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Dominic Frisby
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Daylight Robbery: How Tax Shaped Our Past and Will Change Our Future Paperback – March 15, 2020

by Dominic Frisby (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 331 ratings
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The first book to offer an accessible, engaging and entertaining explanation of the principles of taxation around the world

For most people, tax is something we pay, simply because we must. We seldom think much more about it, in fact, tax is something we'd rather forget. But the reality is that tax is the key to power. No government can survive without tax revenue—it is the fuel that every state, large and small, runs on. Many of the problems we face today, not least the enormous wealth gaps between rich and poor and between generations, can be traced back to our systems of tax. If you tax windows, many will sacrifice their daylight. If you tax cigarettes, some people will choose not to smoke, others will take up smuggling. Tax companies too much and many will relocate off-shore. In Daylight Robbery, Dominic Frisby will offer an alternative vision of a system that is as old as civilization itself. It will take you on a whirlwind journey through the history of taxation, from the Ancient Mesopotamia right up to the present day, explaining the key dynamics of taxation around the world and arguing that governments are going to have to radically change who they tax and how if they are to succeed in the future.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Portfolio Penguin
  4. Publication date
    March 15, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0241360838
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0241360835
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"With dazzling clarity, Frisby illuminates just how much of history is explained by arguments over tax, from Magna Carta to the American civil war to today's political debates. This entertaining, surprising, contrarian book is a tour de force." —Matt Ridley, author, The Evolution of Everything

About the Author

Dominic Frisby is a financial writer from London. His books include Life After the State and Bitcoin - the Future of Money? His films include the internet sensation, Four Horsemen. He is a contributing writer for Moneyweek and also writes for the Guardian, Aeon and the Independent. He speaks at conferences around the world on bitcoin, gold, tax, trading and the future of finance.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Portfolio Penguin (March 15, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0241360838
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0241360835
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 331 ratings

About the author

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Dominic Frisby

Dominic Frisby

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Dominic Frisby (“mercurially witty” – the Spectator) has an odd double life as financial writer and comedian. He is MoneyWeek’s main commentator on gold, commodities, currencies and cryptocurrencies.

His books are Daylight Robbery: How Tax Shaped Our Past and Will Change Our Future; Bitcoin: the Future of Money? and Life After The State. In addition there is the audiobook The Shadowpunk Revolution.

He also co-wrote the internet sensation documentary Four Horsemen.

As a comedian, he is known for his many unacceptable songs.

Dominic was educated at St Paul's School, Manchester University and the Webber-Douglas Academy Of Dramatic Art.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
331 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Scott F. Paradis
5.0 out of 5 stars Not a taxing read
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2022
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Terrific overview of a taxing subject. Strikes the delicate balance of presenting the historical facts in a way that doesn't get weighed down in technical minutia. An easy, enjoyable, informative read on a subject that absolutely affects us all.
First two-thirds is history. Then the realities of contemporary social evolution. Then a "utopian" solution - if only the people could come to recognize the truth, before it's to late.
Death and taxes, the two absolutes. We can definitely do better with one of these.
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Oliver Steinberg
5.0 out of 5 stars FASCINATING READ
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2021
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This book was beautifully written. The author is incredibly passionate and informed on the subject. The books last chapter seemed to end slightly abruptly to me. Maybe that's just because I enjoyed it so much. Regardless, I highly recommend this book.
2 people found this helpful
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Simon McDonald
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020
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A fantastic book! Really interesting and very thought-provoking. Dominic highlights the central driver of history (tax) and shows how it has been the cause of many revolutions and other major historical events. He does this in a way that is as politically neutral way as possible (IMO) and has an excellent chapter in a new Utopia which i loved.
I highly recommend this book and will be talking about this book for a long time!
2 people found this helpful
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Mark
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2021
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The book is very informative. The tax history it reveals is very interesting. In the last chapter, it does a good job of proposing an alternative to the current tax structure.
One person found this helpful
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Jason Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative read and surprisingly entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2021
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Who knew the history of taxation could be so interesting? This is a great book if you want to learn about one of the most fundamental aspects of civilization- taxes. Fantastic book!
One person found this helpful
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JTM
5.0 out of 5 stars Serious real facts
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2021
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In spite of the cover a solid book yet easy reading!
One person found this helpful
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Loren Pierre
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting and though provoking book
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2019
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The delves into the history of taxation by various government and it's role in the development of many customs and traditions of today, dating back from ancient Mesopotamia all the way to present. He also delves into some theories regarding a more equitable taxation system at the end of the book. I find it an interesting read and definitely something anyone interested in free markets or political history should read.
One person found this helpful
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Craig Hanson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read that is thought provoking
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2019
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This is an easy read filled with interesting facts that are well documented and with thought provoking ideas. Highly recommend
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Aganeta Friederichsen
5.0 out of 5 stars Was a gift for my husband
Reviewed in Canada on March 11, 2021
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He hasn't put the book down easily, very well liked.
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Fernamont
5.0 out of 5 stars Very god book
Reviewed in Spain on June 30, 2021
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Very interesting book. After reading it I like to follow the author in Youtube, although the book much deeper than his videos.
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Goutam Mukherjee
5.0 out of 5 stars Evolution of tax system through out the world.
Reviewed in India on April 24, 2021
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General Information. Had good recommendation from different sources. Easily got hold of the book, thanks to Amazon.
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ROB
5.0 out of 5 stars Super
Reviewed in France on February 21, 2021
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Tres Top!
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Author - The Good, Bad, Greedy Acoountants
5.0 out of 5 stars Good start
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2020
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I bought this book not knowing anything about the author as it is a subject that interests me and a subject I know a lot, probably too much, about. The first part was an easy and amusing read through the history of tax - much better than those historians that invent technicalities to complicate the past. I kept it by the toilet and read a bit at a time. Then got to the last few chapters and thought Wow! this guy has something good to say, is creative and mostly right. I took it away and finished it. Then looked up Mr Frisby on youtube. Great interviewer - does not interupt unlike BBCs etc. Caswell was brilliant. Why cant he be in charge of Newsnight instead of a pair of legs. A land reform tax would be great from a start up but will never get through over here so I have to regard it as a UK fantasy. But there is within 100 miles of London a society build on just that Land Tax with no VAT , no other taxes and needs no accountants to do tax returns. Its called Sark. What could work here though is small reforms to VAT (that does not have to be regressive), planning, income tax and NI. You cannot effect major change in our system. I have set out such reforms in publications that were read by Mum and have had some articles published in stuff nobody reads. Although the ideas are fairly simple they just go over peoples heads who are caught up in their own, these days, complicated worlds full of competing information. Mr Frisby makes a good point that unless you do something stupid you dont stand out. I am still trying. But five stars for Mr F.
11 people found this helpful
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