Debt

The First 5,000 Years

by David Graeber

Hardcover, 534 pages

English language

Published May 21, 2011 by Melville House.

ISBN:: 978-1-933633-86-2
OCLC Number:: 426794447
Goodreads:: 6617037

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(103 reviews)

The author shows that before there was money, there was debt. For 5,000 years humans have lived in societies divided into debtors and creditors. For 5,000 years debt and debt forgiveness have been at the center of political debates, laws and religions. The words “guilt,” “sin,” and “redemption” come from ancient debates about debt. These terms and the ideas of debt shape our most basic ideas of right and wrong.

23 editions

chadkoh reviewed Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber

Review of 'Debt: The First 5,000 Years' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Very thought-provoking read. The destruction of the Myth of Barter, and the spanking of the field of Economics for perpetuating it, is the obvious centerpiece for this book. In addition to that, I have to say the de-linking of "the market" and "Capitalism" was another big blow for me. It is obvious to me now that these two are not the same, but Graeber does an excellent job demolishing the foundations of received wisdom.

I will likely read this book again at some point, next time in text, not only to highlight some of the excellent lines, but also to try and grasp his judgement on credit. Though he denounces debt and ridicules coinage, he seems to be okay with credit, at least in its traditional "honourable" sense. Certainly he highlights the predatory, but I think I missed his final stance in the audio.

Nic reviewed Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber

Review of 'Debt' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Interesting, a tiny bit dry at points.

Lavinia reviewed Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber

Review of 'Debt: The First 5,000 Years' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Great, challenging book, highly recommended.

Izzmo reviewed Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber

Review of 'Debt' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

It was a very interesting and informative read, but a somewhat verbose one as well. You don't really have any choice but to read it slowly so you can be sure to take in everything he is saying. He does build to a very interesting theory in the last couple chapters which makes you really think about what is going on in today's society and how we might not, in fact, be so different from our ancient ancestors.

Sam T reviewed Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber

Review of 'Debt' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

The best book I have read in a very long time.

loppear reviewed Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber

Review of 'Debt' on Goodreads

4 stars

A little wandering and loose with history, but with a clear story to tell about the connections between debt and society, war and slavery. This interview from last year covers most of the same ground as the book: www.nakedcapitalism.com/2011/08/what-is-debt-%E2%80%93-an-interview-with-economic-anthropologist-david-graeber.html