The Bitcoin Standard

by Saifedean Ammous
The Bitcoin Standard cover
Good Books rating 3.17
Business and Economics
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Waterstones
Hardback • £24.95
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 6639
  • Added: 2025-11-27
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9781119473893
  • Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
  • Published: 2018-03-23
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Bitcoin Standard delves into the historical context of Bitcoin, tracing the evolution of money from primitive trading systems to modern central banks. Author Saifedean Ammous provides a comprehensive analysis of Bitcoin's economic properties and its potential impact on society. The book explains how Bitcoin operates as a decentralized, distributed piece of software that enables the traditional functions of money without relying on physical world authorities. It also addresses common questions and misconceptions about Bitcoin, offering a clear understanding of its rise as a free-market alternative to national central banks. Ammous' exploration of Bitcoin's technological possibilities and historical monetary evolution provides a fascinating look at the ramifications of voluntary free-market money. The book challenges the sacred monopoly of government-controlled money, offering the possibility of a world where money is fully extricated from politics and unrestrained by borders. With its firm grasp of both technological and historical realities, The Bitcoin Standard is an essential resource for understanding the rise of this decentralized, apolitical, and free-market alternative to traditional monetary systems.

Reviews
Monetary Alliance · 2025-02-22
informative 3.50

The last three chapters are particularly useful, offering a detailed description of how Bitcoin works and its strengths and weaknesses as a currency. The book is seen as a valuable resource for understanding Bitcoin's role in monetary policy.

This reviewer appreciates the depth of the last three chapters in The Bitcoin Standard, which provide a thorough explanation of Bitcoin's mechanics and its potential as a currency. They find the book to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding Bitcoin's role in monetary policy. While the earlier chapters may not be as compelling, the later sections offer significant insights that make the book worth reading. It's a balanced perspective that acknowledges both the strengths and weaknesses of Bitcoin, making it a useful tool for those looking to deepen their knowledge of the subject.

Quick quotes

    The last three chapters of Ammous' book are useful. He carefully describes how Bitcoin works and its strengths and weaknesses as a currency.

    The book is seen as a valuable resource for understanding Bitcoin's role in monetary policy.

    While the earlier chapters may not be as compelling, the later sections offer significant insights that make the book worth reading.

Reddit - r/btc · 2024-01-01
disappointing 1.50

The book is criticized for being overly repetitive, suggesting the author lacked sufficient material to fill the entire book. The reviewer finds the content redundant and unoriginal.

This reviewer wasn't impressed with The Bitcoin Standard, finding it repetitive and lacking in depth. They feel the author stretched their points too thin, leading to a book that feels more like a collection of recycled ideas than a comprehensive exploration of Bitcoin. While they acknowledge the importance of the subject, they think the execution falls short of expectations. It's a critique that highlights the book's weaknesses in structure and originality, making it less appealing to those looking for a fresh perspective on Bitcoin.

Quick quotes

    It's super repetitive, as if he didn't actually have enough material to fill a whole book and so kept writing the same things over and over ...

    The book feels like a collection of recycled ideas rather than a comprehensive exploration of Bitcoin.

    The execution falls short of expectations, making it less appealing to those looking for a fresh perspective on Bitcoin.

CoinGeek · 2021-08-09
inspiring 4.50

Readers find the book transformative, crediting it for introducing them to Bitcoin maximalism and the HODL philosophy. It is praised for its ability to convert skeptics into believers.

This reviewer highlights the transformative impact of The Bitcoin Standard, noting how it has successfully introduced many readers to the concepts of Bitcoin maximalism and the HODL philosophy. The book is praised for its ability to convert skeptics into believers, offering a compelling case for Bitcoin's potential as a global currency. It's a perspective that resonates with those who are new to Bitcoin and looking for a comprehensive introduction to its principles. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the book is evident, making it a strong recommendation for anyone interested in understanding the broader implications of Bitcoin.

Quick quotes

    Readers call the book transformative, crediting it for introducing them to Bitcoin maximalism and HODL philosophy.

    It is praised for its ability to convert skeptics into believers.

    The book is a compelling case for Bitcoin's potential as a global currency.

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