Cowries to Crypto: The History of money, currency and wealth, reviewed

By Simon Cocking, review of Cowries to Crypto: The History of money, currency and wealth. Hardcover – Illustrated,  out 1 Sept. 2020. Available here.

Money really does make the world go round. But what is it? This piece of paper in my pocket? A number in my bank statement – or a message sent from my mobile phone? COWRIES TO CRYPTO is a playful romp through world history that explains why money is all of that, and more. Beautifully narrated through a series of witty illustrations, this extraordinary book documents money’s progress from one civilisation to another. It’s the story of innovation, of belief, of culture…and of power, war, and exploitation. Money is the blood flowing through the veins of society, and COWRIES TO CRYPTO’s globe-hopping, time traveller’s tale reveals why – and what is coming next.

Cowries to Crypto: The History of money, currency and wealth, reviewed

It’s hard to know who exactly this book is aimed at, what their ideal audience is. On a number of levels it works very well, and perhaps it is aimed at a Horrible Histories audience, which is no bad niche. The illustrations work well, they are bright, colourful, funny, and work well as a good counter point to the text as Harry Harrison’s illustrations work well.

The prose is good too, it is far ranging and interesting in the topics it covers.  Jame DiBiasio has a good breadth of knowledge and we enjoyed the seemingly unpredictable detours into various aspects of what money is, has been, and could be in the future. The topics selected are provocative and of interest.

Currently we are being approached by lots of people wanting to talk about crypto currencies again, especially as the US and the EU embark on a massive money printing program to try and spend their way out of the current recessionary deluge they are facing. This may or may not work, but it can only devalue the worth of assets held in the form of dollars or euros. Therefore it is a timely moment to consider what is money, value and worth.  Jame DiBiasio’s book appears at a good time and could do well with a wide range of readers looking for a quick primer into this eternally important aspect of our lives.

More about the book

A whistle-stop tour through the amazing innovations that transformed us from cave men to Fintech whizzes
A revealing insight into how money shapes societies and how financial innovations have triggered some of the biggest events in history, from the Roman Empire’s accession to the discovery of the New World
Written by award-winning financial journalist Jame DiBiasio, founder and editor of DigFin Group
Illustrated by renowned satirical cartoonist Harry Harrison, whose work features in publications including Time, The Guardian, WSJ & South China Morning Post

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