Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Follow the author
OK
Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money Hardcover – May 19, 2015
New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2015 FINANCIAL TIMES AND MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR
A New York Times technology and business reporter charts the dramatic rise of Bitcoin and the fascinating personalities who are striving to create a new global money for the Internet age.
Digital Gold is New York Times reporter Nathaniel Popper’s brilliant and engrossing history of Bitcoin, the landmark digital money and financial technology that has spawned a global social movement.
The notion of a new currency, maintained by the computers of users around the world, has been the butt of many jokes, but that has not stopped it from growing into a technology worth billions of dollars, supported by the hordes of followers who have come to view it as the most important new idea since the creation of the Internet. Believers from Beijing to Buenos Aires see the potential for a financial system free from banks and governments. More than just a tech industry fad, Bitcoin has threatened to decentralize some of society’s most basic institutions.
An unusual tale of group invention, Digital Gold charts the rise of the Bitcoin technology through the eyes of the movement’s colorful central characters, including an Argentinian millionaire, a Chinese entrepreneur, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Already, Bitcoin has led to untold riches for some, and prison terms for others.
- Print length416 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarper
- Publication dateMay 19, 2015
- Dimensions6 x 1.29 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100062362496
- ISBN-13978-0062362490
Products related to this item
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the detailed reporting of the bitcoin subculture and insights into the motives for its creation. The narrative style is captivating and the human stories of the main protagonists are captivating. Readers praise the writing quality as fluid and excellent. They also mention that the characters are fascinating and all the important actors are present. Overall, customers describe the book as a good starting point for anyone interested in Bitcoin.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the coherent narrative and fast-paced narrative that keeps them hooked until the end. The story is organized in a way that makes it seem like a thriller.
"...but after Popper's book, all of them are now linked in an organized story line and they came alive in my mind...." Read more
"...The narrative is strong and clear, with in-depth details that span over about 6 years of the early history of Cryptocurrency...." Read more
"...reading Popper's book, which is quite accessible and almost reads like a novel at times." Read more
"...Nathaniel Popper is a talented non-fiction writer and this was a real page-turner. I gave it five stars because I enjoyed reading it so much." Read more
Customers find this book an engaging read about the history of Bitcoin. It provides a reasonable account of the story, with detailed reporting on the subculture. Readers appreciate the insights into the motivations for Bitcoin's creation and the strength and weaknesses of this crypto-currency. While not much technical information is provided, it provides a good introduction to the crypto-currency world. Many consider it the best book about Bitcoin they have ever read, making their interest in it grow exponentially.
"...: The book is an example of very fine writing and detailed reporting of the bitcoin subculture...." Read more
"...The narrative is strong and clear, with in-depth details that span over about 6 years of the early history of Cryptocurrency...." Read more
"...You will be much more knowledgable and informed about Bitcoin after reading Popper's book, which is quite accessible and almost reads like a novel..." Read more
"...learn, and this book explained the concepts behind Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies well, and I felt I got a good understanding without having to delve..." Read more
Customers enjoy the engaging narrative style of the book. They find it captivating and fascinating, tracing the history of Bitcoin through the lives of its main protagonists. The author does an excellent job describing the personalities and how things unfolded over time. However, some readers feel there are too many details and perspectives included in the book.
"...Wow! I am shocked, this is journalism at its best, applied to a favourite but difficult to understand contemporary subject...." Read more
"...The narrative is strong and clear, with in-depth details that span over about 6 years of the early history of Cryptocurrency...." Read more
"...It didn't disappoint! Popper does an outstanding job of telling the story of Bitcoin's mysterious origins and the highs and lows of its..." Read more
"...The story telling is great too and it almost reads like a novel, complete with the drama and mild suspense...." Read more
Customers find the book's writing quality good. They appreciate the narrative and flow of the writing. The author does an excellent job describing complex concepts, making them easy to understand. Readers describe the content as accessible and reads like a fast-paced thriller.
"...Bottom line: The book is an example of very fine writing and detailed reporting of the bitcoin subculture...." Read more
"...confuses the reader, but instead focuses more on the narrative and readability...." Read more
"...and informed about Bitcoin after reading Popper's book, which is quite accessible and almost reads like a novel at times." Read more
"...Nathaniel Popper is a talented non-fiction writer and this was a real page-turner. I gave it five stars because I enjoyed reading it so much." Read more
Customers find the characters fascinating. They appreciate that all the important actors are included and illustrated to highlight the different camps of bitcoin.
"...But all of the events are real and the characters are actual living human beings, sometimes with sad endings...." Read more
"...The author did a great job in story telling. Multiple lines of important actor are illustrated to demonstrate the different camps of bitcoin..." Read more
"...Still wouldn't invest in it, but a great story and crazy cast of characters...." Read more
"...The author gives such vivid descriptions of the characters and brings the stories to life, also giving such a great timeline of event...." Read more
Customers find the book a good starting point for anyone interested in Bitcoin. It provides a historical narrative and is engaging from the first chapter.
"I thought it was going to be a dry read but I was hooked from the first chapter...." Read more
"This is a great starting off point for anyone interested in Bitcoin. Very quick read!..." Read more
"...Great place to start, though." Read more
"I think it's a good source for beginers on the subject. Not much technical info but a good introduction to the cryptocirrency world" Read more
Customers find the technology in the book exciting and a real breakthrough in computer science. They say it opens their minds to the future and is the most exciting and intriguing innovation since.
"...future, but the blockchain technology appears to be a real breakthrough in computer science...." Read more
"...Recommend for everyone wanting to learn about this exciting technology." Read more
"...The ideas that motivated them to create and nourish the new technology...." Read more
"Bitcoin and the Blockchain that makes it possible is the most exciting and intriguing innovation since the creation of the Internet...." Read more
Customers have different views on the book's engrossment. Some find it engaging, riveting, and fascinating to read about gifted individuals with passion. Others find it boring or lacking in life experience.
"...Brilliant minds with drive, excitement and passion to fuel their pursuits...." Read more
"I loved this book at the beginning (very exciting!), got bored in the middle, and was unhappy with the abrupt ending...." Read more
"...Truly engulfing and fascinating to read about these amazingly gifted young men who just created this virtual currency, that at one point was just..." Read more
"Really fascinating story told by author in riveting and compelling prose. Made some hard to understand technology..." Read more
Reviews with images
Following Wences' journey is my favorite part of the book.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2015This book is standing out among other bitcoin books recently published in one important difference: This one is the result of genuine journalism. The writer is not here for attracting the techie crowd who are interested in the fortunes of mining bitcoins every 10 minutes or so. But he does a very good job of digging all the key people (arguably even the main character. Mr Satoshi himself) and putting events in a time-line starting from day one, from early 2009.
Before this book, I read three other bitcoin/blockchain books, watched the documentary (The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin) and read lots of web site articles and blogs. I heard lots of things about the main characters, Satoshi, Gavin, Hal, Ross, Erik, Wences, Winkelvii, Charlie etc. but after Popper's book, all of them are now linked in an organized story line and they came alive in my mind. In a way this book reads like fiction, almost like the script of an HBO mini series. But all of the events are real and the characters are actual living human beings, sometimes with sad endings.
I wonder if the FBI had ever used description of some events in this book as evidence? Or just the opposite, did Popper use legal documents or police reports. How on the earth did he find out all the details of the life of the founder of Silk Road? (Like the thoughts of his former girl firends) Or details about the "super secret" meeting of Allen & Co? Wow! I am shocked, this is journalism at its best, applied to a favourite but difficult to understand contemporary subject.
Bottom line: The book is an example of very fine writing and detailed reporting of the bitcoin subculture. Not a book to learn how to mine bitcoins or where to buy them.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2021Way better than other books about bitcoin and Cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin Billionaires. The narrative is strong and clear, with in-depth details that span over about 6 years of the early history of Cryptocurrency. It doesn't get obsessed with technical details like other books do and confuses the reader, but instead focuses more on the narrative and readability. Almost all major players and events from the western world are covered.
That said, there 2 drawbacks for me:
1. The book was published in 2016 and only covered the events up to 2014, which means the ICO hype and the bull run in 2017, and the pandemic era are not included.
2. The Chinese market which accounts for half of the industry is covered in minimal details, presumably because of the author's lack of resources in the Eastern world. For example, the book does briefly go over the earliest exchange BTCChina but mentions very little about two other giant exchanges at the time OKCoin (OKEx) and Huobi (Binance didn't come into being until 2017 so it's understandable that there is no mention in the book).
Another example is the mining unicorn Bitmain doesn't get much real estate in the book.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2016I have read articles over the past few years about Bitcoin, specifically during times of crises such as the spect ulnar failure of the Mt. Gox exchange and shutting down of the illicit Silk Road website that drove much of the early demand for Bitcoins. However, I readily admit that I didn't really understand the technology behind Bitcoin and how it worked (or didn't). As someone interested in economics, finance, and technology, I purchased this book as one of the finalists for the Financial Times Book of the Year for 2015. It didn't disappoint!
Popper does an outstanding job of telling the story of Bitcoin's mysterious origins and the highs and lows of its development over the past several years. He excels at surfacing some of the inherent contradictions embedded within the technology, including the initial evangelical libertarians that were the biggest proponents of Bitcoin, only to see both Wall Street and particularly Silicon Valley to swoop in and sink significant investments in Bitcoin startups, adding legitimacy and bringing Bitcoin to main stream acceptance. Popper also points out the biggest failure points have been when control of Bitcoin has been centralized in exchanges, when the true ingenuousness of the blockchain technology underlying Bitcoin is that it removes the need for a central authority to back it as a currency and store of value.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a primer on how Bitcoin works and how it has developed over the past decade. You will be much more knowledgable and informed about Bitcoin after reading Popper's book, which is quite accessible and almost reads like a novel at times.
Top reviews from other countries
EverydayProductsProReviewed in Canada on September 18, 20215.0 out of 5 stars Covers background
It's good book if you are interested in knowing background of bitcoin and people who were involved in making bitcoin push forward on mainstream.
ElaReviewed in the Netherlands on October 5, 20235.0 out of 5 stars Good book
I bought this for my husband and he liked it.
Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 20235.0 out of 5 stars Gold dust
The book delivered to me had been printed back to front. Up for any challenge I adapted and dove in.
What a engaging story with larger than life characters and no end of twists in the narrative. Its about as interesting as history gets. This should be taught in school rather than the battle of Hastings. A little more relative. The definitive intro into crypto. Wonderful read.
Took a few pages to adjust back to reading a book the traditional way.
fdecollibusReviewed in Italy on July 18, 20205.0 out of 5 stars Finally...
Finally everything that matters, altogether in one book. It provides a thorough overview on the first steps of blockchain and crypto
-
Rodrigo G Ruiz QuijadaReviewed in Mexico on August 30, 20185.0 out of 5 stars Excelente para iniciarse en las criptomonedas
Cuenta la historia de Bitcoin y como se fue gestionando. Esta muy bueno si son novatos en criptomonedas y quieren irse empapando en el tema.
