Daylight Robbery

How Tax Shaped Our Past and Will Change Our Future

De: Dominic Frisby

Narrado por: Dominic Frisby

'Fuel for the post-Christmas lunch argument' Financial Times

Death and taxes are our inevitable fate. We've been told this since the beginning of civilisation. But what if we stopped to question our antiquated system? Is it fair? And is it capable of serving the needs of our rapidly-changing, modern society?

In Daylight Robbery, Dominic Frisby traces the origins of taxation, from its roots in the ancient world, through to today. He explores the role of tax in the formation of our global religions, the part tax played in wars and revolutions throughout the ages, why, at one stage, we paid tax for daylight or for growing a beard. Ranging from the despotic to the absurd, the tax laws of the past reveal so much about how we got to where we are today and what we can do to build a system fit for the future.

'This entertaining, surprising, contrarian book is a tour de force!' - Matt Ridley, author of The Evolution of Everything

'In this spectacular gallop through history, Frisby shows how taxation has warped, stunted and thwarted human progress' - Mark Littlewood, Director General, Institute of Economic Affairs

'Against all expectations, Dominic's book on tax is a real page-turner. His historical interpretation and utopian ideas will outrage Left and Right. Both should read the book' - Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe and Member of the House of Commons Treasury Committee

'Fascinating book which exposes the political and economic basis of tax. A must read for those of us who believe in simpler, lower taxes' - Rt Hon Liz Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade

'Both amusing and informative, it's a romp' - Bill Bonner, author of Empire of Debt

Reseñas de la Crítica

With dazzling clarity, Frisby illuminates just how much of history is explained by arguments over tax, from Magna Carta to the American civil war to today's political debates. This entertaining, surprising, contrarian book is a tour de force

An engaging and informative trip through tax history that leads on to some radical suggestions for the future. A must-read for anyone thinking about how our tax system should be structured

A real page-turner! Dominic Frisby's historical interpretation and utopian ideas will outrage Left and Right. Both should read this book!

In this spectacular gallop through history, Frisby shows how taxation has warped, stunted and thwarted human progress. An absolute must-read for anyone who thinks higher taxes are the answer to our ills. Should be compulsory reading for anyone who aspires to high political office!

A fascinating book which exposes the political and economic basis of tax. A must read for those of us who believe in simpler, lower taxes

It has been said that the income tax created more criminals than any other single act of government. Dominic Frisby masterfully delves into the fascinating topic of taxation, vividly bringing it to life

An utterly gripping account of the impact of taxes on the course of civilisation

A fantastic education on the surprising ways tax policies have shaped mankind's past and will impact our future

A brilliant book full of insights into how governments have fleeced us down the ages. This is a must read for anyone interested in how technology might at last tilt things back in favour of the citizen rather than the state

How when and where we pay tax affects everything - how and where we work, how we save, when we retire, whether we marry or not, whether we live in houses we own or not and sometimes even how many children we have. Few of us think properly about the way this shapes our lives and societies. With this well-written and hugely engaging book Dominic Frisby might be about to change that

An Excellent Read On Taxation

Interesting and informative read on the history of taxation, it's cause and consequences. Highly recommend.

Interesting view on history

I learnt a lot about history of taxes and it is definitely an interesting lens.
The only complain I have is that the author does not go far enough with his imagination about what could have been and how it can go forward. The last chapter shows precisely that as it is complete statist nonsense. The rest is very educational.

Excellent

Great book for anyone interested in learning about the history and potential future of taxation and its myriad implications on society.

Brilliant narrative on how tax has shaped our life

This book provides key understanding on how taxes evolve and have shaped our society and continue to do so.

I however disagree somewhat with his idea of Utopia because he didnt elaborate on the role of central banks and government, since central banks have for the last century allowed government to spend more than the taxes they collect deepening inequality through inflation. Just fixing tax policy alone without reigning in central banks ability to create money from nothing will only fix half the problem leaving the rot to fester until we reach today's circumstances again, both have to be fixed together or else it will eventually come apart.

Fantastic

The content was great, and Frisby brings it to life with his narration. I intend to purchase the physical book to read it again!