About “Debt”
The book argues that debt existed long before money, shaping human societies for 5,000 years. Throughout history, debt and the idea of debt forgiveness have played central roles in politics, laws, and religions. The concepts of guilt, sin, and redemption originated from ancient discussions about debt. These ideas have influenced fundamental understandings of morality and justice. The author examines how debt has shaped cultural and social structures, revealing the deep connections between financial obligations and human behavior.
Praise for “Debt”
“Written in a brash, engaging style, the book is also a philosophical inquiry into the nature of debt — where it came from and how it evolved.”
“[A] groundbreaking study...opened up a vibrant and ongoing conversation about the evolution of our economic system by challenging conventional accounts of the origins of money and markets; relationships of credit and debt, he showed, preceded the development of coinage and cash.”
“Debt [is] meticulously and deliciously detailed.”
Book details
- Published
- 2011
- Latest edition
- 2021 · ISBN 9781612199337
- ISBN
- 9781612199337
View more editions (6)
| Cover | Edition | Year | ISBN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Debt, Tenth Anniversary Edition | 2021 | 9781612199337 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Debt | 2014 | 9781612194196 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Debt | 2014 | 9781612194202 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Debt | 2012 | 9781612191812 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Debt | 2011 | 9781933633862 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Debt | 2011 | 9781612190983 | Buy on Amazon |
Frequently asked questions
How many pages is Debt?
Debt by David Graeber has 576 pages.
More by David Graeber
Book descriptions, author biographies, award records and review quotes on this page are courtesy of Penguin Random House.