Kindle
$8.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$29.99
Paperback
$21.59
$21.59 with 10 percent savings
List Price: $23.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 7 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 8 hrs
In Stock
$$21.59 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$21.59
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Lyn Alden
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Broken Money: Why Our Financial System is Failing Us and How We Can Make it Better Paperback – August 20, 2023

by Lyn Alden (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,090 ratings
See all formats and editions
Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
iphone with kindle app
Putting our best book forward
Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.

Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.

View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.

Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.

Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.
Get the free Kindle app: Link to the kindle app page Link to the kindle app page
Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.
View Kindle Edition
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$21.59","priceAmount":21.59,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"21","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"59","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"gv75q%2B7RzCa8nXf2kgOw6Y3Na7b26TzhhSAaL6sBLD3NAAXQwSoXgazpXdKWEQLWsTCeFE70iPmxq5%2BR2FNB2oBNj%2FBsSdFlEcivfVDNMyucNyxfSHtZahMmlxLb6Uc7S3oWAQfXGztTayxVwaujPA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

A Comprehensive Overview of the Past, Present, and Future of Money

Broken Money explores the history of money through the lens of technology. Politics can affect things temporarily and locally, but technology is what drives things forward globally and permanently. The book's goal is for the reader to walk away with a deep understanding of money and monetary history, both in terms of theoretical foundations and in terms of practical implications.

From shells to gold, from papyrus bills of exchange to central banks, and from the invention of the telegraph to the creation of Bitcoin, Lyn Alden walks the reader through the emergence of new technologies that have shaped what we use as money over the ages. And beyond that, Alden explores the concept of what money is at its very foundation to give the reader a framework to analyze and compare different types of monetary technologies and monetary theories.

The book also takes a distinctively human look at how money impacts the lives of real people, and how new monetary technologies shape the power structures within society.

In the modern era, energy abundance and technological enhancements have broadly improved human well-being, but the global monetary system has been slow to keep up. There are over 160 active currencies in the world, each with a local monopoly over its own country, and with little or no acceptance elsewhere. Many of them are rapidly diluted, which continually devalues the savings and the wages of the billions of people who live and work within those jurisdictions. Being born in the "wrong" country makes saving money far harder than it needs to be.

Nigeria has a population of over 200 million people and has averaged 13% annualized inflation over the past decade. Egypt cut its currency in half relative to the dollar twice over the past decade, which instantly devalued the savings and wages of its 100 million citizens. Dozens of countries have experienced at least triple-digit year-over-year inflation within the past four decades, including Brazil that outright hyperinflated in the 1990s while it was the fifth most populous country in the world.

Europe and Japan had $18 trillion worth of negative-yielding bonds in 2019, right before a wave of inflation wiped their purchasing power away. In 2021, the chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve dismissed the idea that the sharp rise in the money supply from the pandemic stimulus would lead to price inflation. By 2022, as major inflation emerged, the chairman rapidly changed his outlook and tightened monetary policy so quickly that it led to the failure of some of the largest banks in the country.

How did we get to this point? Why isn't our money better than this in the 21st century? Broken Money answers these questions by examining the current mix of technology that has led to these limitations, and then explores emerging technologies that may be able to provide us with a monetary system that is fit for the modern era.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    538 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 20, 2023
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 1.35 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-13
    979-8988666318
  6. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

Broken Money: Why Our Financial System is Failing Us and How We Can Make it Better
$21.59
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 7
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking
$20.20
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 7
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Price of Tomorrow: Why Deflation is the Key to an Abundant Future
$17.06
Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 8
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Choose items to buy together.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CG8985FR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Timestamp Press (August 20, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 538 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8988666318
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.72 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.35 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,090 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Lyn Alden

Lyn Alden

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Lyn Alden is an independent investment and macroeconomic analyst that provides research for retail and institutional investors at lynalden.com. With a background that blends engineering and finance, she specializes in analysis of energy systems and monetary systems. In addition to her research publications, Lyn also serves on the board of directors for Swan.com and is an advisor to the venture capital firm ego death capital.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
1,090 global ratings
Great in-depth book
5 Stars
Great in-depth book
I actually bought the hard copy of this book to share with friends and family. I had listened to the audible version of this before, but I also like to see the graphs and figures that are only referenced in the audio version. Lyn did a lot of research and references a lot of studies, historical data, and past authors in this book and she gives you a very in-depth history of currencies and the monetary systems they were used in through the ages up to recent years including bitcoin. Now along with “Richest Man Of Babylon”, this book is on my kids home school curriculum albeit this book is a lot more advanced and probably requires a older teenager (high school/college age) to grasp and understand it.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Robert Pahl
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
Lyn's analysis of monetary history is extraordinarily complete, yet exceptionally accessible to the average person. Her proposition that the increased speed of transactions caused the downfall of sound money is unique and profound. Her analysis of our monetary future is honest and unbiased. Great read for anyone attempting to gain insight in these changing times.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Luke cole
5.0 out of 5 stars Great in-depth book
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
I actually bought the hard copy of this book to share with friends and family. I had listened to the audible version of this before, but I also like to see the graphs and figures that are only referenced in the audio version. Lyn did a lot of research and references a lot of studies, historical data, and past authors in this book and she gives you a very in-depth history of currencies and the monetary systems they were used in through the ages up to recent years including bitcoin. Now along with “Richest Man Of Babylon”, this book is on my kids home school curriculum albeit this book is a lot more advanced and probably requires a older teenager (high school/college age) to grasp and understand it.
Customer image
Luke cole
5.0 out of 5 stars Great in-depth book
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024
I actually bought the hard copy of this book to share with friends and family. I had listened to the audible version of this before, but I also like to see the graphs and figures that are only referenced in the audio version. Lyn did a lot of research and references a lot of studies, historical data, and past authors in this book and she gives you a very in-depth history of currencies and the monetary systems they were used in through the ages up to recent years including bitcoin. Now along with “Richest Man Of Babylon”, this book is on my kids home school curriculum albeit this book is a lot more advanced and probably requires a older teenager (high school/college age) to grasp and understand it.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
Helpful
 Report
Seattlite
5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating, clearly writting, incredibly important
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
Verified Purchase
Our money system favors the rich and almost inevitably leads to economic disaster. Broken Money explains how money evolved, how our money system functions and lays out the problems. An excellent, very readable and important book.
Helpful
 Report
paul
5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Solution That Gives You Control
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
Bitcoin could be, perhaps should be, a global-game-changer. Lyn Alden does a fine job of placing Bitcoin in larger contexts: technological, historical, economic, political. Her perspective is that of an engineer evaluating a new tool that has come on the market. By the end, she has compared Bitcoin to historical solutions (gold), current solutions (fiat), and other proposed solutions (other crypto). Only Bitcoin provides the functionality of a strong currency (value that cannot be debased, ease and speed of exchange, privacy, freedom from manipulation, and ability to operate across time and distance). Her historical analysis is necessary so that readers understand what the attributes of a universal currency should be and what vulnerabilities led - over time - to the failure of previous econo-politico-financial monetary solutions.

Implicitly, she asks, "Does Bitcoin meet the need?" "Does it avoid previous and recurring difficulties?" "Does it create new problems?" "Are there other crypto solutions that are just as good, but cheaper, safer, easier to implement, more acceptable to users, or more acceptable to regulators or governments?" This book is a 500+ page "software review." After years of research, thought, and due diligence, Ms. Alden concludes that Bitcoin could be a much-needed improvement and should be supported/adopted. She recounts her own journey, from moderate skepticism to cautious support. She believes that fiat currencies and the current global system of petro-dollars has/is/will fail most people in the world. She believes that proof-of-stake currencies are mortally flawed and that stable coins simply digitize the economic unfairness of fiat currency. All that is left on her workbench is Bitcoin (and a few much smaller proof-of-work currencies). Since Bitcoin has already attained considerable size, use, and acceptance, she recommends it. Her recommendation is not absolute, but considered and conditional. Alden is an engineer. She understands the evolution of tools, systems and technologies. She is pragmatic. Bitcoin is the best tool currently available. If the current fiat currency/national bank/petro-dollar system is imploding (I agree it is), drastic change is a required. Economic and political forces advocate for their version of a new system (just as such forces did at Bretton Woods). Alden asks us to see that for what it is and reject the status quo's self-serving digital solutions. She asks us to embrace Bitcoin since it is the only solution that can give us, "the other 99%," some "control of the ledger."

I am less optimistic than Alden. I consider her evaluation of the global monetary crisis and Bitcoin's potential value sound. But I do not trust that most people or most companies will refuse the strongly marketed digital solutions offered by governments, regulators, and banks. Most people (sad to say) value convenience, personal costs, and immediate benefits more than privacy, public cost, and long-term benefits. Bitcoin should survive and grow, but it is unlikely to become a single, universal currency. Alden has little faith in public institutions. Sad. Apparently, I have little faith in people (even sadder). Or at least in their ability to resist popular trends.

The book is a must read for investors and onlookers, academics and non-academics, anyone who wants to understand the reinvention of money. The book's straightforward style and organization make it accessible and easy to translate. Even if Bitcoin fails to replace our current, flawed system, it can and should serve as a critical/useful alternative.
48 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Patrick Hyland
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book ! Must read !
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2024
Verified Purchase
A great book on the past, present, and future of money. It explains how banks leverage money and delves into the history that led to our present fractional reserve banking system. The book also highlights the dangers of currency debasement controlled by central banks, accompanied by numerous insightful graphs and charts.
The book is meticulously researched, and I am extremely pleased with my purchase. It offers something for everyone and is particularly valuable for those interested in learning more about Bitcoin. This timely book is an easy read that can significantly expand your knowledge of finance. Overall, it is a truly exceptional read.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Arlington, VA
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book About Money
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is a timely, accessible, well written and researched masterpiece on the origins, purpose and problems presented by different types of monies.
Helpful
 Report
Dr. Warren Coats
4.0 out of 5 stars mixed
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
The second half of this book on Bitcoin is rich, informative, and well presented with a good discussion of tradeoffs and pros and cons. But it is all about the means of payment (technology of distributive ledgers etc.) and nothing about money (what is being paid—dollars, gold, SDRs, bitcoin). The first half, which is more about money, is less enlightening.
Helpful
 Report
Angus
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing content, insightful even for beginner to expert level
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024
Verified Purchase
Lyn is such an amazing content creator, and this book is rich in information that can open your mind. The price is certainly worth it as paying a small one-off price would let you know how rigged our current financial systems around the world are.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Paul Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars A lot to read
Reviewed in Canada on March 25, 2024
Verified Purchase
I was not expecting the text to be almost 500 pages and the font is small. I skimmed a few sections and am just getting started on a more thorough read. Looking forward to it and I've always found her ability to convey ideas very easy to understand - even for me. This is a particularly relevant time for the topic.
Report
Mr. M
5.0 out of 5 stars Well explained finance and economics!
Reviewed in Mexico on September 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Very readable, distilled economic commentary. Definitely changed my perspective on where the US dollar is going and it's negative impact on the majority of the developed world over the last century.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Gyorgi
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book about money and our current financial system
Reviewed in Germany on April 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book is very well written and covers with the origins of money, the different schools of thought on monetary theory up and todays financial system. It covers all kinds of money used in the past, present and discusses some potential paths for the future. There is a very useful part on todays banking system, that discusses how different forms of QE work, and how it does or doesn't impact the monetary base and the downstream effects of these forms of money printing.
Report
Roberto
5.0 out of 5 stars THE book to understand money, old and new money
Reviewed in Italy on March 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
I already knew Lyn's style and as a fellow Engineer I like her pragmatic, data and fact based approach.
I read her free and paid research since a few years and she has been able to describe well what was going on even in these turbulent times, explaining with clear words even very complex topics.

Her research, especially the macro part, but also the analysis of single titles, helped me to become a better investor and understand much better what economic forces are shaping our world.

I have loved all chapters of this book, the historical ones and the descriptive ones all alike.
I think that a lot of people will find extremely useful the explanation of how FIAT money (the dollars or euros you have in your pocket) is created and destroyed and who benefits and how, depending on the decisions of the central banks.

If you want to understand what your government is doing with your money and why keeping them in the bank or under the mattress is not a great idea I suggest you have a good read of this masterpiece of clarity. Then you can act with knowledge on how to preserve your hard earned money.
Customer image
Roberto
5.0 out of 5 stars THE book to understand money, old and new money
Reviewed in Italy on March 19, 2024
I already knew Lyn's style and as a fellow Engineer I like her pragmatic, data and fact based approach.
I read her free and paid research since a few years and she has been able to describe well what was going on even in these turbulent times, explaining with clear words even very complex topics.

Her research, especially the macro part, but also the analysis of single titles, helped me to become a better investor and understand much better what economic forces are shaping our world.

I have loved all chapters of this book, the historical ones and the descriptive ones all alike.
I think that a lot of people will find extremely useful the explanation of how FIAT money (the dollars or euros you have in your pocket) is created and destroyed and who benefits and how, depending on the decisions of the central banks.

If you want to understand what your government is doing with your money and why keeping them in the bank or under the mattress is not a great idea I suggest you have a good read of this masterpiece of clarity. Then you can act with knowledge on how to preserve your hard earned money.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
Report
Jules
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best book ever written!
Reviewed in Belgium on March 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
What a masterpiece! The best book you will find on Econcomics and Money. It is so well written, fascinating, well documented... If someone would ask me if there is one book to read in your entire life this would be the one. After every chapter you truly get the feeling that you've understood everything that was in there and you are eager to keep on reading... Already waiting to finish the book to be able to read it all over again as soon as possible. I think it definitely change my life forever. Thank you Lyn! A true genius !
Report