The Power of Gold: The History of an ObsessionIncorporating myth, history and contemporary investigation, Bernstein tells the story of how human beings have become intoxicated, obsessed, enriched, impoverished, humbled and proud for the sake of gold. From the past to the future, Bernstein's portrayal of gold is intimately linked to the character of humankind. |
Contents
| 7 | |
| 13 | |
2 Midass Wish and the Creatures of Pure Chance | 25 |
3 Dariuss Bathtub and the Cackling of the Geese | 45 |
4 The Symbol and the Faith | 59 |
5 Gold Salt and the Blessed Town | 69 |
6 The Legacy of Eoba Babba and Udd | 77 |
7 The Great Chain Reaction | 87 |
11 The Asian Necropolis and Hien Tsungs Inadvertent Innovation | 157 |
12 The Great Recoinage and the Last of the Magicians | 173 |
13 The True Doctrine and the Great Evil | 193 |
14 The New Mistress and the Cursed Discovery | 207 |
15 Strength and Failure | 221 |
16 Breaking the Golden Fetters | 235 |
17 Tearing Loose the Golden Anchor | 263 |
Bibliography | 283 |
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Common terms and phrases
16th century Africa American Arabs Asia Atahualpa Bank notes Bank of England Bank’s bankers began bezant Black Death Britain British bullion Byzantine camel cent central banks Charles circulation coinage convert countries Croesus debasement developed dollar economic emperor empire English Europe European exchange exports Federal Reserve Fishguard foreign foreign exchange markets France French Genoese German gold and silver gold as money gold coins gold standard gold stock gold’s golden guinea Gyges hoarding Holy Roman Empire important Inca India inflation interest rates issued king London Lydian Marco Polo Mermnadae Midas million mines mints monetary system Newton Norman official output paper money payment Pizarro pound precious metals price of gold Price Revolution production ransom recoinage Roman shillings ships silver coins Spain Spaniards Spanish sterling supply of gold taxes today’s tons took trade transactions Treasury turn United wealth weight