The power of gold : the history of an obsession
Incorporating myth, history and contemporary investigation, Bernstein tells the story of how human beings have become intoxicated, obsessed, enriched, impoverished, humbled and proud for the sake of gold. From the past to the future, Bernsteina s portrayal of gold is intimately linked to the character of humankind.
Folklore
304 pages ; 30 cm
9780470091005, 0470091002
1102125356
Prologue: The Supreme Possession. 1. Get Gold at All Hazards. 2. Midasa s Wish and the Creatures of Pure Chance. 3. Dariusa s Bathtub and the Cackling of the Geese. 4. The Symbol and the Faith. 5. Gold, Salt and the Blessed Town. 6. The Legacy of Eoba, Babba and Udd. 7. The Great Chain Reaction. 8. The Disintegrating Age and the Kingsa Ransoms. 9. The Sacred Thirst. 10. The Fatal Poison and Private Money. 11. The Asian Necropolis and Hien Tsunga s Inadvertent Innovation. 12. The Great Recoinage and the Last of the Magicians. 13. The True Doctrine and the Great Evil. 14. The New Mistress and the Cursed Discovery. 15. Strength and Failure. 16. Breaking the Golden Fetters. 17. Tearing Loos e the Golden Anchor. Bibliography. Index.
Previous edition: 2000