What Has Government Done to Our Money?

and The Case for a 100 Percent Gold Dollar

By: Murray N. Rothbard

Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach

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

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!

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.

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.

What a great book

It should be a mandatory read for everyone. An enlightening overview of what money is and how governments manipulate currencies to their benefits.

Amazing

Simply amazing. This book is a wonderful pairing to The Scandal of Money by George Guilder. I’m not sure which is better to read first but they compliment each other amazingly well.

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

Rothbard was the best

Rothbard was obviously the greatest. My only concern is his point on free market Fiat currencies. Bitcoin proved him wrong there.

learned a lot

i need to go back and review parts that did not click in my brain yet. otherwise very informative. i'd like to see an addendum to cover the more recent bank shenanigans with quantitaive easing infinity. now im finished and very pleased with what I learned.

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.

Best writing about money and banking ever!

Best writing about money and banking ever Best intro to Macroeconomics too. Without this Macroeconomics makes no sense.