Daylight Robbery: How Tax Shaped Our Past and Will Change Our Future

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.

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!

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.

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.

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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!

Very eye opening

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.

At first glance, a book about tax may not appear to be the most appealing of subjects. However, I strongly advise that you go against that initial instinct and take a chance on "Daylight Robbery" by Dominic Frisby.Just dive straight in, you will be glad that you did!The first portion of this book takes us on an incredible journey throughout history, from the unique perspective of taxation. You will be amazed, amused and aghast in equal measure at the incredible impact and influence taxes have had towards shaping our lives, culture, society and virtually every major historical event. Even your own name has its origins in taxation.The latter half of the book takes a look at how technology advancements pose a very striking threat to taxation as we know it, as well as the author's fascinating and highly informed insights about how the future of taxation may evolve, and what it would really take to make Utopia work.As a big fan of Dominic Frisby's previous work ("Life After The State" is one of my favourite books), expectations were high for this offering. Those expectations have been surpassed, and "Daylight Robbery" is one of the better books that I have read over the last few years.Far more enjoyable than you may initially think, the author's writing style is clear in it's simplicity, and is laced with wit and humour. Give this a go.

Mr. Frisby's book is easy to read and light on jargon. I've read fairly widely on financial history and this is a book that I've been waiting for without knowing it. Few writers I've come across combine an ability to tell a good historical tale with a down to earth economic understanding of the forces at play. The tax stories of the French Revolution and the American Civil War were especially rewarding. What impressed me most about this book was the way the author was able to be highly critical of Western governments without demonising them. Illuminating the historical paths that have led to their current hapless condition enables an even-handed and compassionate treatment. I'm not sure about the author's libertarian ideology, but his outline of the ongoing battle between the tech giants and government over taxation is well worth the read. Recommended.

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.

Great book, and I think he makes mostly logical conclusions, but page 199, his idea about replacing nationalised healthcare with Friendly Societies is nonsense. He needs to read more about that subject to understand why that won't work and will result in largescale societal issues in a heavily developed nation, such as the first industrial nation like the UK. If anything, we need to reverse privatisation and the cronyism behind it seen in 2020. When having the Whatsapp number of the Tory Chancellor gets a Tory party donor a contract to manufacture medical supplies they never deliver, we have a problem only solved by armed and violent revolution and nationalisation, not democracy, privatisation, or friendly societies. Alternatively we return to Victorian Britain which is where I think this writer thinks we are headed. That will be bad for the future.Elitism is doomed not due to tax, but due to limits to growth, the lifeblood of all economics even crypto currency. (Rsources, particularly EROIE and Net Energy will determine the entire fate of modern civilisation.) I need to write a book!

History is normally written through the lens of war or leaders. Dominic tells that story through tax. Our leaders have been grabbing what they can since the beginning of time. Taxes change behaviour and without them, wars would be unaffordable. Taxes are seen to be a moral cause. But are they? Dominic has written a thoroughly enjoyable and well-researched book. Buy it for a socialist friend. You never know, you might even turn them.