Accountants will love this history of double entry accounting which re-casts them as Eco-Nomists, saviours of the planet.
But even if your eyes glaze over at the mention of GDP, you will enjoy this. Meet the renaissance monk, friend or possibly lover of Leonardo Da Vinci, who first explained double entry accounting, then follow the rise of capitalism from the merchants of Venice to the bean counters of Victorian London and then downhill. The system debased, the wrong things valued on national debit and credit sheets. Gleeson-White's tone can be evangelical - particularly when she propounds her green economics - but this is an interesting read, telling you things you didn't know and questioning your current world view. What more can you ask of a book?
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