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Money: Ye shall have honest weights and measures

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Ewart spends the first chapters of <i>Money</i> dissecting the 'verbicide' of the words "money," "pay," "tender," "bill," "usury," and "inflation," among others, showing how their misuse by politicians, propagandists, and the press has led to large-scale fraud, waste, and abuse the world over, for more than two millennia.

Throughout the text, Mr. Ewart traces the etymologies of these and other terms, whose meanings are corrupted in popular discourse, and shows that positions that were self-evident and considered prudent by the great majority only a few decades ago now tag their holders as fringe radicals.

Pretty heady stuff for what appears to be just another glossy, large-format coffeetable book at first glance. But, open those covers and begin to read, and you find yourself infected by Mr. Ewart's passion, indignation, and zeal.

One of the more noteworthy aspects of <i>Money</i> is the forty-eight pages of full-color reproductions of US paper currency and coins. Before Mr. Ewart was allowed to publish these photographs legally, he had to receive permission from the US Treasury, and was required to destroy all negatives.

Reading the notices that have been printed on paper currency in the USA over the past two centuries, and especially since creation of the Federal Reserve System, one sees clearly what Mr. Ewart finds so disturbing
1880-- This certifies that there have been deposited with the Treasurer of the U.S. at Washington, D.C., payable at his office to the bearer on demand one thousand silver dollars.
1918-- Secured by United States Certificates of Indebtedness or one-year gold notes, deposited with the Treasurer of the United States of America, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, California, will pay to the bearer on demand one dollar.
1922-- This certifies that there have been deposited in the Treasury of the United States of America fifty dollars in gold coin payable to the bearer on demand.
1928-- This note is a legal tender at its face value for all debts public and private.
The United States of America will pay to the bearer on demand two dollars.
1934-- This note is legal tender for all debts public and private, and is redeemable in lawful money at the United States Treasury, or at any Federal Reserve Bank.
1963-- This note is legal tender for all debts public and private.

Two shortcomings of <i>Money</i> are its focus on the USA, and the lack of an in-depth explanation in of how the Federal Reserve system creates new circulating currency. The title of the book suggests a general theme, and the issues described plague nations the world over. Comparisons and contrasts with at least England, Germany, and Japan would have been very informative.

Also, in light of the overall tone, it would have lent even more credibility to Mr. Ewart's thesis, if he had provided, among his numerous appendices, schematic balance sheets showing how new US dollars are called into existence. It is one thing for the reader to accept that the US dollar is no longer backed by value; it is another thing entirely to see illustrations showing how the US dollar is now backed by debt, which is 'minus-value'.

The message of Mr. Ewart's <i>Money</i> is not as radical as the tone of the text suggests. He has written an excellent introduction to the institution of money, which exposes glaring frailties that are of the utmost importance today, especially in light of recent events in the US stock and worldwide gold markets, but his diagnosis would be judged tame by most readers' grandparents and great-grandparents.

<i>Money</i> is a readable, well-documented, and above all non-technical volume that should be read by anyone who is interested in the nature and history of this most basic of human institutions.

Having spent the past two years learning everything I could about the workings of the Federal Reserve and fiat currencies I was pleased to be introduced to Ewarts excellent book on money. It is a first class book in all respects, content, format, quality of paper, photos and binding. I have three sons in their 20's and I am giving them each a copy, that is how important the information in Money is! There is a growing awareness of the abuse of our money system, our Constitution and our government. Books that would complement what you learn in Money include, Cracking the Code, Creature from Jeckyl Island, The Grunch of giants, and The Peoples History of the United States. Also do some research on filing a UCC-1 in a step to owning your freedom.

MONEY: You shall have honest weights and measures, by James Ewart.

"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes its laws". This quote is attributed the first great merchant banker Meyer Amschel Rothschild. We take the currency in our wallet for granted. However, the control of money is the most subtle and important of all the issues which govern human affairs. One of the results is that if foul play is planned It needs to be covered up. Most teaching at universities in economics is part of this cover up. The history of money can be found in this book. In the wonderful new the style of modern publishing this book is also user-friendly. Though you will find all the correct information between its covers it is wonderfully illustrated with photographs of money never before released. The history of coin and paper currency emerges from its pages almost live. You end up, however, with a true understanding of the horror which is central banking. The book is so attractive that every intellectual will want to have it on his coffee table for a decoration and when the time is right for a serious discussion.

This would be a perfect graduation gift for a high school student. Give him or her a dose of vital truth before subjecting them to economic B.S. on the university level. If only I could have read this book 20 years ago. James Ewart does a magnificent job exposing how the banking system operates and how ongoing unconstitutional expansion of the money supply waters down the value of our wallet and checkbook money. When you are the victim of a continuing con-game, the sting is not comprehended, the propaganda has been effective and the billionaires make out like bandits. Now you have the key to the magic trick in "Money" and all economics becomes very simple, only the slight of hand and propaganda was the source of confusion. So, if you are of a state of mind which could not contemplate the possibility of criminals running the United States, then this book isn't for you, stick with looser job and Sunday football and boring spouse, and ride ol' nellie down; on the otherhand, if you have been curious, or sensed something was wrong, but couldn't put your finger on it, JUST WHY SHOULD ALAN GREENSPAN BE ALLOWED TO MANIPULATE YOUR MONEY ANYWAY? DOES LIBERTY AND FREE ENTERPRIZE MEAN ANYTHING? , then this book is for you, It rates a 5 star, and every patriotic American should have a copy nearby.

Jim Ewart has produced a classic work entitled Money. More than simply a fine 'coffee table' exposition on our understanding of the nine most important monetary terms (money, currency, dollar, pay, note, bill, tender,usury, and inflation), it is THE premiere showcase work on the pictorial history of money. This expensively designed and printed book is the first to show all of the original American forms of coinage and paper currency in full color plates. They are gorgeous. Ewart walks you through all the fascinating fine print on each bill showing how government has slowly changed the fiduciary relationship between citizen and currency -- to the citizen's detriment. While I think Ewart sometimes makes too much out of the nuances of etymology (tracking the root meaning of words), when you get through his conversational explanations on money, banking and credit,you'll be an expert on the terminology of money and much better equipped to see through the deceptive fine print still in use in many of today's bank loan documents. Again, this is a showcase-quality hardback book printed on glossy paper -- a treasure house of color reproductions. It's priced none too high for the value, in my opinion.

Joel Skousen, editor World Affairs Brief

Outstanding, methodical review of the purposes and abuses of money. Readers will better understand why the current socialist world meltdown might not ever have happened if we followed the honest wisdom of American constitutional principles. Beautifully illustrated gift for discerning believers in liberty and sound, honest economics!

"Money" is one of the most informative books I've ever read concerning the Unites States "monetary" system. For example, I never realized that our Federal Reserve "Notes" are not notes at all, but rather worthless tokens with no real value backing them. Nor are our tokens currency, in the sense that they are current assets, because they are not redeemable. Several dictionaries define money as gold or silver coins that are the media of exchange. I could go on and on, but this book is amazing and easy to understand.

This is a book every family should own and keep it right next to their family Bible. Jim Ewart does a fantastic job of giving you the history of money, legal definition and shows you how we have been corrupted to believe that today's currency is money when in fact it is not. The glossy pictures of the currency we have used in the United states is fabulous. It is "coffee table" quality. Every school in the country should own enough copies to use in their government classes. A Great read. It is no doubt in my mind that if everyone really understood this subject they would then understand that if we had REAL MONEY used in this country the wars would cease and the economy would be robust and non-inflationary. Get the book you won't regret this purchase.