"Planet Money" by Jacob Goldstein Publisher: Hainan Publishing House

Introduction
【Content Introduction】
Everyone seems to know about money, but what exactly is money?
Do our wages need to change when deflation or inflation occurs?
Now that society is richer, can each of us have a better life?
In this introductory book about money, the author uses interesting stories and plain language to explore how the fictional thing called "money" has evolved to adapt to humanity's ever-changing needs, and how humanity's choices about money affect the world today, helping us understand the logic and problems behind complex economic phenomena.
【Editor's recommendation】
1. The true story of fictional things, the nature of money that everyone should know
In 17th century Europe, goldsmiths accidentally became bankers, gambler mathematicians became founders of probability theory, and a small country invented the stock market and modern enterprises... This is just a small part of the journey of money evolution to date. Before that, ancient Greek coins emerged and the earliest paper money was born in China; after that, shadow banking appeared and digital cash such as Bitcoin tried to trigger innovation.
The author believes that money is a fiction created by human conspiracy, and the choices we make about money have created the world we live in today. Following the author's interesting narration, a journey of exploration to re-understand money is about to begin.
2. An excellent primer for understanding economic turmoil
When deflation or inflation occurs, do our wages need to change? If society becomes richer, can each of us have a better life? Where did the money that evaporated in the financial crisis go? Where does the money used by the central bank to fight the financial crisis come from?
In the book, the author uses easy-to-understand language to explain many economic issues that are relevant to everyone. He attempts to discuss social phenomena such as banking crises, short selling, economic growth and recession, and the replacement of labor by machinery, to help us understand the logic behind complex economic phenomena.
3. The host of the popular economics podcast Planet Money devotes himself to writing, using small stories to tell big truths
"Planet Money" is one of the most popular podcasts on National Public Radio in the United States. It is known for explaining economic principles in a simple and easy-to-understand way, with a relaxed and humorous language. As one of the hosts of this podcast, Jacob Goldstein continues the narrative style similar to "Planet Money" in this book, and carefully sorts out and verifies the content, using small stories to tell big truths.
【Recommendation】
A shocking new history…We meet all the characters you’d expect in a scholarly book, whose ideas and innovations, mixed with scandal and gossip, drive the story forward. The result is a history of money full of surprising stories…This story gets to the heart of why money matters…Planet Money should be required reading for every financial regulator…Planet Money is an excellent preparation for turbulent times: a brilliant and accessible account of how money evolved—organically, randomly, socially. —The New York Times
With shrewd observations and pithy jokes, Goldstein ... shows how money has become people's most successful fiction. —Editor's Pick, The New York Times
Clearly one of the most entertaining works (on the history of money)... Jacob Goldstein's work covers five thousand years and offers witty, sharp (and sometimes surprising) perspectives. - Reuters
Planet Money is a must-read for all those who have ever wondered what their paycheck really means. - Booklist (star review)
Goldstein has a gift for making complex economic matters simple and entertaining. He has written a highly entertaining, freewheeling history of money, told with passion, wisdom, and witty insight. --Liyaqat Ahmed, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Bankers Who Ruined the World
Jacob Goldstein makes the complexities of economics and monetary policy not only accessible but also fascinating. A journey through the history of money becomes a window into human history and how we got to where we are today. - John Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author