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.

Listen to a sample

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

Matt Ridley, author of The Evolution of Everything

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

Roger Bootle, author of The AI Economy

A real page-turner! Dominic Frisby’s historical interpretation and utopian ideas will outrage Left and Right. Both should read this book!

Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe, member of the House of Commons Treasury Committee

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!

Mark Littlewood, Director General, Institute of Economic Affairs

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

Rt Hon Liz Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade

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

Jon Matonis Monetary Economist

An utterly gripping account of the impact of taxes on the course of civilisation

Simon Evans, Comedian

A fantastic education on the surprising ways tax policies have shaped mankind’s past and will impact our future

Roger Ver, Chairman, Bitcoin.com

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

Douglas Carswell, MP for Clacton, Co-founder Vote Leave

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

Merryn Somerset Webb, Editor in chief of Moneyweek

A great read

George Galloway, former Member of Parliament, broadcaster and bestselling author of I'm Not the Only One

Both amusing and informative, you’ll come away with a much deeper understanding of what taxation is all about

Bill Bonner, bestselling author of Empire of Debt

Whether you think your taxes are fair or unfair, too high or too low, you need to read this book

Greg Moffitt, editor of New Thought

Highly readable

Luke Johnson, British entrepreneur and Sunday Times columnist

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

James Roberts, Political Director at the TaxPayers' Alliance

A book about tax, that is readable, fascinating – and fun! Sounds impossible, I know. But that’s what Dominic Frisby has written

Liam Halligan, the Telegraph

This entertaining, easily read book will make you laugh and arm you for debates

Heather McGregor, Mrs Moneypenny, The Sunday Times

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

Helen Dale, author of The Hand that Signed the Paper

Whatever your political leanings, you will find much to enjoy in this entertaining and educational romp through the history of taxation

Moneyweek

Please let’s let Dominic Frisby loose on the Treasury!

Jamie Blackett, The Critic

a fascinating book…educational and fun. You will enjoy it!

Mish Talk, The Street

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

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