner instead of an academic, is wise and pithy, covering a lot of territory from Charlemagne to the end of the 19th century. He wisely gives equal time to coins, paper money, and bank deposits. He knows the academic literature, but writes mainly for educated laypeople. The book is fun to read, but is too short and anecdotal to be a reference. But you will learn that many 20th century controversies in monetary affairs go back to the Middle Ages and Renaissance. See how playing sleight of hand with banks and paper money has proven seductive for generations. The terminology changes, but not the dilemmas and temptations. And wisdom is likewise of long date, namely the work of Richard Cantillon around 1720, David Hume around 1750, and Henry Thornton in 1802.

Better books in this vein include Jim Grant's Money of the Mind", and Glyn Davies's "A History of Money from Ancient Times to the Present Day." Somebody should also bring Lloyd Mints's "History of Banking Theory" back in print.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Narrative about First Principles of Money, March 29, 2011

By 

Ronald Grey - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Money: From AD 800 (Hardcover)

Making smart economic choices is essential to living a healthy and successful life. But where can you find the keys to money success? The answer: in understanding the concepts, practices, and history of money from first principles.

"A History of Money" is your opportunity to finally replace misconceptions about money with hard facts in a narrative you can understand. In 29 in-depth chapters by economist John Chown, explore the first principles of money and get a narrative guide to making smart choices in the economy.

In the 29 chapters organized into three parts - Money as Coin [from 800 AD], Credit & Banking [1100 to 1847], Inconvertible Paper Money [to current] - you'll learn: how money works in a 'simple' system with only silver coins; why banking and credit developed to supplement what basically became a silver/gold, or bimetallic, system; how the greater part of money supply in most countries now consists of inconvertible paper, or fiat, money.

Crafted with the needs of individual people like you and me in mind, "A History of Money" is the best narrative about your economic health - one that will educate you, motivate you, and reward you from the first principles of money.

Sincerely,
Ronald Grey
Louisville, KY
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