What do cocoa bones, cowrie shells, banknotes, cigarettes, and digital databases have in common? They once served as a form of money. Money is an integral part of our daily lives, something we often take for granted until problems arise. This book traces the role, development, and influence of money and finance on people, culture, and the type of economy we live in. The economic history of the world reads like a fascinating novel with countless twists and turns. Despite our pursuit of financial stability and security, this often proves surprisingly temporary. Just as we hope we have reached a new level of prosperity, the financial system tends to force us to adapt to new conditions. The book follows the financial system from its birth as a credit system in ancient Mesopotamia to the financial revolutions of the 20th and 21st centuries. This is the story of money, finance, and their interaction with people, governments, and society. Why did American forces desperately try to destroy money during the American Revolution? Why do we tend to succumb to economic cycles? And if inflation is bad, why is deflation even worse? Also, the book examines the effect money has on us. Does money make us irrational? Is money truly the root of all evil, or should we celebrate money for its ability to generate prosperity and overcome poverty?