The Ascent of Money is a new series beginning on ABC-TV at 8.30pm, Thursday, May 28. Harvard professor Niall Ferguson (he’s English) takes us on a journey through time to the origins of money, and shows us how humans, obsessed with the concept, have never learned from past mistakes.

The latest crash is just one in a cycle that seemingly will be repeated again and again. We are, it seems, too clever by half when it comes to money.

Youngish Niall is perhaps a trifle too animated as he gets involved in his favourite subject. And maybe the series tries a tad too hard to impress us with flashy images from around the world (this, let’s face it, could be a very dull subject).

But at its heart, The Ascent of Money is a valuable lesson for us all. Money, or the lack of it, has ruined many a life.

And, it seems, the money men (and they are, for the most part, men – still) are the most powerful people on the planet. Niall informs us the bond market has influenced the outcome of major wars – from Waterloo to the US Civil War. It has also ruined nations.

Fascinating, almost hypnotic, this series is a must for anyone interested in money. And isn’t that all of us?

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