Abstract

‘What is money, and how does it work? The conventional answer is that people once used sugar in the West Indies, tobacco in Virginia, and dried cod in Newfoundland, and that today’s financial universe evolved from barter. Unfortunately, there is a problem with this story. It’s wrong. And not just wrong, but dangerous. ‘Money: the unauthorised biography’ unfolds a panoramic secret history and explains the truth about money: what it is, where it comes from, and how it works. Drawing on stories from throughout human history and around the globe, ‘Money’ will radically rearrange your understanding of the world and shows how money can once again become the most powerful force for freedom we have ever known’

Felix Martin is a macroeconomist and fund manager. He was educated in the UK, Italy, and the US, where he was a Fulbright scholar; and has degrees in classics, international relations, and economics. Between 1998 and 2008, Felix worked at the World Bank, mostly on the reconstruction of the former Yugoslavia, and helped establish the European Stability Initiative think tank. Since 2008 he has worked in the fund management industry in London, first at Thames River Capital – now part of BMO Global Asset Management; then at Liontrust Asset Management; and most recently as one of the founding partners of 1167 Capital.