The Case for Gold: A Minority Report of the U.S. Gold CommissionBy Ron Paul, Lewis Lehrman

    * Publisher:   Cato Inst
    * Number Of Pages:   227
    * Publication Date:   1982-09
    * ISBN-10 / ASIN:   0932790313
    * ISBN-13 / EAN:   9780932790316

                                                                                                
http://rapidshare.com/files/200967061/The_Case_for_Gold.pdf        

gave this book to my son as one of his birthday gifts...he loved it! thanks
Summary: One of the best overviews of US monetary history
Rating: 4

This book makes an excellent case for a return to a full gold standard. This is an idea that has been spurned by the economics mainstream, due in no small part to the influence of J.M. Keynes, who famously called gold the 'barbarous relic'. Fiat currencies, with their partner, fractional reserve banking, provide 'elasticity' to the money supply -- a sort of code word which means that they give to the government the ability to destroy the value of the currency at wil, inflating prices and causing a credit bubble which will inevitably pop, causing pain to both rich and poor. This book is intended for the average educated reader, so do not expect a nuanced treatment of economic theory; yet what theory there is here is pretty clearly presented. If you like this book, you should also read Murray Rothbard's "The Case for the 100% Gold Dollar", "What has thegovernment done to our money?"; also Griffin's "The Creature from Jekyll Island", and Bonner and Wiggin's recent work, "Empire of Debt".
Summary: An economic history of the United States
Rating: 5

This book offers a well documented, detailed account of the history of money and banking in the United States. In it, Congressman Paul outlines why fractional-reserve banking, unenforced property rights and money not backed by hard assets cause inflation, and what the consequences of inflation really are. The concepts are fairly easy to grasp. Sadly, in a noble effort to achieve the greatest amount of integrity, and originally intended for an audience of higher caliber, this scholarly work is unlikely to be read by the average layperson. Albeit comprehensible by many, it combines two subjects - history and economics - that normally force all but the most steadfast inquirers of truth to avoid. I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in monetary policy and reform.