"Economic literacy is an essential condition for our democracy to work. Only an educated public can make sense of the myriad of economic issues that characterize our public debate, ranging from the collapse of private pensions to the impact of outsourcing on our job markets. This series constitutes a significant step towards the achievement of this goal. Written by eminent professionals and experienced practitioners, each of its seven volumes renders complex issues easy to assimilate without sacrificing nuance or controversy. Aimed at the general public, the authors succeed in bringing to everyday life the substance of most important economic agents and forces." -- Jos^D'e R. de la Torre, Dean, Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Graduate School of Business, Florida Interntinal University

Money makes the world go around. From the earliest bartering systems to today's sophisticated electronic transfers of billions of dollars in a split second, systems of exchange have conferred value upon goods and services and created the economic glue that binds individuals, businesses, communities, and nations together. In this volume, the authors present a colorful history of money in its economic, political, socio-cultural, and even pscyhological context. The first section focuses on banks and financial institutions. The second part covers the role of currency in national sovereignty; the impact of technology; debt, credit, and equity; and money markets. The final chapters explore emerging issues, such as risk management, and emerging forms of money and investment in the electronic age. Featuring a glossary and timeline, charts and graphs, index and references, Money is an engaging introduction to this vital component of the economy.

"Dobeck and Elliot avoid the pitfalls of commenting on investments or making predictions about financial markets and focus instead on providing an integrated discussion of both historical development and contemporary reality while discussing the historical, philosophical and political-economic aspects of money, financial systems and globalization. They examine the history and evolution of money, monetary policy and central banks, financial institutions, currency and national sovereignty, financial exchanges, technology, capital markets and bonds, the short-term here and abroad, financial derivatives, risk management, regulation and the world to come that goes beyond money." - Reference & Research Book News