The History of Money: A Story of Humanity

A fresh, global history that traces money’s development from ancient trade to modern finance, acclaimed for being “learned, lively and often irreverent.”

Includes foreword by bestselling author Michael Lewis, adding perspective from one of today’s most influential nonfiction writers.

In The History of Money: A Story of Humanity, economist David McWilliams offers an engaging and wide-ranging exploration of money’s evolution and its central role in human civilization. Beginning with early accounting tools in ancient Mesopotamia and progressing through economic innovations such as interest, trade routes, and modern financial systems, McWilliams reveals how money has shaped politics, culture, and social life around the world. With memorable anecdotes, surprising insights, and a global perspective that spans from the Silk Road to cryptocurrency, this book illuminates how humanity’s most consequential invention influences everything from power and commerce to creativity and conflict.