Overview

For thousands of years, one metal has started wars, toppled empires, crowned kings, and lured millions to their doom: gold. History of Gold chronicles humanity's timeless obsession with the shimmering element that has shaped civilizations from the dawn of history to the modern world. From the first glittering nuggets pried from prehistoric riverbeds to the gleaming dinars of Islamic caliphates, from the death masks of Mycenaean kings to the frenzied stampedes of California and Australia, this sweeping narrative reveals how gold has served as currency, deity, status symbol, and engine of conquest across every continent. Journey through the lavish temples of ancient Egypt where gold was the literal flesh of the gods, the opulent courts of Mali emperors who flooded medieval Europe with wealth, and the blood-soaked mines of Spanish America that funded an empire on which the sun never set. Witness the birth of coinage in Lydia, the glittering trade routes that stitched continents together, and the 19th-century rushes that turned ordinary dreamers into millionaires overnight while displacing entire peoples. Richly detailed yet gripping, the book explores gold's dual nature as both blessing and curse: the artistic splendor it inspired, the scientific breakthroughs it demanded, the economic systems it created, and the human suffering it so often exacted. For readers captivated by sweeping commodity histories like Salt by Mark Kurlansky, Cod by Mark Kurlansky, or The History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor, History of Gold delivers an enthralling portrait of the one substance that has dazzled, divided, and defined humanity more than any other. Perfect for history enthusiasts, investors curious about the metal's enduring value, travelers tracing ancient trade routes, or anyone who has ever held a gold coin and wondered at the stories locked inside.

Full Product Details

9783565090051

Table of Contents

Reviews

★★★★★ ""A dazzling journey through time. The chapters on African empires and the California rush read like adventure novels."" - James R., History Professor ★★★★☆ ""Finally, a book that treats gold as the world-shaping force it truly was. The pre-Columbian Americas section is breathtaking."" - Elena M., Archaeologist ★★★★★ ""Couldn't put it down. From Egyptian gods to Australian diggers, every page sparkles with fresh insight.""06 - Marcus T., Gold Investor ★★★★★ ""The best single-volume history of gold I've ever read. Balanced, beautiful, and brutally honest about the human cost."" - Sarah K., Museum Curator ★★★★ ""Fascinating overall, though the economic theory gets dense in places. Still essential reading."" - David L., Economist ★★★★★ ""Brought ancient trade routes alive. Perfect companion before visiting Peru or Ghana."" - Priya S., Travel Writer ★★★★★ ""The Islamic Golden Age chapter alone rewrote everything I thought I knew about medieval wealth."" - Ahmed H., Student ★★★★☆ ""Stunning scope. The colonial exploitation sections are hard but necessary reading."" - Olivia P., Activist ★★★★★ ""Reads like a treasure hunt through history. Already bought copies for friends."" - Liam G., Jewelry Designer ★★★★★ ""Gold has never seemed so alive, or so dangerous. Masterful storytelling."" - Rebecca F., Book Club Leader

Author Information

Skriuwer.com is a global community of writers and language enthusiasts dedicated to creating books that inspire, educate, and connect people across cultures. Our name means ""writer"" in Frisian, reflecting our core mission: we collaborate to produce multilingual content, with a special focus on preserving the Frisian language. It's one of Europe's oldest, related to English and Dutch, and spoken by around 500,000 people in the Netherlands. As a project of the nonprofit De Fryske Wrâld, we direct all profits from book sales into education, outreach, and resources to promote Frisian. This helps combat the challenges of globalization to this vulnerable yet vital language. When you choose our books, you're not just reading; you're supporting a worldwide effort to keep cultural traditions alive. Explore our collection at www.skriuwer.com and be part of the story. Hi, I'm Auke, a passionate advocate for the Frisian language with deep roots in Frisian culture. I grew up in this vibrant heritage and have dedicated myself to preserving our unique linguistic identity. It's spoken by about 500,000 people, mostly in Friesland, Netherlands. As a key contributor to Skriuwer.com, I work with others to create books that educate and inspire, helping ensure the Frisian language, recognized as an official language alongside Dutch, stays alive for future generations. My work comes from a strong belief in language as the foundation of history and belonging. I'm proud that proceeds from these books support nonprofit efforts like De Fryske Wrâld. Join me in sustaining this ancient European tongue. Let's keep Frisian thriving.

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