• What Has Government Done to Our Money?

  • and The Case for a 100 Percent Gold Dollar
  • By: Murray N. Rothbard
  • Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach
  • Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (333 ratings)

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What Has Government Done to Our Money?  By  cover art

What Has Government Done to Our Money?

By: Murray N. Rothbard
Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach
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Publisher's summary

The Mises Institute is pleased to present this audio edition of Rothbard's most famous monetary essay - the one that has influenced two generations of economists, investors, and business professionals. The Mises Institute has united this book with its natural complement: a detailed reform proposal for a 100 percent gold dollar. "The Case for a 100 Percent Gold Dollar" was written a decade before the last vestiges of the gold standard were abolished. Rothbard's unique plan for making the dollar sound again still holds up. Some people have said that Rothbard tells us what is wrong with money but not what to do about it. Well, with the addition of this essay, the problem and the answer are united in a comprehensive whole.

After presenting the basics of money and banking theory, Rothbard traces the decline of the dollar from the 18th century to the present and provides lucid critiques of central banking, New Deal monetary policy, Nixonian fiat money, and fixed exchange rates. He also provides a blueprint for a return to a 100 percent reserve gold standard. The book made huge theoretical advances. Rothbard was the first to prove that the government, and only the government, can destroy money on a mass scale, and he showed exactly how they go about this dirty deed. But just as importantly, it is beautifully written. He tells a thrilling story because he loves the subject so much.The passion that Murray Rothbard feels for the topic comes through in the prose and transfers to the reader. Readers become excited about the subject and tell others. Students tell professors. Some, like the great Ron Paul of Texas, have even run for political office after having read it.

©2005 Ludwig von Mises Institute (P)2005 Ludwig von Mises Institute

What listeners say about What Has Government Done to Our Money?

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Excellent!

Do you think you have the solution to all our political and societal woes?

Shut up. You haven't a clue.

Read this book. Get woke. Save yourself from ignorance.

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2 people found this helpful

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Worth it's weight in gold

Perhaps I come from a uneducated background but I suspect I'm typical of many middle class kids growing up who never give a thought to economics. A book or two on liberty and changed that and now I can't get enough of economics. Rothbard continues my learning curve with this book filled with a wealth of knowledge.

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Rothbard makes his case convincingly

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you want to know the history of money and what government has done to ruin it, this is the book for you. Makes an excellent case for the abolition of fiat currency and a return to gold as money.

What did you like best about this story?

Well written, easy to understand even for an economic novice like myself.

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A great listen

Another great example of how government has no business being in charge of finance. All you need to do is look at the inflation over the years, and the national debt.

Then again, if we were on a gold standard, the creature from Jekyll Island (federal reserve) wouldn't be allowed to push the world into servitude, as planned.

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Fantastic overview of money

This book really does an excellent job of explaining how money arose and the importance of the gold standard. 10/10 I recommend if you're interested in economics.

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Great Rothbard Read!

This book proposes a compelling argument for the legalization of money in a true free market. I advise every student of the Austrian School to include this book in your reading list!

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Can't Go Wrong With Rothbard

Rothbard does it again. A great recount of the history of money from the gold standard onward with expert economic analysis from the Austrian school viewpoint.

Riggenbach is a very clear and easy to listen to narrator.

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Radical but well augured plan to return to 100% gold standard.

Inflation is the most insidious form of taxation it is done quietly and efficiently by the government and hits everyone disproportionately

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Essential reading to understand money

This is a great read to get to understand money: it’s origins, how it behaves in a free economy, how we can return to such a state, and what role gold plays in a sound monetary system.
In 2020 and 2021, where governments have taken it upon themselves to save all of humanity by descending ever further into debt, soon to be followed by outright printing I am sure, understanding money is now more important than ever.

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Must Read!

Explains how free markets are the best route to keeping freedom. Show the power over the people when money is created through governments to control the people.

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