Dear Reader,
The book you are holding came about in a rather different way to most others. It was funded directly by readers through a new website: Unbound.
Unbound is the creation of three writers. We started the company because we believed there had to be a better deal for both writers and readers. On the Unbound website, authors share the ideas for the books they want to write directly with readers. If enough of you support the book by pledging for it in advance, we produce a beautifully bound special subscribers edition and distribute a regular edition and e-book wherever books are sold, in shops and online.
This new way of publishing is actually a very old idea (Samuel Johnson funded his dictionary this way). Were just using the internet to build each writer a network of patrons. Here, at the back of this book, youll find the names of all the people who made it happen.
Publishing in this way means readers are no longer just passive consumers of the books they buy, and authors are free to write the books they really want. They get a much fairer return too half the profits their books generate, rather than a tiny percentage of the cover price.
If youre not yet a subscriber, we hope that youll want to join our publishing revolution and have your name listed in one of our books in the future. To get you started, here is a 5 discount on your first pledge. Just visit unbound.com , make your pledge and type LIFEA7in the promo code box when you check out.
Thank you for your support,
Dan, Justin and John
Founders, Unbound
Contents
Part I
The Rise of the Monster
Part II
Money and Tax: Why Youll Never Be One of the 1%
Part III
Pillars of the State?
Part IV
Towards Life After the State
About the author
Dominic Frisby writes an investment column for MoneyWeek and has written and produced numerous short films and videos. His script-writing ranges from episodes of the kids show Roary the Racing Car to the feature documentary The Four Horsemen , about the global financial crisis. He is a frequent speaker on gold and money on television, radio and at conferences.
Frisby is also a comedian and actor, described as viciously funny and inventive by the Guardian ; masterful by the Evening Standard ; and great comedy talent by Chortle.co.uk.
Day-to-day he is found trotting about the sound studios of London, voicing everything from BBC nature documentaries to zombies in Hollywood blockbusters.
He has also worked as a TV presenter, a boxing-ring announcer, a florist, a removal man, an extremely camp theatrical agents PA, a sports commentator and a busker.
Life After the State is his first book.
The debasement of money has become a damaging but everyday feature of our lives. Its consequences are everywhere, yet, somehow, it goes unseen. The implications to all in society and on future generations are profound.
So I am delighted to be supporting Dominic with his book; he is a great communicator, and the issues he raises deserve a wide audience. Let us hope that his words inspire an optimistic debate leading to real and positive change.
ROBERT POCOCK
FOUNDER, FYI BUSINESS ECONOMICS LTD
To Samuel, Eliza, Lola and Ferdie,
who I love more than life itself
I hope you get to experience life after the state
With special thanks to Brian Cartmell
The more laws and restrictions there are,
The poorer people become . . .
The more rules and regulations,
The more thieves and robbers.
Therefore the sage says:
I take no action and people are reformed.
I enjoy peace and people become honest.
I do nothing and people become rich.