The Web of Debt: The Shocking Truth About Our Money System And How We Can Break Free (Revised and Updated) [Paperback]

Banking is essentially a Ponzi-scheme: banks actually CREATE the (totally worthless because backed by nothing) money supply as loans, while making it appear to be controlled by governments. For over 400 years, these banksters have used this control to enslave nations and ensure perpetual wars and bondage. Keeping all "profits" (interest), they cause the so-called economic 'boom & bust' cycle, recovering their losses (via pathological gambling) from us via taxes - showered over them whenever THEY might otherwise go bust.

The gist of this is in all David Icke's books, in shorter, summary form, and also in books such as "The New Empire of Debt" and the superb "Creature From Jekyll Island". The chapter "Funny Money" in the "Gods of Eden" by William Bramley (first published over three decades ago) provided an elegantly simple - and chilling - explanation of the origins of the money frauds which are currently causing global economic meltdown. "The Grip of Death", whilst written in an old-fashioned manner, also contains excellent points. For those familiar with any of these books, this is a good refresher book and, for those who are new to the truth, it's a great start, providing a brief but horrifying history and a diagnosis of the current failures in our financial institutions.

There are some flaws but these are mere quibbles and, in February 2008, the author wrote (on Amazon.com): "Yes, I caught errors myself, which is why I just spent the last 3 months doing an updated and revised version, available on Amazon now; and am working on another revision with a long postscript, hopefully available in a month. The banking system is collapsing very quickly, warranting frequent updates. Managing 500 pages with footnotes has been very difficult, and it has taken me 6 years already; but I had to go to press just because of the crush of events...Much of my challenge has been to make this subject interesting and accessible to people who normally shy away from reading about economics and finance. If they keep turning the pages, I'm halfway there. Ellen Brown"

Whilst this book concentrates on the US, there is valuable historical information about the UK system and anyway the banksters are perpetrating the same scams over here, and most everywhere. Well researched and thorough, it not only covers the history of the current massive money frauds but ties together various international currency crises with a common thread. The book has an easily readable style and clear explanations of complex processes: for the first time ever, for me at least, derivatives are explained in an understandable manner: basically side bets that something (anything!) will go up or down.

The last 7 chapters show us, in an entertaining manner, that there are ways towards a more prosperous world. Most of the suggestions are political (they have to be voted into use) but a few can be put into place by small groups. The most important one, it seems to me, is not even listed - just don't borrow - ever! (Remember "just say no"?)

A fantastic book on the long-ongoing international financial wickedness; worth reading for the history of the monetary system alone. Ideally, no one should be allowed to graduate from school without reading this, as well as the other books listed above, but we live in a far from ideal world.

[Later note: Going way beyond this kind of book, worthy though it is, are the amazing truths explained in Ronald MacDonald's "They Own It All (Including You)" and Veronica Chapman's introductory book "Freedom". More advanced is Menard's wonderful "With Lawful Excuse" available as an ebook for $16 from the WorldFreemanSociety, but you can first have a free look on youtube at Menard's "Bursting Bubbles of Government Deception" to see if the book is likely to interest you. If possible, "With Lawful Excuse" is even better than his videos but I'm glad I read Chapman's introductory book first. I also recommend that you get the "prequel", a book also called "Bursting Bubbles of Government Deception" and costing about $5.50, also from the WorldFreemanSociety, which provides the basics needed to get to grips with "With Lawful Excuse". Chapman's book is about English law whereas Menard's books refer to Canadian law but, of course, as part of the common wealth, the Canadian system is similar to that in England.

The Antiterrorist's 2 highly intelligent books are also suggested for those looking for ways out. For those wanting more, have a look at the free, online offerings of Max Igan, Frank O'Collins and Dean Clifford.

Also, have a look at Google Videos & You Tube, search for Raymond St Clair, the strawman illusion, accepting for value, etc, etc. The videos of Raymond St Claire going into a local court and very politely distressing all the court officials on a fundamental point of law are priceless. The basis of Raymond St Claire's challenge and the reason for their distress is not clear in the videos but IS explained towards the end of the "Freedom" book - namely that judges swear to uphold common law but they are actually sitting in a civil/statute law court where they have no power over you unless you agree (which we are always fooled into doing, because we don't know any better). Don't miss!

What does this have to do with money, you ask? Everything!]

If you wish to learn more about who really runs this troubled world, then read this book and reflect carefully upon its contents. If you have wondered, as I have, why the whole world - governments, corporations and individuals alike - is increasingly mired in debt, then read this book. If you think naively that banks are basically brokers who mediate between depositors and borrowers, then read this book. It will show you how you are fundamentally mistaken. If you think that you understand what money is and how it comes into being then you are probably wrong again and this book will tell you how and why. Its publication is timely as the debt-ridden world financial system now strains to cope with the US subprime debacle. If you have been lured into borrowing more than you can repay and you are about to lose your house, then read this book to understand more deeply your predicament. If your pension fund or your savings have been disastrously invested in risky and maybe now worthless securitized debt then this book will help you to see where your hard earned money has gone and who has benefited.

Although The Web of Debt is mainly about the US banking system and the US dollar, its message that the money supply is in the hands of a private banking cartel and is not in the hands of elected governments is applicable to many countries. It shows how money is created from nothing and then lent to governments at interest, for no good reason other than the historical usurping of this all important function by powerful and ambitious men for their own private gain. Absurdly, governments must then tax their citizens to pay interest to the private bankers, foregoing the obvious alternative of issuing debt-free money themselves. This fascinating book is highly readable, accessible to the layperson and, as a theme, explains the allegorical meaning of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum (the basis of the film The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland).

During the next very few years it seems likely that we will all be affected severely by the now looming and potentially catastrophic breakdown of our debt-based money system. All is not quite hopeless however, and Ellen Brown shows towards the end of the book how, given the political will, we could change to debt-free money issued and spent into the economy by governments directly for the benefit of their citizens. Of course, the elite few who currently control our global money system are not going to give up their immense power voluntarily or easily. Indeed Ellen Brown indicates that they might well be planning to perpetuate and firmly consolidate that power worldwide in a New World Order.

Considering how deeply entangled we all are by debt-based money, it is both amazing and rather sinister that the subject is never analysed and debated openly in the main stream media. We should ponder and query why this is so. With access to the internet and to books such as The Web of Debt we can however now educate ourselves about the fundamentals of our money system. We need to do so urgently. We need also to educate and lobby our politicians, most of whom seem to be just as uninformed as the rest of us about the workings and consequences of arguably the biggest scam ever perpetrated on humanity. READ THIS BOOK.

I had this book recommended by 2 separate sources; one was via Amazon, via my buying habits, and the other who works for a major bank on credit card risk analysis.
Although the book is base on the American financial system, theirs is almost (but not quite) a replica of what happens here in the UK, and I imagine much of the rest of the world as well.
I must admit I hadn't realised that the Wizard of Oz was a critique on the American financial system at the time. I will definitely watch it all the way through next time.
What struck me was the evidence (albeit circumstantial), of the sheer number of financial reform politicians who have met with a sad demise. One can't help but be struck with the list of numbers, and that it gets ever longer.
The evidence behind the destruction of the financial well being of Germany after World War One was news to me, as well as the financial manipulation behind the collapse of some countries in South America. The creation of the dust bowl in America in the 1920's was not as my school history book reported it to me, but much more sinister forces were at work.
I note some reviewers on the US site have berated the author for being a former nutrionist. I don't have a problem with this, if what she writes is true, does it matter what her previous occupation was?
Others have castigated her for criticising that the money is controlled by a few incredibly rich families, who hide behind the facade of the Fed, the Bank of England... etc... and saying that the money should be in control of the government. Given politicians ability to mess things up, I can understand their concern, but whether the control of the money supply should be handed over to un-elected and unaccountable oligarchs, I think not.
There is also a criticism of the reference material used in the updated edition. Is using Wikipedia a good source of irrefutable information for a book? However, as the financial system is in imminent danger of collapse and chickens are coming home to roost, no matter what is published will be out of date by the time it hits the proof readers.
After reading this book you will understand why the US is very concerned about Iran and it neighbours going for a new currency to deal in Oil. This alone will send the western world and the US in particular into something akin to freefall. It also explains Iran's desire to obtain nuclear weapons to keep the US at bay. It also makes me wonder how many in China are reading this book and laughing their heads off.
I urge everyone I meet to get a copy of this book and read it; you really do owe it to yourself to understand the money system that controls all our lives.