United States Government Strategy for Fighting HIV/AIDS Implementation of Public Law 108-25 ... Book

Here is a history of an element that is almost universally desired. It crosses national, ethnic, and religious cultures--indeed, it might be deemed the thing we all worship. The author covers the history from legends (King Midas) and biblical stories (The Golden Calf) to 2001, when the book was published. It is quite a journey.
Of course gold is worth so much because we all agree it is worth something. If we decided coconuts were as valuable, the world would be changed forever. (ha). The book carries us through the search for gold, trading the gold, killing for gold, etc.
Bernstein spends a good deal of time explaining the gold standard--whereby many countries pegged their currency to the value of gold. I have to admit, he lost me a bit here, but I got the idea. Since the book has been published, gold has quadrupled in value--I would be curious to see what the author would say about that.