The Secret History of Gold

Myth, Money, Politics and Power

Dominic Frisby

$49.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Penguin Business
02 September 2025

Economic history

The first definitive biography of gold; the metal that has shaped our world - and may yet determine its future.

The Secret History of Gold tells the epic tale of the world's oldest, and most treasured, currency. From its origins in the formation of the solar system to its pivotal role in both ancient myth and modern finance, Dominic Frisby explores, with wit and brevity, how gold has defined the entire course of human civilisation.

Gold has inspired men to do the most brilliant - and terrible - things. The most stolen metal in history, it has lured explorers, conquerors and thieves. It has sparked wars, it has built empires, it has empowered leaders - from Alexander the Great to Adolf Hitler - good and bad. As nations today such as China and Russia mine and hoard gold at record rates, Frisby examines its enduring significance in the digital age and its potential to influence global peace and power.

This is the untold story of gold- its past, its present and its future.

By: Dominic Frisby
Imprint: Penguin Business
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 240mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 28mm
Weight: 500g
ISBN: 9780241728345
ISBN 10: 0241728347
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 02 September 2025
Audience: General/trade , College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Dominic Frisby is, unusually, both 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 UK's top financial reads. He's delivered a slew of 'lectures with funny bits' on everything from taxation to mining to weights and measures, as well as hosting two financial comedy shows for BBC Radio 4, More Money than Sense with Andy Zatzman, Shazia Mirza and Paul Sinha and Damned Lies with Sir David Spiegelhalter. His previous books, Life After the State, Bitcoin- The Future of Money? and Daylight Robbery, all tackle big ideas about money with both wit and clarity.

Reviews for The Secret History of Gold: Myth, Money, Politics and Power

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