SKU: 56583983592

The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking

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The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central BankingA comprehensive and authoritative exploration of Bitcoin and its place in monetary history When a pseudonymous programmer introduced "a new electronic cash system that's fully peer to peer, with no trusted third party" to a small online mailing list in 2008, very few people paid attention. Ten years later, and against all odds, this upstart autonomous decentralized software offers an unstoppable and globally accessible hard money alternative to modern

A comprehensive and authoritative exploration of Bitcoin and its place in monetary history

When a pseudonymous programmer introduced "a new electronic cash system that's fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party" to a small online mailing list in 2008, very few people paid attention. Ten years later, and against all odds, this upstart autonomous decentralized software offers an unstoppable and globally accessible hard money alternative to modern central banks. The Bitcoin Standard analyzes the historical context to the rise of Bitcoin, the economic properties that have allowed it to grow quickly, and its likely economic, political, and social implications.

While Bitcoin is an invention of the digital age, the problem it purports to solve is as old as human society itself: transferring value across time and space. Author Saifedean Ammous takes the reader on an engaging journey through the history of technologies performing the functions of money, from primitive systems of trading limestones and seashells, to metals, coins, the gold standard, and modern government debt. Exploring what gave these technologies their monetary role, and how most lost it, provides the reader with a good idea of what makes for sound money, and sets the stage for an economic discussion of its consequences for individual and societal future-orientation, capital accumulation, trade, peace, culture, and art. Compellingly, Ammous shows that it is no coincidence that the loftiest achievements of humanity have come in societies enjoying the benefits of sound monetary regimes, nor is it coincidental that monetary collapse has usually accompanied civilizational collapse.

With this background in place, the book moves on to explain the operation of Bitcoin in a functional and intuitive way. Bitcoin is a decentralized, distributed piece of software that converts electricity and processing power into indisputably accurate records, thus allowing its users to utilize the Internet to perform the traditional functions of money without having to rely on, or trust, any authorities or infrastructure in the physical world. Bitcoin is thus best understood as the first successfully implemented form of digital cash and digital hard money. With an automated and perfectly predictable monetary policy, and the ability to perform final settlement of large sums across the world in a matter of minutes, Bitcoin's real competitive edge might just be as a store of value and network for the final settlement of large payments a digital form of gold with a built-in settlement infrastructure.

Ammous' firm grasp of the technological possibilities as well as the historical realities of monetary evolution provides for a fascinating exploration of the ramifications of voluntary free market money. As it challenges the most sacred of government monopolies, Bitcoin shifts the pendulum of sovereignty away from governments in favor of individuals, offering us the tantalizing possibility of a world where money is fully extricated from politics and unrestrained by borders.

The final chapter of the book explores some of the most common questions surrounding Bitcoin: Is Bitcoin mining a waste of energy? Is Bitcoin for criminals? Who controls Bitcoin, and can they change it if they please? How can Bitcoin be killed? And what to make of all the thousands of Bitcoin knockoffs, and the many supposed applications of Bitcoin's 'block chain technology'? The Bitcoin Standard is the essential resource for a clear understanding of the rise of the Internet's decentralized, apolitical, free-market alternative to national central banks.

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SKU: 56583983592

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Anthony Motley
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Easy to install
Size: 16.5 Inch, Color: White
I bought these for my step daughter for her birthday. I installed them on about 45 minutes. Theyre small and decorative. They're nice to store light weight knick knacks on.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2026
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Brianna McMichael
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Simple, sturdy, and looks great in the room
Size: 16.5 Inch, Color: Rustic Brown
I bought this farmhouse shelf for our bedroom because I needed extra storage that would not make the space feel cramped. After using it for a few weeks, I can say it fits the room really well and does exactly what I hoped it would. The rustic brown color is warm without looking orange or overly dark. It has that farmhouse style but still feels clean and modern. It blends nicely with neutral furniture and does not look cheap or overly distressed. Assembly took me about thirty minutes. The instructions were easy to follow and all the hardware was included. Once everything was tightened, the shelf felt stable and did not wobble. I made sure to assemble it on a flat surface and tighten the screws evenly, which helped keep it level. Right now I am using it for books, a small plant, framed photos, and a storage basket. It handles normal household items without any sagging. I would not overload it with very heavy textbooks on every shelf, but for everyday use in a bedroom or living room, it feels solid. One thing I really like is the size. It gives you good vertical storage without taking up too much floor space. It works especially well in smaller rooms or apartments where you want storage but do not want bulky furniture. If using it in a bathroom, I would just be mindful of humidity over time since the shelves appear to be engineered wood with a laminate finish. For towels and lightweight storage bins, it should work well. Overall, this is a practical and good looking shelf. It is not high end furniture, but it does not feel flimsy either. For the price, I would buy it again.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2026
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OrangeSlice3
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Great for the price you pay
Size: 16.5 Inch, Color: Rustic Brown, Size: 16.5 Inch, Color: Rustic Brown
Great shelves for the price you pay. They look good and seem to have good stability so far; we’ll see if anything falls on heads. I put a 6 pack of each up in my son’s rooms and they have all kinds of stuff from katanas to books to knick knacks on them. The shelves aren’t finished so they can leave slivers and might be harder to clean with just a cloth. They came with 6 pieces of wood, not pre-drilled or with any marks for holes, a pack of pretty tough brackets, and all mounting hardware. We used a level, hammer, stud finder, tape measure, the provided wall anchors, long and short screws, pencil, 13/64 drill bit, Phillips head bit, and drill. These helped save space and get rid of some of their clutter.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2026
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Kailyn
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 3
Not the best.
Size: 16.5 Inch, Color: Rustic Brown, Size: 16.5 Inch, Color: Rustic Brown
The wood style is burned wood without any sealant. I would have given a better rating but some of the shelving was bowed which makes it not look as appealing. Pretty easy to install. Definitely will need your impact. I can’t imagine trying to do that with a hand held screwdriver. With the wood being bent the quality isn’t what I would want it to be. It can hold a decent amount of weight. But certainly not made for books. Even with wall anchors. It gives you the option to hang it as shown in its picture or the other way where the supports are flipped.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2026
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Tarra
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
great shelves
Color: C. White - Modern Minimalist Style, Number Of Shelves: 3, Size: 36inches
These are a a great set of floating shelves! They were easy to install, feel sturdy, and look clean and modern on the wall. The set of three is perfect for displaying decor, photos, plants or small storage items while adding extra space without taking up room. Great quality, stylish, and a simple way to upgrade any space. They work perfect for my figurines to be displayed.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2026

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