Daylight Robbery
- Author Dominic Frisby
- Narrator Dominic Frisby
- Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
- Publish Date 17 October 2019
- Run Time 8 hours and 48 minutes
- Format Audio
- Genre Centrist democratic ideologies, History of ideas, Macroeconomics, Popular beliefs and controversial knowledge, Popular economics, Popular philosophy, Public finance and taxation, Social theory.
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What to expect
'Fuel for the post-Christmas lunch argument' Financial Times
Death and taxes are our inevitable fate. We've been told this since the beginning of civilisation. But what if we stopped to question our antiquated system? Is it fair? And is it capable of serving the needs of our rapidly-changing, modern society?
In Daylight Robbery, Dominic Frisby traces the origins of taxation, from its roots in the ancient world, through to today. He explores the role of tax in the formation of our global religions, the part tax played in wars and revolutions throughout the ages, why, at one stage, we paid tax for daylight or for growing a beard. Ranging from the despotic to the absurd, the tax laws of the past reveal so much about how we got to where we are today and what we can do to build a system fit for the future.
'This entertaining, surprising, contrarian book is a tour de force!' - Matt Ridley, author of The Evolution of Everything
'In this spectacular gallop through history, Frisby shows how taxation has warped, stunted and thwarted human progress' - Mark Littlewood, Director General, Institute of Economic Affairs
'Against all expectations, Dominic's book on tax is a real page-turner. His historical interpretation and utopian ideas will outrage Left and Right. Both should read the book' - Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe and Member of the House of Commons Treasury Committee
'Fascinating book which exposes the political and economic basis of tax. A must read for those of us who believe in simpler, lower taxes' - Rt Hon Liz Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade
'Both amusing and informative, it's a romp' - Bill Bonner, author of Empire of Debt
Critics 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
An engaging and informative trip through tax history that leads on to some radical suggestions for the future. A must-read for anyone thinking about how our tax system should be structured
A real page-turner! Dominic Frisby’s historical interpretation and utopian ideas will outrage Left and Right. Both should read this book!
In this spectacular gallop through history, Frisby shows how taxation has warped, stunted and thwarted human progress. An absolute must-read for anyone who thinks higher taxes are the answer to our ills. Should be compulsory reading for anyone who aspires to high political office!
A fascinating book which exposes the political and economic basis of tax. A must read for those of us who believe in simpler, lower taxes
It has been said that the income tax created more criminals than any other single act of government. Dominic Frisby masterfully delves into the fascinating topic of taxation, vividly bringing it to life
An utterly gripping account of the impact of taxes on the course of civilisation
A fantastic education on the surprising ways tax policies have shaped mankind’s past and will impact our future
A brilliant book full of insights into how governments have fleeced us down the ages. This is a must read for anyone interested in how technology might at last tilt things back in favour of the citizen rather than the state
How when and where we pay tax affects everything – how and where we work, how we save, when we retire, whether we marry or not, whether we live in houses we own or not and sometimes even how many children we have. Few of us think properly about the way this shapes our lives and societies. With this well-written and hugely engaging book Dominic Frisby might be about to change that
A great read
Both amusing and informative, you’ll come away with a much deeper understanding of what taxation is all about
Whether you think your taxes are fair or unfair, too high or too low, you need to read this book
Highly readable
A hugely readable, well-researched book about the history, reality and future of tax, which can draw the occasional chuckle! Also an informative tome, which raises important questions about how and why governments are funded
A book about tax, that is readable, fascinating – and fun! Sounds impossible, I know. But that’s what Dominic Frisby has written
This entertaining, easily read book will make you laugh and arm you for debates
Frisby is a moonlighting phenomenon: a finance journalist by day and Edinburgh Fringe comedic star by night, he brings wit to the world of policy-wonkery in a way that is probably unique
Whatever your political leanings, you will find much to enjoy in this entertaining and educational romp through the history of taxation
Please let’s let Dominic Frisby loose on the Treasury!
a fascinating book…educational and fun. You will enjoy it!
Fascinating book which exposes the political and economic basis of tax. A must read for those of us who believe in simpler, lower taxes.
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