Synopses & Reviews
Bitcoin, the landmark digital money and financial technology, has spawned a global social movement with utopian ambitions. The notion of a new currency, maintained by the computers of users around the world, has been the butt of many jokes, but that has not stopped it from growing into a technology worth billions of dollars, supported by the hordes of followers who have come to view it as the most important new idea since the creation of the internet.
Believers from Beijing to Buenos Aires see the potential for a financial system free from banks and governments, and a new global money for the digital age. An unusual tale of group invention, Digital Gold tells the story of the colorful characters who have built Bitcoin, including a Finnish college student, an Argentinian millionaire, a Chinese entrepreneur, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, Bitcoin's elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, and the founder of the Silk Road online drug market, Ross Ulbricht.
With Digital Gold, New York Times reporter Nathaniel Popper offers a brilliant and engrossing account of this new technology—one filled with dramatic booms and busts that have led to untold riches for some and prison terms for others. But at each step of the way, Bitcoin has provided one of the most fascinating tests of how money works, who benefits from it, and what it might look like in the future.
Review
“An amazing story. Bitcoin is about to transform both finance and how we use the internet, and this fascinating book chronicles its unlikely genesis. Popper has produced a riveting tale filled with colorful innovators that is crucial reading for anyone who wants to understand the future.” < b=""> Walter Isaacson, author of < i=""> The Innovators <> <>
Review
“An elegant, thrilling tour-de-force. . . . Nathaniel Popper gives us a front-row seat on the origins of Bitcoin and its captivating cast of characters. The fast-paced action never stops.” < b=""> William D. Cohan, author of < i=""> House of Cards <> <>
Review
“Finally, the book so many of us have been waiting for: A riveting and smart account of the strange history of Bitcoin. Youll start knowing nothing about Bitcoin and finish with deep knowledge, but you wont realize youre learning along the way -- youll just think its a lot of fun.” < b=""> Adam Davidson, co-founder of NPR's < i=""> Planet Money <> <>
Review
“Bitcoin may be a product of computer science, but it is a very human story. This highly entertaining history reminds us yet again that truth can be stranger than fiction and can be peopled with even more unusual and compelling characters.” < b=""> Larry Summers, former Secretary of the Treasury <>
Review
“An engrossing introduction to one of the most transformative innovations in finance of the last few decades. Digital Gold paints a vivid portrait of the economics and technology of Bitcoin as well as the people behind it.” < b=""> Susan Athey, The Economics of Technology Professor, Stanford Graduate School of Business and Winner of the John Bates Clark Medal in Economics <>
Review
“The most compelling and in-depth investigation into the world of Bitcoin and digital currency. Nathaniel Popper charts Bitcoins fascinating transformation from fringe oddity to a truly global currency. If you want to understand the future of money, read this book.” < b=""> Joshua Davis, author of < i=""> Spare Parts <> <>
Review
“Many believe that Bitcoin is all about the algorithm: that its magnetic personalities are less important than its mathematical principles. Digital Gold is deeply-reported disproof of any such theory. Whether Bitcoin succeeds or fails will be due to the actions of the people in this book.” < b=""> Felix Salmon, senior editor, Fusion <>
Review
“Nathaniel Poppers new book, Digital Gold, is as close as you can get to being the definitive account of the history of Bitcoin.” < b=""> Felix Salmon, Fusion <>
Review
“An engrossing look at a system creatively designed to bring money into the 21st century.” < b=""> < i=""> Library Journal <> <>
Review
“So, yes, its a totally awesome book” < b=""> Justin Fox, Bloomberg <>
Review
“Necessary reading” < b=""> Bethany McLean, < i=""> New York Times Book Review <> <>
Review
“Digital Gold is as strong a narrative achievement as a reporting one” < b=""> Chris Wilson, < i=""> Bookforum <> <>
Review
“A vivid guide to the characters who met online and built bitcoin” < b=""> John Gapper, < i=""> Financial Times <> <>
Review
“Its a tale told quickly and well” < b=""> John Biggs, TechCrunch <>
Review
“An impressive accomplishment” < b=""> Tim Fernholz, Quartz <>
Review
“Bitcoin may be inherently speculative, but Digital Gold is a sound investment” < b=""> Edward Chancellor, < i=""> Reuters <> <>
Review
“This excellent work is the book on Bitcoin youve been waiting for” < b=""> Tyler Cowen, < i=""> Marginal Revolution <> <>
Review
“A family saga... structured like a tech thriller” < b=""> John Naughton, < i=""> The Guardian <> <>
Synopsis
New York Times Book Review Editor s Choice
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2015 FINANCIAL TIMES AND MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR
A New York Times technology and business reporter charts the dramatic rise of Bitcoin and the fascinating personalities who are striving to create a new global money for the Internet age.
Digital Gold is New York Times reporter Nathaniel Popper s brilliant and engrossing history of Bitcoin, the landmark digital money and financial technology that has spawned a global social movement.
The notion of a new currency, maintained by the computers of users around the world, has been the butt of many jokes, but that has not stopped it from growing into a technology worth billions of dollars, supported by the hordes of followers who have come to view it as the most important new idea since the creation of the Internet. Believers from Beijing to Buenos Aires see the potential for a financial system free from banks and governments. More than just a tech industry fad, Bitcoin has threatened to decentralize some of society s most basic institutions.
An unusual tale of group invention, Digital Gold charts the rise of the Bitcoin technology through the eyes of the movement s colorful central characters, including an Argentinian millionaire, a Chinese entrepreneur, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and Bitcoin s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Already, Bitcoin has led to untold riches for some, and prison terms for others.
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Synopsis
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2015
FINANCIAL TIMES AND MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR
A New York Times technology and business reporter charts the dramatic rise of Bitcoin and the fascinating personalities who are striving to create a new global money for the Internet age.
Digital Gold is New York Times reporter Nathaniel Poppers brilliant and engrossing history of Bitcoin, the landmark digital money and financial technology that has spawned a global social movement.
The notion of a new currency, maintained by the computers of users around the world, has been the butt of many jokes, but that has not stopped it from growing into a technology worth billions of dollars, supported by the hordes of followers who have come to view it as the most important new idea since the creation of the Internet. Believers from Beijing to Buenos Aires see the potential for a financial system free from banks and governments. More than just a tech industry fad, Bitcoin has threatened to decentralize some of societys most basic institutions.
An unusual tale of group invention, Digital Gold charts the rise of the Bitcoin technology through the eyes of the movements colorful central characters, including an Argentinian millionaire, a Chinese entrepreneur, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and Bitcoins elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Already, Bitcoin has led to untold riches for some, and prison terms for others.
About the Author
Nathaniel Popper is a reporter at The New York Times. Before joining The Times, he worked at the Los Angeles Times and the Forward. Nathaniel grew up in Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Harvard College. He lives in Brooklyn with his family.