Coined: The Rich Life of Money and How Its History Has Shaped Us

Description

Money isn't just coins, bank notes or clamshells; it is more than a store of value or unit of payment. It's an idea, a transformative player in how we view, cope, and harmonise with the world. Like it or not, money is a measure of status, well-being, and our chances to survive and thrive. Money isn't just what makes the world go around; it is largely what makes each of us go around. In COINED, Kabir Sehgal travels the world while presenting a multidimensional portrait of currency through the ages. He explores the origin of exchange in the Galapagos Islands, searches for hoards of coins from an ancient civilization in Bangladesh, and learns about the art that appears on money from coin collectors in Vietnam. He takes you from the vaults beneath the Federal Reserve in New York to a beehive where pollen can be understood as a natural form of exchange. He details the birth of money, to its place in our culture both past and present, to how the obsession for it can lead to death and destruction, all the while mixing engaging and entertaining stories from the front lines of global currency exchange with extensive, thoughtful research. The story of money is rich and varied because it is our story.

Kabir Sehgal works in strategy at First Data Corporation, a global payment technology firm. He was previously a vice president at J.P. Morgan, advising asset managers on investments in emerging markets. A New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, he has written five books. He is also a jazz musician and Grammy-winning producer. He serves as an officer in the US Navy Reserve and is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the London School of Economics.

A fascinating account that weaves together history, philosophy, and personal anecdotes. [Kabir Sehgal] provides insights that are both riveting and thought-provoking - Walter Isaacson, bestselling author of Steve Jobs Kabir Sehgal has done us a great service in writing this book - Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and founder of Grameen Bank Coined doesn't resemble any of the usual text books on money. For one thing, it's actually fun to read - and Kabir Sehgal will stimulate your thinking about our financial crisis and banking - Paul Volcker, former Chair of the Federal Reserve Well-written. Clever. Innovative. This amazing book will get you thinking about money in completely new ways. If you want to understand how money has impacted the human condition, for better or worse, and how it will continue to shape our behavior, read this book - Sheila Bair, former Chairman of the Federal Deposit Corporation An ideal book for anyone interested in understanding how money has impacted our world. [Kabir Sehgal's] thought provoking and impressive writing style makes this an enjoyable and educational read - William H. Rogers, Chairman & CEO, SunTrust Banks This book takes you through money, its history and its future. Kabir is brilliant. Read it - Timothy Draper, Founding Partner, Draper Fisher Jurvetson This fresh and captivating book will make us rethink what money is and even how we corporate leaders make financial decisions - John Somerhalder II, Chairman & CEO, AGL Resources In his excellent book, Kabir Sehgal entices the reader to think differently about money . . . By emphasizing the link between money and obligations, Sehgal develops a deeper understanding of the nature of the most important institution in our modern economy - L. Randall Wray, Professor, Economics, University of Missouri-Kansas City and author of Modern Money Theory