Do you want to understand what the heck money is, and why we use it? Take a look at “The Ascent of Money” by Niall Ferguson. In clear language he explains the history of money and the whole financial system we live in today. He floats some intriguing ideas, such as the possibility that the South lost the Civil War because of the European bond market, not because Vicksburg fell.
It’s fascinating to learn where the subprime bubble came from, how the Rothchild’s rose to power, and why we have insurance and stock markets. If you want to raise your basic money I.Q. and have an interesting read, I highly recommend “The Ascent of Money”. The book is available at Amazon.com and virtually all book stores.