The power of gold

Description

Incorporating 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.

First Sentence

If gold were more plentiful on earth-say, as abundant as salt-it would be far less valuable and interesting, despite its unique physical attributes and beauty.

Description

This volume recounts the timeless story of our obsession with gold. Mixing myth, legend, and historical fact, the author looks at the people, places, and events that have evoked desperation and frustration in human behavior. Starting with a broad palette of colorful characters, Pharaoh Hatshepsut, King Midas, Alexander the Great, Emperor Justinian, the Inca Emperor Atahualpa, Martin Luther, Kublai Khan, Sir Isaac Newton, and Charles De Gaulle, the author recounts the sequence of events that led to gold becoming the international monetary standard in the 19th Century only to fall to obscurity amid the collapse of the Bretton Woods System in 1971. This is the story of people so blinded in their pursuit of gold that they could not comprehend the difference between useless metal and real wealth.

Subjects

Genres

• Folklore

Other Editions

• The power of gold: the history of an obsessionJohn Wiley2000-01-01
• The Power of GoldWiley2000-08-30
• The Power of GoldRandom House Audio2000-10-03
• The Power of GoldRandom House Audio2000-10-03
• The Power of GoldWiley2001-10-03
• The Power of GoldWiley2004-11-05