The Secret History of Gold: Myth, Money, Politics and Power

by Dominic Frisby

‘Essential reading’ Rory Sutherland, author of Alchemy

‘Possibly the best-timed book ever’ Merryn Somerset Webb, Bloomberg

Gold (noun): A precious, yellow metal, prized for its beauty. Inert, immune to corrosion, highly malleable though with little utility. Seen as pure wealth.

The definitive biography of the metal that has shaped our world – and may yet determine its fate.

The Secret History of Gold tells the epic tale of the world’s oldest, and most treasured, currency. From its origins in the formation of the solar system to its pivotal role in both ancient myth and modern finance, Dominic Frisby explores, with wit and brevity, how gold has defined the entire course of human civilisation.

Gold has inspired men to do the most brilliant – and terrible – things. The most stolen metal in history, it has lured explorers, conquerors and thieves. It has sparked wars, it has built empires, it has empowered leaders – from Alexander the Great to Adolf Hitler – good and bad. As nations today such as China and Russia mine and hoard gold at record rates, Frisby examines its enduring significance in the digital age and its potential to influence global peace and power.

This is the untold story of its past, its present and its future.

‘A fabulous, fascinating, fantastical tale’ Matt Ridley, author of How Innovation Works

‘Well-researched and razor-sharp’ Al Murray, comedian and historian

Genres: Economics, History, Politics, Audiobook

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2025

About the author

Dominic Frisby is a comedian from London.

But his first book, Life After The State, has nothing to do with comedy. It is a deadly serious dismantling of the way societies are run in the west, outlining the damage governments unknowingly do to their people, with simple suggestions about how things can be vastly improved.

Dominic writes an investment column for MoneyWeek and has written and produced numerous short films and videos, including the viral hit 'Debt Bomb'. His script-writing ranges from episodes of the kids' show 'Roary the Racing Car' to the feature documentary 'The Four Horsemen', about the global financial crisis. He is a frequent speaker on gold and money on television, radio and at conferences.

Frisby is also a comedian and actor, described as 'viciously funny and inventive' by the Guardian; 'masterful' by the Evening Standard; and 'great comedy talent' by Chortle.co.uk.

Day-to-day he is found trotting about the sound studios of London, voicing everything from BBC nature documentaries to zombies in Hollywood blockbusters.

He has also worked as a TV presenter, a boxing-ring announcer, a florist, a removal man, an extremely camp theatrical agent's PA, a sports commentator and a busker.

Reviews

[Rob Sedgwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is mainly about gold's important role throughout recorded history, and there are numerous examples of its importance and role throughout the ages. Gold always retains its value, whereas the things we think of as "money" generally don't. Most people own very little gold, small pieces of jewellery being the most common. The one great problem with gold is its weight, which makes it hard to hide and easy to steal. Fortunately, there are services which enable you to buy gold today, although most of them involve trusting a third party, like ETFs, which I use for my gold.

The final part of the book, and which it all builds up to, is today. As the book shows again and again, civilisations end when the money runs out. Gold used to be the backbone of the financial system, and ended in the 1970s, since when most asset classes have shot up in value (as fiat money could, was and still is created from nowhere). The author is on the right of politics, but that doesn't change the story; you might not agree with his vision of the future, though.

Countries, especially those outside the West, have started to dedollarise. If the dollar is someday to be supplanted as the reserve currency, the replacement will likely involve gold in some form, rather than a single nation's fiat currency. So I will hang on to my gold; if you haven't got any and you read this book, then you probably soon will.

[Gijs Limonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars; 4 for substance, an additional 0,5 star for relevance and timeliness;

[Rory McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s an easy to read short book on the history of gold and fiat money .

[Moribund Murdoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

It appeals to my autism; I need all the gold facts and storytimes.

[Satchin Semage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptionally well researched book.

[Stuart Trow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little heavy on the historical context, which was, to be fair, still pretty interesting. But the insight to gold as an incorruptible gauge of value by which to judge fiat money was well taken, particularly in terms of highlighting the systematic debasement of paper money. And if you debase the currency, it is not asset owners who suffer, but workers who are being paid in debased currency.