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A History of Money: From Ancient Times to the Present Day
 
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A History of Money: From Ancient Times to the Present Day [Paperback]

Glyn Davies (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Book Description

November 2002 0708317170 978-0708317174 2nd
This is a straight-forward, readable account, written with the minimum of jargon, of the central importance of money in the ordinary business of the life of different peoples throughout the ages from ancient times to the present day. 

First published in hardback in 1994 and selected by the American Libraries Association as an Outstanding Academic Book. This revised and updated paperback edition also deals with the Barings crisis and the report by the Bank of England on Barings Bank; up-to-date information on the state of Japanese banking; changes in the financial scene in the US; the UK housing market and the problem of negative equity. The paradox of why more coins than ever before are required in an increasingly cashless society is clearly explained, as is the role of the new Euro' coin as the lowest common denominator in Europe's controversial single currency system. The final section provides evidence to suggest that for most of the world's richer countries the era of persistent inflation may well be at an end.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“This work of monumental proportions is both well conceived and executed . . . Davies writes with a sparkling wit, and his prose is elegant and flowing. This book is a total success. Both undergraduate and graduate students can learn much from this excellent work, which will be useful to economists, political scientists, and even anthropologists.” –Choice
(Choice )

“If you want a chronological history of money, here it is. If the development of banking is required, that is available. And if you want to worry about the exploding world population, the book provides some interesting theories . . .” –Banking World
(Banking World )

“. . . highly readable . . .” –Financial Times
(Financial Times )

“. . . a thoroughly good read . . .” –Economic Journal
(Economic Journal )

“. . . if you are a numismatist looking for a book that will explain the economy then this is it. I would not have been disappointed at £45 . . . all I can say is Highly recommended.” --Sacra Moneta
(Sacra Moneta )

“. . . a masterful examination . . . It’s a helter-skelter ride through history, swooping and touching on civilization and how they did business, funded their treasuries and paid their servants including armies . . .” –World Money Laundering Report
(World Money Laundering Report )

About the Author

Glyn Davies, deceased, was an Emeritus Professor of the University of Wales and Economic Advisor to Julian Hodge Bank Ltd. His former positions include Sir Julian Hodge Professor of Banking and Finance and Head of Department for Economics and Banking, U.W.I.S.T, Cardiff. He was also Senior Economic Advisor to the Secretary of State for Wales and Economic advisor and Director of the Bank of Wales.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 750 pages
  • Publisher: University of Wales Press; 2nd edition (November 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0708317170
  • ISBN-13: 978-0708317174
  • Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #591,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is one of my favorite books related to history and economics.

The former Professor Davies has given us a wonderful collection of stories about the original forms of money used and the evolution of money and financial institutions. This is a book that will appeal to a historian, anyone working in the financial sector, anyone interested in economic development or the development of economic and business institutions.

My favorites are the stories about primitive, commodity money, such as giant stones way too big to pack around or exotic teeth! My second favorite stories are those of the Goldsmiths of Engand, who were the first commercial bankers in western Europe. I encourage you to read this book and find your own favorite chapters.
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This history of money is very thorough and detailed. There are good pages on Ancient Greece and Rome which are very interesting and rarely found in similar studies. Yet I found the book disappointing and rather pedestrian, hiding the forest behind the trees. It is very descriptive, with a lot of material about the development of banking regulations, which I found a bit boring. It's also very Anglo-centric: more than half the book is dedicated to British banking and monetary history.

For a "big picture" yet very clear history of money, I found Galbraith's book "Money, whence it came and where it went" much, much better - and much shorter. I also recommend "the Great Wave" by David Hackett Fischer, which, although not as rigorous, is a fascinating read.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Almost all English-language books on the history of money are extremely eurocentric. They are written as if the world outside of western Europe did not have an economy before Europeans colonized it. As far as I know, Glyn Davies has written the only monetary history book that dedicates more than a few token pages to non-Western and pre-modern economic history. It is perhaps the only book on the history of money with a truly global scope.
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