A new 302-page book by David Sinclair, published by Random House UK, covers the long history of the British pound. The book is titled "Pound - a Biography: The Story of the Currency That Ruled the World and Lasted a 1000 Years"

A review by Paul Podolsky in the January 15th Wall Street Journal noted "the first portion of the book is limited to examining 500 years of the quarter-penny farthing, the groat, the noble and other such monetary experiments concurrent with the reign of King Eric Blood-Axe."

From the Publisher:

"Packed with detail and colour, this fascinating book charts the Pound's development from its origins in the Dark Ages to its role today in cyberspace when, single European currency or not, it may be coming to the end of its life. The Pound is also the revealing story of Britain and her people on the world stage. Britain's currency was the first great international exchange currency, laying the foundations for world trade. The Pound illuminates the kings and queens, merchants and bankers, politicians and fraudsters who have all played their parts in the rise and decline of the British Nation."