The Mystery of Banking (LvMI) and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Start reading The Mystery of Banking (LvMI) on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

The Mystery of Banking [Hardcover]

Murray N. Rothbard
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $3.82  
Hardcover $15.91  
Hardcover, November 1983 --  
Paperback, Large Print $13.00  
Shop the Money & Markets Store
Are you a finance, investing, economics or accounting professional? Find books, read blog posts, and discover new authors and thought-leaders in Money & Markets, a new home for finance industry professionals on Amazon.com. > Shop now

Book Description

November 1983
I just finished reading this book and found that it filled in many inconsistencies that I have noted in my mainstream economic study. The author explains clearly and concisely the origins of and money and its importance to any economic system. He proceeds to describe the evolution of banking to its current inflationary state. He clearly shows that this inflationary states results from a combination of fractional reserve banking, the government's grant of monopoly powers through a cental bank (the U.S. Federal Reserve in the case of the U.S.), and the central banks open market operations to manipulate bank reserves (e.g., monetizing debt).

I found this book to be the most interesting and revealing book I have ever read about the banking system and the Federal Reserve. He explains how fractional reserve banking makes banks inherently prone to bankruptcy, how the Federal Reserve and other central banks create inflation, and how money has evolved and been debased.
--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 286 pages
  • Publisher: E P Dutton; 1st edition (November 1983)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0943940044
  • ISBN-13: 978-0943940045
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,608,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

It can easily seem like Rothbard wrote this book just a few weeks ago. Erez Davidi  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
All of Murray Rothbard's books are outstanding. Matthew J. Thomas  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
69 of 70 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Mystery of Banking Revealed December 28, 2002
By Jeff
Format:Hardcover
I just finished reading this book and found that it filled in many inconsistencies that I have noted in my mainstream economic study. The author explains clearly and concisely the origins of and money and its importance to any economic system. He proceeds to describe the evolution of banking to its current inflationary state. He clearly shows that this inflationary states results from a combination of fractional reserve banking, the government's grant of monopoly powers through a cental bank (the U.S. Federal Reserve in the case of the U.S.), and the central banks open market operations to manipulate bank reserves (e.g., monetizing debt). Finally, Rothbard makes it clear that the banking industry's inflationary policies are beneficial to the banking industry itself and leave the reader no doubt that this industry has a vested interest in the status-quo.
Was this review helpful to you?
58 of 59 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Revealing August 12, 2001
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I found this book to be the most interesting and revealing book I have ever read about the banking system and the Federal Reserve. Rothbard has a very different perspective than most conventional economists, but his explanations are very clear and compelling. He explains how fractional reserve banking makes banks inherently prone to bankruptcy, how the Federal Reserve and other central banks create inflation, and how money has evolved and been debased. Gene Epstein, the Barron's columnist, recently recommended The Mystery of Banking as the best book to read for anyone interested in understanding how our banking system works.
Was this review helpful to you?
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and Concise April 12, 2006
Format:Hardcover
Murray Rothbard writes clearly and yet with a technician's precise knowledge of the operation of money and banking. This book should be read by any who truly desire to understand these important aspects of the ecoonomy. And, oh, by the way, you don't really have to fork over $98 bucks for this important book. Resourceful readers can locate it for free online. Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch?
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars Too argumentative
This is more of an argument for doing away with the federal reserve and moving to a free banking system where the only requirement for banks is to back up their loans 100% with... Read more
Published 2 months ago by CHARLES C HUGHES
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best book on monetary theory
This book, although written few decades ago, is the most up to date book in monetary theory ever. It starts with the basic principles of supply and deman of money (pay special... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kyriakos Varveris
5.0 out of 5 stars best read yet on economics
i am now a fan of murray rothbard and a believer in the austrian school of economics. the novice can follow whats being said
Published 3 months ago by stephen bartlett
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read
If Americans had a better understanding of the mechanics of banking, as articulated in this fine book, America would definitely not be in the suicidally disastrous economic/fiscal... Read more
Published 3 months ago by OJ
5.0 out of 5 stars The best explanation of Fractional Reserve Banking out there
This book quite simply lays out the fundamental flaw of modern banking; Fractional Reserve Banking.

The reader gets both a history tour of banking, a tour of basic... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mho.olsen
4.0 out of 5 stars good
gave it as a gift he liked it blah blah blah blah blahb labh albha blah blah blah blah blah
Published 4 months ago by brady
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!
Absolutely sterling work by Rothbard. Well researched, interesting details, with the usual Rothbardian factual style. Read more
Published 6 months ago by D. Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent review of monetary history
A great explanation of the history of banking and the monetary system as well as the economy. After you read this you will realize the hidden tax of the constant printing of money.
Published 8 months ago by THS
1.0 out of 5 stars Cheap reprint DO NOT BUY
Like America's Great Depression, this is a low-quality reprint that has no TOC or index. The typography for the headings is laughably amateur, low-resolution graphs, etc. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Andras Konya
4.0 out of 5 stars A Five and a Three at the same time
Murray Rothbard was a friend of mine, with whom I had many engaging conversations. His historical knowledge was second to none. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Doctor Bob
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Forums

There are no discussions about this product yet.
Be the first to discuss this product with the community.
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 



So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category