The Secret History of Gold

Myth, Money, Politics, and Power 

Dominic Frisby

Revealing the sweeping saga of the world’s oldest—and most treasured—currency, this is the first definitive history of gold.

The Secret History of Gold tells the sparkling, eye-opening, and definitive story of the metal that has shaped our world—and may yet determine its fate.

From its origins in the formation of the solar system to its pivotal role in ancient myth, conquest, and modern finance, Dominic Frisby reveals how gold has shaped civilizsations, built global economies, and defined systems of power over millennia.

Discover how gold has sparked wars, built empires, and empowered leaders from Alexander the Great to Adolf Hitler. As nations like China and Russia mine and hoard gold at record rates, Frisby examines its enduring significance in the digital age and its potential to influence the future of global peace and power.

Not only is this the first comprehensive history of gold, at its heart, the book argues that gold keeps society honest by curbing government overspending as well as economic inflation, since we cannot create more of it.

Dominic Frisby is a financial writer and a comedian. For twenty years, he has a written a weekly blog column for MoneyWeek about gold, while his Substack, The Flying Frisby, ranks among the world's top financial reads. He’s delivered a slew of "lectures with funny bits” on everything from taxation to mining, as well as hosted two financial comedy shows for BBC Radio 4. His previous books published in the UK—Life After the State, Bitcoin: The Future of Money?, and Daylight Robbery—all tackle big ideas about money with both wit and clarity.

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Endorsements & Reviews

Praise for The Secret History of Gold:

"With both insight and his signature humour, Dominic Frisby tells the story of this extraordinary metal that has shaped empires and sparked madness. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the lengths human beings will go to for the promise of riches.” Rory Sutherland, author of Alchemy and vice chairman of Ogilvy

"The Secret History of Gold is a fabulous, fascinating, fantastical tale, told with panache by a superb taleteller about humanity's obsession with an eternal, imperishable, glittering metal.” Matt Ridley, author of How Innovation Works

"Dominic Frisby’s writings about economics and finance are intelligent, beautifully crafted and always ahead of the curve. The Secret History of Gold is well-informed, utterly coherent and very timely.” The Telegraph

"This book doesn’t just tell you about gold—it makes you feel its weight through history. It’s just so interesting. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the true currency of civilization.” The Spectator

"A well-researched and razor-sharp history of the eternal mystery of gold: its value, its cost and its hold over human affairs—written with passion, principle and the occasional punchline.” Al Murray, comedian and historian

"Possibly the best-timed book ever. As we move into our era of unsustainable debt all the big question about what money is and how it should be governed are coming to the fore again. Frisby’s sharp but straightforward analysis is a must read in a time when trust in everything else is diminishing.” Bloomberg News

"Understand the history of gold and you start to see what politicians and central banks would rather you didn’t: how easy money enables wars, and how decades of monetary manipulation have quietly chipped away at living standards. Drifting ever further from gold as the anchor of the monetary system has led to many of the economic and political problems we’re living with today—as Dominic reveals with clarity and force.” Rob Dix, author of The Price of Money

"This delightful book is a most insightful and enjoyable romp through history and a well-researched, educational tour de force that I recommend for everyone, young and old, to find out what history teaches us about money and, more importantly, the true nature of money itself.” James Turk, author of The Money Bubble

"With impeccable timing, Dominic Frisby has written a brilliant guide to the eternal metal. Given that the price of gold is reaching all-time highs, gold fever is clearly in the air. And as trust in many other forms of wealth declines, now seems an excellent moment to discover the attractions and technicalities of gold. This book is a highly readable introduction to the most alluring material of all.” Luke Johnson, investor and entrepeneur