Prof. Ferguson explains the role of money in the development of human progress in his new book, The Ascent of Money.
By Niall Ferguson (Penguin Press, 2008)
For both the financial history enthusiast and the newcomer to the global financial markets alike, Prof. Niall Ferguson offers an excellent survey of the development of money in his latest of financially themed books. Ferguson, regarded as one of Britain’s most noted historians, is provocative as he weaves together a world of complex relationships and issues in a very palpable yet rich explanation of the evolution of money and its role in society. Smartly written, Ferguson’s book is rather poignant considering current world events and is written in such detail to paint a very informative accounting of events and world issues that have resulted in money becoming what he argues is the “essential backstory behind all history”.
Ferguson’s book has also been turned into a two-hour documentary, written and presented by Ferguson himself, that will air as a four-hour presentation by PBS later in 2009. For the more information regarding the broadcast, click here to view its webpage.