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Frozen Desire
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Frozen Desire

The Meaning of Money

James Buchan
FSG, 1997
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Editorial Rating

6

Qualities

  • Comprehensive
  • Analytical

Recommendation

James Buchan has written an enthralling book about the history and impact of money. He treats money as an evolving concept from early Greek writings to symbolic references in art. He considers the ability of money to speak for human desire, including its role in the primary needs to wage war and to make love. The book’s style shifts from detailed historical review to literary criticism, so it is not always an easy read, but it is always fascinating. getAbstract recommends this book to executives who want to learn more about money’s intrinsic power. Read it to learn how money shapes your world in ways you may not have considered.

Summary

Money and Desire

Money is all around us. Everywhere we turn we can purchase something with money. But what is it? Is it a tangible thing or a mere vehicle for other activity? Early Greek writings all mention the existence of money. In the Illiad, Homer mentions the exchange value of things by saying "a Greek Warrior makes a fool of a Trojan by exchanging armor worth nine oxen for amour worth a hundred." In The Politics, Aristotle discusses the need for money saying, "Men invented money, and then coinage, to make possible an international division of labor." And in Histories, Herodotus mentions the utility of money, noting, "The Lydians were the first people we know of to use a gold and silver coinage and to engage in retail trade." These early writings recognize the deep meaning money has. He writes, "Because it has the potential to fulfill any mortal purpose and convey any mortal desire, [it] becomes the absolute purpose and the object of the most intense desire it can convey."

The story of Robinson Crusoe reinforces the idea that money is incarnate desire. After his shipwreck, we are lead to believe that Crusoe is alone on the island. However, when he returns to ...

About the Author

James Buchan’s other books include The Golden Plough (1995), which won The Guardian Fiction Prize, and High Latitudes (1996). James Buchan is a former correspondent for The Financial Times. He lives in London.

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