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Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Nathaniel Popper (Author), Robert Fass (Narrator), HarperAudio (Publisher)
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,996 ratings
Editors' pick Best Nonfiction

A 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 a British anarchist, 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.

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  1. Listening Length
    10 hours and 49 minutes
  2. Author
    Nathaniel Popper
  3. Narrator
    Robert Fass
  4. Audible release date
    May 19, 2015
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    HarperAudio
  7. ASIN
    B00UVY508W
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 10 hours and 49 minutes
Author Nathaniel Popper
Narrator Robert Fass
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date May 19, 2015
Publisher HarperAudio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00UVY508W
Best Sellers Rank #56,536 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#31 in Money & Monetary Policy (Books)
#45 in 21st Century History
#61 in E-Commerce (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,996 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written, describing it as a novel-like narrative that provides an almost first-hand account of Bitcoin's history. They appreciate the detailed reporting of the Bitcoin subculture, the fascinating characters, and consider it a great starting point for understanding the technology. While some customers find it riveting, others find it boring.

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133 customers mention "Readability"133 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written, with one customer noting that it makes readers want more after every chapter.

"...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

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

"This was a very interesting read as well as a good non-fiction narrative that held my attention throughout...." Read more

83 customers mention "History of bitcoin"81 positive2 negative

Customers praise this book for its comprehensive coverage of Bitcoin's history and detailed reporting of its subculture, making it a must-read for those interested in the subject.

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

"...knowledge on bitcoin, but I would agree that this is the perfect introduction for anyone who would like to understand bitcoin from a more causal..." Read more

"...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

"...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

72 customers mention "Narrative quality"63 positive9 negative

Customers appreciate the narrative of the book, which provides great details and an immense amount of interesting history.

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

"...The author did a great job in story telling...." Read more

"...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

"...behind Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies well, and I felt I got a good understanding without having to delve deep into math and programming...." Read more

52 customers mention "Writing quality"46 positive6 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with one customer noting it reads almost like a novel.

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

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

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

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book fascinating.

"...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 serves as a great starting point, with one mentioning it's particularly good for beginners on the subject.

"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 book's technology exciting, with one customer noting it's a real breakthrough in computer science, while another mentions it opens their mind to the future.

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

"...future, but the blockchain technology appears to be a real breakthrough in computer science...." 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 mixed reactions to the book's engrossment, with some finding it riveting while others describe it as boring.

"...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

Brilliantly Engrossing
5 out of 5 stars
Brilliantly Engrossing
Engagingly written with detailed biographical information on important figures that have impacted Bitcoin over the past decade. Tells the story of the libertarian idealogues that created Bitcoin and then how it has developed wider acceptance but has simultaneously lost some of its allure to the libertarian movement as the financial system and the government have begun to force it to adapt to their precepts.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Cemil Sinasi Turun
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent journalism about bitcoin subculture
    Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    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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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great storytelling about crypto world
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I have been investing in cryoto currency for a while and people in the scene will know there are vocal actors in Twitter or Reddit voicing out their opinions on the coin's development. I had a hard time mapping out their relationship to the bitcoin universe but this book clear the fog for me.

    The author did a great job in story telling. Multiple lines of important actor are illustrated to demonstrate the different camps of bitcoin advocates. The development of bitcoin is more of a war of character rather than cold technological advances.

    I would appreciate if the book can include more technical knowledge on bitcoin, but I would agree that this is the perfect introduction for anyone who would like to understand bitcoin from a more causal perspective.

    Recommend for everyone wanting to learn about this exciting technology.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Rob Galbraith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent history and intriguing origins of Bitcoin
    Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    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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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
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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  • Arun
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand
    Reviewed in India on June 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Its very nice book , i read many other crypto book but this book made me understood all about bitcoin in very easy way.
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  • Ela
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on October 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this for my husband and he liked it.
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  • 堂垣外弘忠
    5.0 out of 5 stars 非専門家が、ビットコインとブロックチェーンの歴史と今後の動向を一望できる珠玉の一冊！
    Reviewed in Japan on July 17, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    　英文は、単語自体は非常に簡単であるものの、口語固有の表現が多彩で、電子辞書の用例検索を多用したが、正確に読むのには結構骨が折れるようです。
    　非専門家が、ビットコインとブロックチェーンの歴史と今後の動向を一望できる珠玉の一冊である。内容的には、偶発的な理由から、日本も主要な舞台になっており、大変面白い。
    　最も期待されたビットコインその事態の国際決済への広範囲の応用については、以下の理由から困難と予測されているようである：（１）国家的なサイバー犯罪が横行する中、匿名性の高い点がかえって障害となる。（２）固有の理由から決済レートが遅すぎて、カードにとって代われない。（３）貨幣の製造が中国に偏在しており、国際的富の分配上問題がある。
    　しかし、今後、日本でも予定されている銀行の発行する仮想通貨（ビットコインのようなもの）は、当面は円とリンクされているが、適当な時期にフローティングにされる予定であり、円が崩壊した際に、日本の通貨制度を補完するもの、すなわち、代替通貨として活用されるかもしれないですね。一般に、国の通貨が崩壊した際には、ドル等の外貨に対する管理は非常に厳しくなるので、代替通貨がないと、物々交換となってしまい、社会が極限の混乱状態に陥りますからね。
    　なお、一方のブロックチェーンの方は、各種の取引に利用するものとして、主要銀行、証券会社等で積極的に検討されているようですね。
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  • Rodrigo G Ruiz Quijada
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente para iniciarse en las criptomonedas
    Reviewed in Mexico on August 30, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    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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