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Bitcoin: The future of money?
'Bitcoin is one of the most important innovations of our time – it will transform the way we do business. Dominic Frisby has written a great account. Read it and glimpse into the future' —Sir Richard Branson In 2008, while the world was busy panicking about the global financial crisis, a computer programmer called Satoshi Nakamoto posted a message on an out-of-the-way mailing list. ‘I’ve been working on a new electronic cash system,’ he said. ‘It might make sense to get some just in case it catches on.’ Nobody seemed to care. But what he had programmed would become the world’s most famous alternative Bitcoin. Economists, anarchists, speculators, computer coders, libertarians, criminals and entrepreneurs were inspired across the world. Early adopters would make a return two million times larger than their investment. Now it seems that Bitcoin will do to banking and finance what email did to the postal service and what the internet did to destroy old monopolies and create opportunities for the masses. Some even suggest that the technology behind Bitcoin will usurp our Western systems of representative democracy. In this gripping book, Dominic Frisby sets out to solve the mystery surrounding the identity of Bitcoin’s secretive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. He shows how Bitcoin will change the world. And, perhaps most importantly of all, he does something nobody else has hitherto been able to he explains in layman’s language exactly how it works. 'The book’s outstanding, but the story it tells is even better.’ —Matt Ridley, The Times ‘In this highly readable yet technically accomplished book, Dominic Frisby makes crypto currencies crystal clear. Read it, or fail to understand possibly the most important financial innovation of our time.' —Liam Halligan, Sunday Telegraph 'Despite having an MSc in Computer Science and spending over ten years studying monetary theory, I ignored Bitcoin as hype for too long. You shouldn’t. Read Dominic’s thrilling book and discover the next big thing.’ —Steve Baker, MP
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2014
44 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Dominic Frisby
12 books72 followersDominic Frisby is a comedian from London.
But his first book, Life After The State, has nothing to do with comedy. It is a deadly serious dismantling of the way societies are run in the west, outlining the damage governments unknowingly do to their people, with simple suggestions about how things can be vastly improved.
Dominic writes an investment column for MoneyWeek and has written and produced numerous short films and videos, including the viral hit 'Debt Bomb'. His script-writing ranges from episodes of the kids' show 'Roary the Racing Car' to the feature documentary 'The Four Horsemen', about the global financial crisis. He is a frequent speaker on gold and money on television, radio and at conferences.
Frisby is also a comedian and actor, described as 'viciously funny and inventive' by the Guardian; 'masterful' by the Evening Standard; and 'great comedy talent' by Chortle.co.uk.
Day-to-day he is found trotting about the sound studios of London, voicing everything from BBC nature documentaries to zombies in Hollywood blockbusters.
He has also worked as a TV presenter, a boxing-ring announcer, a florist, a removal man, an extremely camp theatrical agent's PA, a sports commentator and a busker.
But his first book, Life After The State, has nothing to do with comedy. It is a deadly serious dismantling of the way societies are run in the west, outlining the damage governments unknowingly do to their people, with simple suggestions about how things can be vastly improved.
Dominic writes an investment column for MoneyWeek and has written and produced numerous short films and videos, including the viral hit 'Debt Bomb'. His script-writing ranges from episodes of the kids' show 'Roary the Racing Car' to the feature documentary 'The Four Horsemen', about the global financial crisis. He is a frequent speaker on gold and money on television, radio and at conferences.
Frisby is also a comedian and actor, described as 'viciously funny and inventive' by the Guardian; 'masterful' by the Evening Standard; and 'great comedy talent' by Chortle.co.uk.
Day-to-day he is found trotting about the sound studios of London, voicing everything from BBC nature documentaries to zombies in Hollywood blockbusters.
He has also worked as a TV presenter, a boxing-ring announcer, a florist, a removal man, an extremely camp theatrical agent's PA, a sports commentator and a busker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
February 19, 2016
I found this book very disappointing. Two out of the four glowing reviews in the 'product description' are not for this book, but for Dominic Frisby's seemingly better received book: Life After the State.
If you want a rather rambling journey through the characters involved in starting up cryptocurrencies, including a somewhat lengthy discourse on who the creater of Bitcoin was (or is!), then the book might be of some interest. If you really care who Satoshi Nakomoto is, and there is a complete appendix devoted to the issue, then there will probably be something of interest (it clearly became a bit of an obsession for Dominic Frisby).
However, if you are interested in Bitcoin, the currency itself, and for learning about what it is and how it works then this is not the book for you. If you are just happy to learn that Bitcoin is outside state control and somehow relies on a block chain to ensure security and uses complicated puzzles to mine new bitcoins, then fine; if it's just the personalities that interest you, you'll probably enjoy this book.
If you instead want some decent explanation of how Bitcoin actually works, how a block chain works in practice, how new bitcoins are actually mined, how security is guaranteed in practice, etc etc so you can actually start to understand cryptocurrences and take an informed view on their future, then look elsewhere. Dominic Frisby does write about the future of currencies and cryptocurrencies, but without the bedrock of being able to understand the mechanism of how cryptocurrencies actually work, one can't appreciate whether his predictions and observations have any sort of grounding in reality.
It is pretty clear that Dominic Frisby doesn't actually know much about the mechanics of Bitcoin. If he wanted to concentrate on personalities, he could have relegated some of the currency details to an appendix or appendices which just aren't there. Instead, in chapter one, we are told that bitcoins are mined by finding "the answer to a complex mathematical puzzle" along with many other simplified explanations that end up actually explaining nothing. In the acknowledgments, Dominic Frisby mentions that "the world of computer programming and cryptography was new to me six months ago..." and it shows. At the end of chapter one we are told "Well Done. You've just finished the hardest chapter in the book." Well, I would suggest that most people don't like being patronised. The patronising is all the worse because complicated detail just isn't there! I know no more about cryptocurrencies than I did when I started the book, and that was very little indeed.
I wasn't looking for a mathematical textbook on cryptography and cryptocurrencies, but I was really hoping for a book that would actually explain how Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies actually exist and work in practice. If you are hoping for the same, look elsewhere.
If you want a rather rambling journey through the characters involved in starting up cryptocurrencies, including a somewhat lengthy discourse on who the creater of Bitcoin was (or is!), then the book might be of some interest. If you really care who Satoshi Nakomoto is, and there is a complete appendix devoted to the issue, then there will probably be something of interest (it clearly became a bit of an obsession for Dominic Frisby).
However, if you are interested in Bitcoin, the currency itself, and for learning about what it is and how it works then this is not the book for you. If you are just happy to learn that Bitcoin is outside state control and somehow relies on a block chain to ensure security and uses complicated puzzles to mine new bitcoins, then fine; if it's just the personalities that interest you, you'll probably enjoy this book.
If you instead want some decent explanation of how Bitcoin actually works, how a block chain works in practice, how new bitcoins are actually mined, how security is guaranteed in practice, etc etc so you can actually start to understand cryptocurrences and take an informed view on their future, then look elsewhere. Dominic Frisby does write about the future of currencies and cryptocurrencies, but without the bedrock of being able to understand the mechanism of how cryptocurrencies actually work, one can't appreciate whether his predictions and observations have any sort of grounding in reality.
It is pretty clear that Dominic Frisby doesn't actually know much about the mechanics of Bitcoin. If he wanted to concentrate on personalities, he could have relegated some of the currency details to an appendix or appendices which just aren't there. Instead, in chapter one, we are told that bitcoins are mined by finding "the answer to a complex mathematical puzzle" along with many other simplified explanations that end up actually explaining nothing. In the acknowledgments, Dominic Frisby mentions that "the world of computer programming and cryptography was new to me six months ago..." and it shows. At the end of chapter one we are told "Well Done. You've just finished the hardest chapter in the book." Well, I would suggest that most people don't like being patronised. The patronising is all the worse because complicated detail just isn't there! I know no more about cryptocurrencies than I did when I started the book, and that was very little indeed.
I wasn't looking for a mathematical textbook on cryptography and cryptocurrencies, but I was really hoping for a book that would actually explain how Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies actually exist and work in practice. If you are hoping for the same, look elsewhere.
July 11, 2021
تقریبا 40 درصد کتاب در خصوص این موضوع بود که ساتوشی ناکاموتو خالق بیت کوین چه کسی است و چقدر احتمال دارد که فلان شخص باشد!
آخر سر هم معلوم نشد که خالق بیت کوین کیست و البته این موضوع اصلا مهم نیست من دنبال کتاب عمیق تری بودم در خصوص دلیل پیدایش بیت کوین و یا آینده ی بیت کوین و یا نقد و بررسی آن از دیدگاه اقتصاددانهای مختلف ولی الحق کتاب زرد و الکی بود
دو ستاره برای اطلاعات جسته و گریخته ای که از تاریخچه پیدایش بیت کوین داده بود
آخر سر هم معلوم نشد که خالق بیت کوین کیست و البته این موضوع اصلا مهم نیست من دنبال کتاب عمیق تری بودم در خصوص دلیل پیدایش بیت کوین و یا آینده ی بیت کوین و یا نقد و بررسی آن از دیدگاه اقتصاددانهای مختلف ولی الحق کتاب زرد و الکی بود
دو ستاره برای اطلاعات جسته و گریخته ای که از تاریخچه پیدایش بیت کوین داده بود
July 29, 2019
I am a glutton for punishment I guess. I have decided to read every bitcoin book out there. This one is pretty awful. Hey, Bitcoin is the enemy of the state--but also, it's going to be revolutionary and the reason we know is that the central bank might accept it one day! pick a lane.
October 17, 2014
Excellent! Couldn't put it down. I enjoyed Life After the State as it reinforced much of what I'd come across in the writings of the Christian Reconstruction movement, the FEE and various libertarians basically that modern government is a scam and there is no need and actually it is dangerous to have big government encroach on every area of life. The more British oriented analysis really brought the message home as I was able to ask my dad about his early memories of Friendly Societies and other groups that looked after the poor. As a working class family in Dagenham pre World War II and his father with long term health issues they did not starve, they could afford a doctor and my dad went to school.
Bitcoin looks to the future and how to unhook money from government. If government can't make money or it's fiat money competes fairly with any competing currency government couldn't inflate the money supply to fight the huge, prolonged wars of the 20th century. Bitcoin may or may not survive. That is debated at the end of the book. It may be just a beginning and there are many alternative crypto currencies out there. The issue is that blockchain technology now enables people anywhere to transfer money with almost no cost with no need to trust a third party [banks etc]. Looking further ahead block chain technology will allow any two persons two exchange any digital information securely with no trust in a third party. Here comes secure and truly peer to peer social networks and every time of online service.
Get ready for change.
Bitcoin looks to the future and how to unhook money from government. If government can't make money or it's fiat money competes fairly with any competing currency government couldn't inflate the money supply to fight the huge, prolonged wars of the 20th century. Bitcoin may or may not survive. That is debated at the end of the book. It may be just a beginning and there are many alternative crypto currencies out there. The issue is that blockchain technology now enables people anywhere to transfer money with almost no cost with no need to trust a third party [banks etc]. Looking further ahead block chain technology will allow any two persons two exchange any digital information securely with no trust in a third party. Here comes secure and truly peer to peer social networks and every time of online service.
Get ready for change.
December 21, 2014
Probably more 3.5 to be fair. Marked down mainly because:
1) I'd have liked more on the technical workings of Bitcoin - this was covered very briefly in the first chapter.
2) The chapter speculating on the identity of Bitcoin's creator was of limited interested and I felt dragged a little.
Otherwise an interesting read.
1) I'd have liked more on the technical workings of Bitcoin - this was covered very briefly in the first chapter.
2) The chapter speculating on the identity of Bitcoin's creator was of limited interested and I felt dragged a little.
Otherwise an interesting read.
Want to read
May 24, 2017
Now booming at $2,100.
-When, busting?
Beware:
https://cryptocity.wordpress.com/2015...
January 22, 2025
Pretty interesting read since this was written in 2014 but I think for a layman's intro to BTC not enough on the technical aspect. Wish I bought the book in 2014 along w some BTC and Ethereum lol
May 14, 2018
Notes:
-Early adopters of new technologies are rewarded generously, specifically in fintech.
-A deflationary system of money means savers are rewarded rather than debtors – a paradigm shift in the way things work.
-A society that transparently taxes consumption rather than production means labour is rewarded rather than penalized.
-Cryptocurrencies enable paid content & micropayments at scale that hasn't been possible before
-Government and banks are screwing us over 10x more than we know.
-No one should have control over anyone elses currency.
-Decreasing high centralized power structures is valuable.
-People either think it’s a scam or simply don’t care. Many would change their minds if they bothered to study it. I’m yet to meet an informed bear.
-Buy Bitcoin and Altcoins
-Early adopters of new technologies are rewarded generously, specifically in fintech.
-A deflationary system of money means savers are rewarded rather than debtors – a paradigm shift in the way things work.
-A society that transparently taxes consumption rather than production means labour is rewarded rather than penalized.
-Cryptocurrencies enable paid content & micropayments at scale that hasn't been possible before
-Government and banks are screwing us over 10x more than we know.
-No one should have control over anyone elses currency.
-Decreasing high centralized power structures is valuable.
-People either think it’s a scam or simply don’t care. Many would change their minds if they bothered to study it. I’m yet to meet an informed bear.
-Buy Bitcoin and Altcoins
January 13, 2018
Dominic is a good writer, the research is deep, the reading is easy. This book is practically elementary information about the topic, however an excellent start for the beginners. It reads like a thriller.
In the manuscript you will learn about the evolution of bitcoin, about its initial developers, the genius behind Satoshi, concrete applications of the cryptocurrency, besides the potential economic, political and social implications.
Read it! You will know more about something that is growing everyday with a huge force.
In the manuscript you will learn about the evolution of bitcoin, about its initial developers, the genius behind Satoshi, concrete applications of the cryptocurrency, besides the potential economic, political and social implications.
Read it! You will know more about something that is growing everyday with a huge force.
April 12, 2021
3.8 star ratings
If you are looking for a non-tech introduction to bitcoin, this is the book to pick.
This was written pretty good, investigative and clear. That said this book is worded more than a newspaper or magazine article so be prepared. I am sure a number of readers may skip pages especially those centered on finding the bitcoin creator...whilst i enjoyed this, I know for anyone looking for quick information summary, these parts of the book just serve as entertaining fillers.
If you are looking for a non-tech introduction to bitcoin, this is the book to pick.
This was written pretty good, investigative and clear. That said this book is worded more than a newspaper or magazine article so be prepared. I am sure a number of readers may skip pages especially those centered on finding the bitcoin creator...whilst i enjoyed this, I know for anyone looking for quick information summary, these parts of the book just serve as entertaining fillers.
November 7, 2015
Although some of the technology is beyond me - I still don't know what a block chain is - I understand the political ramifications of money with government or borders. Many detractors of the anarchist philosophy question what the end product will look like. But anarchism is a process not a finality. It starts with the individual refusing to accept the right of centralized authority to control their lives. How an "Anarchist Utopia" will function at some point in the future is irrelevant. It seems to me that crypto-currencies will play a significant role in the process of decentralizing power.
Well written and largely comprehensible to the lay person. Only minus point was the overly detailed and fruitless speculation as to the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto...it's an anagram of "Ask not, I'm a hoot" this throws as much light as the pages of who he isn't.
Well written and largely comprehensible to the lay person. Only minus point was the overly detailed and fruitless speculation as to the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto...it's an anagram of "Ask not, I'm a hoot" this throws as much light as the pages of who he isn't.
September 6, 2016
I love how i learn from books. Dominic Frisby has written a very readable book on economcs technology and finance which has elements of mystery too. If you are a layperson (like me) who wants to know what Bitcoin is all about this book is perfect for u. It takes you on a fun ride , makes u aware of concepts. Heck u even learn stylometrics at one point :P
The author's views were lucidly present on an anarchic system. I felt the bad effects were glossed over a bit. Trafficking is a big problem and if Bitcoin facilitates that we have a big problem. How can he be so intent on removing the power of welfare state without having a proper replacement in place? But these are my concerns with his ideology and not his book and I really enjoyed exposing myself to a completely different point of view.
The author's views were lucidly present on an anarchic system. I felt the bad effects were glossed over a bit. Trafficking is a big problem and if Bitcoin facilitates that we have a big problem. How can he be so intent on removing the power of welfare state without having a proper replacement in place? But these are my concerns with his ideology and not his book and I really enjoyed exposing myself to a completely different point of view.
April 6, 2019
Generally an OK intro to Bitcoin. Details where it came from and who it was developed by. No detail about how the blockchain works. A lot about who Satoshi Nakamoto (the person credited with inventing Bitcoin) could be.
A little dated now. It's 5 years old!
Overall it seems fairly accurate. Frisby is no computer expert tho'. Some development details are just wrong. He thinks GNU is an operating system!? .. I think he means GNU/Linux. I always thought of GNU as being the FSF project of free software.
Easy read but I wished it wasn't so old and I wished it had a bit more technical detail on how it worked rather than the helicopter view from an economist.
A little dated now. It's 5 years old!
Overall it seems fairly accurate. Frisby is no computer expert tho'. Some development details are just wrong. He thinks GNU is an operating system!? .. I think he means GNU/Linux. I always thought of GNU as being the FSF project of free software.
Easy read but I wished it wasn't so old and I wished it had a bit more technical detail on how it worked rather than the helicopter view from an economist.
January 4, 2022
Meh. I kind of understand bitcoin better but not really. Book seems to have a lot of arguments that counter each other (it’s money, it’s a commodity, it’s a way to store information, bitcoin is awesome and will change the world, bitcoin actually isn’t the best and will be replaced by something better…). Lots of discussion and time spent on speculation about who Satoshi Nakamoto is and I don’t see why anyone cares or how knowing if that is a real person or group of people or just a fake name makes any difference to what bitcoin is or how it works. Upside, the book is a quick and easy read. Very easy to skim through the parts you don’t care about.
December 10, 2014
Wonderfull introduction to this brave new world of cryptocurrencies. Very reader friendly and gives a brief but imformative history in the creation of bitcoin. Gives tips on how to obtain bitcoins and how the blockchain technology will change the world.
August 13, 2016
Excellent, light-weight introduction to bitcoin - concise, entertaining, explaining complicated subjects in plan English. I just wished that the author got a bit more technical on how blockchain works, just as he did while investigating Satoshi Nakamoto's identity.
February 18, 2015
really good stuff in here
May 31, 2019
(3.5) Certainly an interesting book that does well in highlighting the immense potential that lies within bitcoin and block chain. It illustrates quite intuitively what change could be achieved by the underlying technology of block chain.
However, it seems Frisby is a bit blinded by his (understandable) admiration for bitcoin and block chain. So much so that there is a severe lack of critical thought in the book to an extent which is rather surprising if not disturbing. As an example, it is mentioned multiple times throughout the book that the anonymity of block chain could also open doors for money laundering or funding of terrorist activities. Nevertheless, it is at no point elaborated specifically in the book how these dangers affect a practical implementation of bitcoin in the mainstream. Whatever your view on bitcoin, I feel a book about it with 220+ pages deserves at least a couple of paragraphs outlining the dangers of the technology and its consequences instead on treating such fairly grave dangers as afterthought.
This unfortunately gives the reader the impression of not having the complete picture about the topic because the book simply glosses over flaws of the technology or ignores them entirely. Further, if you do not agree with libertarian views, you might struggle to enjoy this book since plenty of arguments seem to bank on a libertarian school of thought.
It is still a very enjoyable book which serves as quite a capturing introduction to the topic of you are interested to learn more about this very prominent technology.
However, it seems Frisby is a bit blinded by his (understandable) admiration for bitcoin and block chain. So much so that there is a severe lack of critical thought in the book to an extent which is rather surprising if not disturbing. As an example, it is mentioned multiple times throughout the book that the anonymity of block chain could also open doors for money laundering or funding of terrorist activities. Nevertheless, it is at no point elaborated specifically in the book how these dangers affect a practical implementation of bitcoin in the mainstream. Whatever your view on bitcoin, I feel a book about it with 220+ pages deserves at least a couple of paragraphs outlining the dangers of the technology and its consequences instead on treating such fairly grave dangers as afterthought.
This unfortunately gives the reader the impression of not having the complete picture about the topic because the book simply glosses over flaws of the technology or ignores them entirely. Further, if you do not agree with libertarian views, you might struggle to enjoy this book since plenty of arguments seem to bank on a libertarian school of thought.
It is still a very enjoyable book which serves as quite a capturing introduction to the topic of you are interested to learn more about this very prominent technology.
April 7, 2025
A bit out of date bit feels pretty solid as an introduction to the world of Bitcoin. I've recently decided to find out about it, so this seemed like a good place to start as he's British and I know he can write.
It's about as accessible as its going to get and has lots of good lore about the creator of the currency, which is good fun.
Some of it seems bit off. Like telling you how secure it is but also how many people have been absolutely fleeced of all their savings by being hacked. Frisby himself was hacked and lost a small fortune although that's not mentioned and might have been slightly after the book came out.
Anyway, it's good as an intro. It hits the tech (but it's not a techy book) and the economic argument (but it's not an economics textbook), it does the politics and how to actually get the bloody things. It's a bit of everything. If you really want something meaty, look elsewhere, but I'm not ready for that yet.
It's about as accessible as its going to get and has lots of good lore about the creator of the currency, which is good fun.
Some of it seems bit off. Like telling you how secure it is but also how many people have been absolutely fleeced of all their savings by being hacked. Frisby himself was hacked and lost a small fortune although that's not mentioned and might have been slightly after the book came out.
Anyway, it's good as an intro. It hits the tech (but it's not a techy book) and the economic argument (but it's not an economics textbook), it does the politics and how to actually get the bloody things. It's a bit of everything. If you really want something meaty, look elsewhere, but I'm not ready for that yet.
February 27, 2018
The book is pretty non-technical after the first few chapters - where you learn about the basics behind cryptocurrency* - and should serve as a good introduction, especially to people who prefer a more narrative approach. One thing that concerns me is that for an innovation that is supposed to correct many issues we have with non-crypto, centralised currencies, such as governments being able to wantonly devalue the currency or confiscate your funds from a bank, the fact that half of all bitcoin is in the hands of about 50 people isn't encouraging. Hopefully quite so stark a concentration of wealth is overcome with other cryptocurrencies.
*The author states early on that the “bitcoin” in the title should be “cryptocurrency”, but he went with the former because it's more instantly recognisable to the public. Like almost all crypto books bitcoin is understandably the case study.
*The author states early on that the “bitcoin” in the title should be “cryptocurrency”, but he went with the former because it's more instantly recognisable to the public. Like almost all crypto books bitcoin is understandably the case study.
July 18, 2017
I read this book and Blockchain Revolution because I wanted to understand a bit more about Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and shared ledger technology. Both only gave about a chapter of information on those topics, with the remaining pages enthusing a radically unconvincing libertarian utopia. Nothing indicates that Bitcoin or Ethereum threaten the existence of banks. On the contrary, the kind of neurotic schisming that occurs in a free market has made both currencies extremely volatile (although not that much more than usual really), with rival currencies likely to pop up as blockchain traffic increases. Seems less like revolutionary technology and more the ephemera of bored venture capitalists during a time of low interest rates
March 7, 2022
Frisby does a good job in going through the foundation of how Bitcoin was created, and where it may be going. Personally I am on the fence as to whether or not there is intrinsic value to it. Is is pure monetary value, or intrinsic, or both? Or, is it a completely different asset class altogether? Time and the markets will tell.
I think the interesting side to bitcoin lays in the Block-chain and other applications that can be laid on top of that database. NFTs currently, to me, are interesting. I want to learn more, and this was the first book I read on crypto currency focusing on Bitcoin. So, this is a good foundational book, if you are a true beginner. Also, there is some British humor to his writing style which is a nice touch.
I think the interesting side to bitcoin lays in the Block-chain and other applications that can be laid on top of that database. NFTs currently, to me, are interesting. I want to learn more, and this was the first book I read on crypto currency focusing on Bitcoin. So, this is a good foundational book, if you are a true beginner. Also, there is some British humor to his writing style which is a nice touch.
June 25, 2017
In January 2009, an unknown named Satoshi Nakamoto, released the first bitcoin software and blockchain database to the unassuming world; Bitcoin Version 0.1 was born.
Since that time, Bitcoin has been heralded and repudiated in the public arena for the same intrinsic reasons; it's unregulated, open-source and finite in number - only 21 million exist. Frisby's book goes into great detail about Bitcoin's inception, it's place in the modern age, and where he sees cryptocurrency going. Many financiers and skeptics say Bitcoin has no future and is virtually worthless; however if Nakamoto's 1 Million Bitcoin wallet is anything to go by; $2.7 Billion is a whole lot of worthless...
Since that time, Bitcoin has been heralded and repudiated in the public arena for the same intrinsic reasons; it's unregulated, open-source and finite in number - only 21 million exist. Frisby's book goes into great detail about Bitcoin's inception, it's place in the modern age, and where he sees cryptocurrency going. Many financiers and skeptics say Bitcoin has no future and is virtually worthless; however if Nakamoto's 1 Million Bitcoin wallet is anything to go by; $2.7 Billion is a whole lot of worthless...
October 1, 2017
Really enjoyed this book on an emerging technology that I am finding very interesting to explore.
The author does a good job of trying to explain what cryptocurrency is about and he also introduces economic history and principals to the layman without being boring. I found myself wanting to continually get back to the book to learn more.
But four stars as the chapter speculating who the creater of Bitcoin is went on a bit too much. I suspect the author had put the most amount of time and research into this part and couldn't bear to omit any of it.
Also probably a little bit outdated now due to the speed of development with this new technology.
The author does a good job of trying to explain what cryptocurrency is about and he also introduces economic history and principals to the layman without being boring. I found myself wanting to continually get back to the book to learn more.
But four stars as the chapter speculating who the creater of Bitcoin is went on a bit too much. I suspect the author had put the most amount of time and research into this part and couldn't bear to omit any of it.
Also probably a little bit outdated now due to the speed of development with this new technology.
August 7, 2019
This book was surprisingly thorough but managed to keep a good pace. The cover my lead some to think that it's just another chewing gum book trying to jump on the Bitcoin hype train, but never judge a book by its cover. As a cryptocurrency enthusiast myself I was still surprised at some of the things revealed in this book, such as the possible identity of the Bitcoin creator( Satoshi Nakamoto) and the hidden online communities where some of the most revolutionary ideas are being discussed. It was easy to understand, but not annoyingly so. I would recommend this book be read by everyone. It really is a great read.
July 19, 2018
Ihan innostava esitys Bitcoinista ja kryptorahasta. Parhaimmillaan kun selittää rahan luonnetta, ja valtioiden luonnetta rahan teossa. Kertoo myös yleistajuisesti siitä, mitä Bitcoinissa lopulta on vallankumouksellista. Myös todellisen Satoshi Nakamoton etsintä on kiinnostavaa luettavaa, varsinkin kun Bitcoinin tekijällä on täytynyt olla joukko aika erikoistuneita taitoja ja ominaisuuksia. Jostain syystä Bitcoinin tekemisestä tuli mieleen Unabomber, kenties kummankin tahon pelottavan tehokkuuden vuoksi.
July 17, 2025
One of my favourite books about Bitcoin, written in 2014 when bitcoin was $500 USD.
This book is my new recommendation for anyone wanting to know more about Bitcoin. It covers the important areas. Its origins, the characters involved, the problems it aims to solve (important to understand) and its potential for impacting the future.
The audio version read by Dominic is excellent. Dominic is amusing, insightful, and reading it in 2025, prescient! Love his thorough investigation into Satoshi.
Block: 905923, Price: $118,265 USD.
This book is my new recommendation for anyone wanting to know more about Bitcoin. It covers the important areas. Its origins, the characters involved, the problems it aims to solve (important to understand) and its potential for impacting the future.
The audio version read by Dominic is excellent. Dominic is amusing, insightful, and reading it in 2025, prescient! Love his thorough investigation into Satoshi.
Block: 905923, Price: $118,265 USD.
February 7, 2019
Great storytelling! It was a pleasant surprise as I expected nothing and devoured it in no time.
Bitcoin and DLT technologies will gradually impact everything from money, marketing, media, music, organizations, and many other things we can't even conceive yet. Though it is not a panacea, it is the most significant structural P2P revolution of our times. What a time to be alive!
This book goes behind the technology and presents well-founded ideas on who is Satoshi Nakamoto, behind-the-scenes of the crypto space, and the underlying ideology behind the tech. On the other hand, it is slightly outdated, hence the 4 stars.
Looking forward to the updated version!
Bitcoin and DLT technologies will gradually impact everything from money, marketing, media, music, organizations, and many other things we can't even conceive yet. Though it is not a panacea, it is the most significant structural P2P revolution of our times. What a time to be alive!
This book goes behind the technology and presents well-founded ideas on who is Satoshi Nakamoto, behind-the-scenes of the crypto space, and the underlying ideology behind the tech. On the other hand, it is slightly outdated, hence the 4 stars.
Looking forward to the updated version!
March 2, 2019
A very good introduction
This book is a great entry point for those who know little or nothing about Bitcoin. The author takes you on a well researched journey from how Bitcoin was born to speculating on its role in the future, explaining how it works in a style that almost anyone can understand. The real life sub plots to the Bitcoin story are truly amazing and I couldn't put this book down.
This book is a great entry point for those who know little or nothing about Bitcoin. The author takes you on a well researched journey from how Bitcoin was born to speculating on its role in the future, explaining how it works in a style that almost anyone can understand. The real life sub plots to the Bitcoin story are truly amazing and I couldn't put this book down.
August 29, 2019
I liked this book, but not as much as "Life After The State | why we don't need government". I expected this book to delve into the topic of money, which the author approached magnificently in the "Life After the State", but it really didn't, at least not that much, taking many pages in the pursuit of Satoshi Nakamoto. Nevertheless, it was worthwhile reading, because this investigation tells us a lot about the profile of Nakamoto.
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