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Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,970 ratings

New York Times reporter’s “vivid” account of the dramatic rise of Bitcoin and how it has led to untold riches for some—and prison terms for others (Financial Times).
 
Shortlisted for the Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year
A New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice
 
The notion of a new currency, maintained by the computers of users around the world, has been the butt of many jokes, but that has not stopped it from growing into a technology worth billions of dollars, supported by the hordes of followers who have come to view it as the most important new idea since the creation of the Internet. Believers from Beijing to Buenos Aires see the potential for a financial system free from banks and governments. More than just a tech industry fad, Bitcoin has threatened to decentralize some of society’s most basic institutions.
An unusual tale of group invention, 
Digital Gold charts the rise of the Bitcoin technology through the eyes of the movement’s colorful central characters, including an Argentinian millionaire, a Chinese entrepreneur, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
 
“Engrossing.” —
Library Journal
 
“An elegant, thrilling tour-de-force. . . .The fast-paced action never stops.” —William D. Cohan,
New York Times–bestselling author of Power Failure

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An amazing story. Bitcoin is about to transform both finance and how we use the internet, and this fascinating book chronicles its unlikely genesis. Popper has produced a riveting tale filled with colorful innovators that is crucial reading for anyone who wants to understand the future.” (Walter Isaacson, author of The Innovators)

“Finally, the book so many of us have been waiting for: A riveting and smart account of the strange history of Bitcoin. You’ll start knowing nothing about Bitcoin and finish with deep knowledge, but you won’t realize you’re learning along the way -- you’ll just think it’s a lot of fun.” (
Adam Davidson, co-founder of NPR's Planet Money)

Digital Gold is as strong a narrative achievement as a reporting one” (Chris Wilson, Bookforum)

“Necessary reading” (
Bethany McLean, New York Times Book Review)

“The most compelling and in-depth investigation into the world of Bitcoin and digital currency. Nathaniel Popper charts Bitcoin’s fascinating transformation from fringe oddity to a truly global currency. If you want to understand the future of money, read this book.” (
Joshua Davis, author of Spare Parts)

“An impressive accomplishment” (
Tim Fernholz, Quartz)

“A family saga... structured like a tech thriller” (
John Naughton, The Guardian)

“Bitcoin may be a product of computer science, but it is a very human story. This highly entertaining history reminds us yet again that truth can be stranger than fiction and can be peopled with even more unusual and compelling characters.” (
Larry Summers, former Secretary of the Treasury)

“It’s a tale told quickly and well” (
John Biggs, TechCrunch)

“So, yes, it’s a totally awesome book” (
Justin Fox, Bloomberg)

“Nathaniel Popper’s new book,
Digital Gold, is as close as you can get to being the definitive account of the history of Bitcoin.” (Felix Salmon, Fusion)

“A vivid guide to the characters who met online and built bitcoin” (
John Gapper, Financial Times)

“This excellent work is the book on Bitcoin you’ve been waiting for” (
Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution)

“An elegant, thrilling tour-de-force. . . . Nathaniel Popper gives us a front-row seat on the origins of Bitcoin and its captivating cast of characters. The fast-paced action never stops.” (
William D. Cohan, author of House of Cards)

“An engrossing look at a system creatively designed to bring money into the 21st century.” (
Library Journal)

“An engrossing introduction to one of the most transformative innovations in finance of the last few decades.
Digital Gold paints a vivid portrait of the economics and technology of Bitcoin as well as the people behind it.” (Susan Athey, The Economics of Technology Professor, Stanford Graduate School of Business and Winner of the John Bates Clark Medal in Economics)

“Bitcoin may be inherently speculative, but
Digital Gold is a sound investment” (Edward Chancellor, Reuters)

From the Back Cover

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2015 FINANCIAL TIMES AND MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR

New York Times technology and business reporter charts the dramatic rise of Bitcoin and the fascinating personalities who are striving to create a new global money for the Internet age.

Digital Gold is New York Times reporter Nathaniel Popper’s brilliant and engrossing history of Bitcoin, the landmark digital money and financial technology that has spawned a global social movement.

The notion of a new currency, maintained by the computers of users around the world, has been the butt of many jokes, but that has not stopped it from growing into a technology worth billions of dollars, supported by the hordes of followers who have come to view it as the most important new idea since the creation of the Internet. Believers from Beijing to Buenos Aires see the potential for a financial system free from banks and governments. More than just a tech industry fad, Bitcoin has threatened to decentralize some of society’s most basic institutions.

An unusual tale of group invention, Digital Gold charts the rise of the Bitcoin technology through the eyes of the movement’s colorful central characters, including an Argentinian millionaire, a Chinese entrepreneur, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Already, Bitcoin has led to untold riches for some, and prison terms for others.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01D8KFX9Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition (May 17, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 17, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5743 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 435 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,970 ratings

About the author

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Nathaniel Popper
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Nathaniel Popper is the author of "The Trolls of Wall Street. How the Outcasts and Insurgents Are Hacking the Markets" from Dey Street Press. His previous book, "Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money," was a New York Times Editors Choice and a finalist for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year. He covered the worlds of Wall Street and Silicon Valley for The New York Times, dividing his time between New York City and the Bay Area, for nearly a decade. Before that, he worked at the Forward and the Los Angeles Times. A graduate of Harvard University, Nathaniel grew up in Pittsburgh and makes his home in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,970 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the detailed reporting of the bitcoin subculture and insights into the motives for its creation. The narrative style is captivating and the human stories of the main protagonists are captivating. Readers praise the writing quality as fluid and excellent. They also mention that the characters are fascinating and all the important actors are present. Overall, customers describe the book as a good starting point for anyone interested in Bitcoin.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

134 customers mention "Readability"134 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the coherent narrative and fast-paced narrative that keeps them hooked until the end. The story is organized in a way that makes it seem like a thriller.

"...reading Popper's book, which is quite accessible and almost reads like a novel at times." Read more

"...The book is well written, and fun to read. The story comes across in an interesting way, not too technical, but because of that one is still left..." Read more

"...Nathaniel Popper is a talented non-fiction writer and this was a real page-turner. I gave it five stars because I enjoyed reading it so much." Read more

"...but after Popper's book, all of them are now linked in an organized story line and they came alive in my mind...." Read more

97 customers mention "History of bitcoin"95 positive2 negative

Customers find this book an engaging read about the history of Bitcoin. It provides a reasonable account of the story, with detailed reporting on the subculture. Readers appreciate the insights into the motivations for Bitcoin's creation and the strength and weaknesses of this crypto-currency. While not much technical information is provided, it provides a good introduction to the crypto-currency world. Many consider it the best book about Bitcoin they have ever read, making their interest in it grow exponentially.

"...You will be much more knowledgable and informed about Bitcoin after reading Popper's book, which is quite accessible and almost reads like a novel..." Read more

"...: The book is an example of very fine writing and detailed reporting of the bitcoin subculture...." Read more

"...learn, and this book explained the concepts behind Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies well, and I felt I got a good understanding without having to delve..." Read more

"...The narrative is strong and clear, with in-depth details that span over about 6 years of the early history of Cryptocurrency...." Read more

59 customers mention "Narrative quality"50 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging narrative style of the book. They find it captivating and fascinating, tracing the history of Bitcoin through the lives of its main protagonists. The author does an excellent job describing the personalities and how things unfolded over time. However, some readers feel there are too many details and perspectives included in the book.

"...It didn't disappoint! Popper does an outstanding job of telling the story of Bitcoin's mysterious origins and the highs and lows of its..." Read more

"...The story comes across in an interesting way, not too technical, but because of that one is still left with many questions about Bitcoin...." Read more

"...Wow! I am shocked, this is journalism at its best, applied to a favourite but difficult to understand contemporary subject...." Read more

"...The story telling is great too and it almost reads like a novel, complete with the drama and mild suspense...." Read more

53 customers mention "Writing quality"47 positive6 negative

Customers find the book's writing quality good. They appreciate the narrative and flow of the writing. The author does an excellent job describing complex concepts, making them easy to understand. Readers describe the content as accessible and reads like a fast-paced thriller.

"...and informed about Bitcoin after reading Popper's book, which is quite accessible and almost reads like a novel at times." Read more

"The book is an easy read with an immense amount of interesting history of where Bitcoin has come from...." Read more

"...Nathaniel Popper is a talented non-fiction writer and this was a real page-turner. I gave it five stars because I enjoyed reading it so much." Read more

"...Bottom line: The book is an example of very fine writing and detailed reporting of the bitcoin subculture...." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters fascinating. They appreciate that all the important actors are included and illustrated to highlight the different camps of bitcoin.

"...But all of the events are real and the characters are actual living human beings, sometimes with sad endings...." Read more

"...The author did a great job in story telling. Multiple lines of important actor are illustrated to demonstrate the different camps of bitcoin..." Read more

"...Still wouldn't invest in it, but a great story and crazy cast of characters...." Read more

"...The author gives such vivid descriptions of the characters and brings the stories to life, also giving such a great timeline of event...." Read more

9 customers mention "Start date"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good starting point for anyone interested in Bitcoin. It provides a historical narrative and is engaging from the first chapter.

"I thought it was going to be a dry read but I was hooked from the first chapter...." Read more

"This is a great starting off point for anyone interested in Bitcoin. Very quick read!..." Read more

"...Great place to start, though." Read more

"I think it's a good source for beginers on the subject. Not much technical info but a good introduction to the cryptocirrency world" Read more

7 customers mention "Technology"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the technology in the book exciting and a real breakthrough in computer science. They say it opens their minds to the future and is the most exciting and intriguing innovation since.

"...future, but the blockchain technology appears to be a real breakthrough in computer science...." Read more

"...Recommend for everyone wanting to learn about this exciting technology." Read more

"...The ideas that motivated them to create and nourish the new technology...." Read more

"Bitcoin and the Blockchain that makes it possible is the most exciting and intriguing innovation since the creation of the Internet...." Read more

14 customers mention "Engrossedness"9 positive5 negative

Customers have different views on the book's engrossment. Some find it engaging, riveting, and fascinating to read about gifted individuals with passion. Others find it boring or lacking in life experience.

"...Brilliant minds with drive, excitement and passion to fuel their pursuits...." Read more

"I loved this book at the beginning (very exciting!), got bored in the middle, and was unhappy with the abrupt ending...." Read more

"...Truly engulfing and fascinating to read about these amazingly gifted young men who just created this virtual currency, that at one point was just..." Read more

"Really fascinating story told by author in riveting and compelling prose. Made some hard to understand technology..." Read more

Following Wences' journey is my favorite part of the book.
4 out of 5 stars
Following Wences' journey is my favorite part of the book.
Since I began my journey into reading on a daily basis my comprehension and vision of the content of the book has become more easy to understand, but with the technical content as the such in this book left me wondering what each term was/ment.Blockchain? Hashrate? Decentralization?As an absolute beginner of the crypto space I will say that the journey and the characters of the book really caught my attention and the struggles they went through, and the silent genius that seemed to spawn from each individual. Brilliant minds with drive, excitement and passion to fuel their pursuits. It is all fascinating how everything came to be and the rollercoaster ride feels like something straight from a movie, and it could be!For those looking to dive into how Bitcoin started and the legacy of events and real individuals that supported it (or cast FUD from it), be prepared to listen to a narrative of an incredibly well structured community of people who laid down the foundation for where we are today. Now surely this is only one instance of what has taken place but I Believe it's a good starting place.Also, the technical appendix in the back is quite handy! Check it out!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2016
    I have read articles over the past few years about Bitcoin, specifically during times of crises such as the spect ulnar failure of the Mt. Gox exchange and shutting down of the illicit Silk Road website that drove much of the early demand for Bitcoins. However, I readily admit that I didn't really understand the technology behind Bitcoin and how it worked (or didn't). As someone interested in economics, finance, and technology, I purchased this book as one of the finalists for the Financial Times Book of the Year for 2015. It didn't disappoint!

    Popper does an outstanding job of telling the story of Bitcoin's mysterious origins and the highs and lows of its development over the past several years. He excels at surfacing some of the inherent contradictions embedded within the technology, including the initial evangelical libertarians that were the biggest proponents of Bitcoin, only to see both Wall Street and particularly Silicon Valley to swoop in and sink significant investments in Bitcoin startups, adding legitimacy and bringing Bitcoin to main stream acceptance. Popper also points out the biggest failure points have been when control of Bitcoin has been centralized in exchanges, when the true ingenuousness of the blockchain technology underlying Bitcoin is that it removes the need for a central authority to back it as a currency and store of value.

    I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a primer on how Bitcoin works and how it has developed over the past decade. You will be much more knowledgable and informed about Bitcoin after reading Popper's book, which is quite accessible and almost reads like a novel at times.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2018
    The book is an easy read with an immense amount of interesting history of where Bitcoin has come from. The story effectively ends in 2014 though, so you are left with three years of additional changes that need to be researched independently.

    The book is well written, and fun to read. The story comes across in an interesting way, not too technical, but because of that one is still left with many questions about Bitcoin. All in all though, probably an excellent choice as an introduction to Bitcoin.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2016
    Other books would probably provide a better technical introduction to Bitcoin, but Digital Gold was an enjoyable narrative of the story and characters behind the development of this new currency. Popper's background as a reporter for the New York Times allowed him to gather some spectacular material that no one else could; It is doubtful anyone could have put together such an accurate and comprehensive overview that captures the personalities of the key players so well. You can tell Popper really made an effort to get to know them as people. For example, the way he describes Mark Karpeles, a programmer who managed a notorious exchange website Mt. Gox, seemed sort of like the computer nerd character in the original Jurassic Park movie: a sort of slovenly guy who recklessly causes a catastrophic meltdown. Super-competent Roger Ver seems like a real-life Bruce Wayne; Charlie Shrem comes across more like an overgrown kid.

    Popper includes lots of entertaining details: like how businessman Wences Casares paid $250k to Eastern European hackers to find flaws in the bitcoin technology, but found that it checked out as sound; how entrepreneur Charlie Shrem's parents only agreed to post a $1 million bond to bail him out of jail if he broke up with a girlfriend they did not approve of first; or how FBI agents staged the death of notorious criminal Ross Ulbricht's assassination targets. Popper also presents a pretty convincing case that I was not familiar with for the identity of the person he thinks is Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of Bitcoin

    It remains to be seen whether Bitcoin itself will last long in the future, but the blockchain technology appears to be a real breakthrough in computer science. Nathaniel Popper is a talented non-fiction writer and this was a real page-turner. I gave it five stars because I enjoyed reading it so much.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2015
    This book is standing out among other bitcoin books recently published in one important difference: This one is the result of genuine journalism. The writer is not here for attracting the techie crowd who are interested in the fortunes of mining bitcoins every 10 minutes or so. But he does a very good job of digging all the key people (arguably even the main character. Mr Satoshi himself) and putting events in a time-line starting from day one, from early 2009.

    Before this book, I read three other bitcoin/blockchain books, watched the documentary (The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin) and read lots of web site articles and blogs. I heard lots of things about the main characters, Satoshi, Gavin, Hal, Ross, Erik, Wences, Winkelvii, Charlie etc. but after Popper's book, all of them are now linked in an organized story line and they came alive in my mind. In a way this book reads like fiction, almost like the script of an HBO mini series. But all of the events are real and the characters are actual living human beings, sometimes with sad endings.

    I wonder if the FBI had ever used description of some events in this book as evidence? Or just the opposite, did Popper use legal documents or police reports. How on the earth did he find out all the details of the life of the founder of Silk Road? (Like the thoughts of his former girl firends) Or details about the "super secret" meeting of Allen & Co? Wow! I am shocked, this is journalism at its best, applied to a favourite but difficult to understand contemporary subject.

    Bottom line: The book is an example of very fine writing and detailed reporting of the bitcoin subculture. Not a book to learn how to mine bitcoins or where to buy them.
    83 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • EverydayProductsPro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Covers background
    Reviewed in Canada on September 18, 2021
    It's good book if you are interested in knowing background of bitcoin and people who were involved in making bitcoin push forward on mainstream.
  • Ela
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on October 5, 2023
    I bought this for my husband and he liked it.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gold dust
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2023
    The book delivered to me had been printed back to front. Up for any challenge I adapted and dove in.
    What a engaging story with larger than life characters and no end of twists in the narrative. Its about as interesting as history gets. This should be taught in school rather than the battle of Hastings. A little more relative. The definitive intro into crypto. Wonderful read.
    Took a few pages to adjust back to reading a book the traditional way.
  • fdecollibus
    5.0 out of 5 stars Finally...
    Reviewed in Italy on July 18, 2020
    Finally everything that matters, altogether in one book. It provides a thorough overview on the first steps of blockchain and crypto
  • Rodrigo G Ruiz Quijada
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente para iniciarse en las criptomonedas
    Reviewed in Mexico on August 30, 2018
    Cuenta la historia de Bitcoin y como se fue gestionando. Esta muy bueno si son novatos en criptomonedas y quieren irse empapando en el tema.

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