For Good and Evil: The Impact of Taxes on the Course of Civilization

It's unfortunate that so many American citizens are guilty of imposing willful ignorance upon themselves, otherwise our political leaders would be subject to a tighter leash. Charles Adams wrote this most informative book in the early 1990's and it has resonated with me ever since. He covers the history of taxation from the time of the first recording of history. Indeed the Rosetta stone was a tax document, and like the rest of the book it's a follow-the-money theory of history.As Adams points out, figurative "mafia families", who have always run countries, have managed to compensate their armies by taxing the productive capacity of their subjects. Adam's central theme is that governments who overtax their citizens are nearly always "hoisted on their own petard." He cites ancient Greece, Rome, indeed governments from all over the world. His end game is to warn America's political elite that they've gone too far in a game where all great cultures have collapsed from within i.e. rotted at their moral core. And, he's right!This book has many pages of cites and a long bibliography. It's a bit repetitious to read as he covers so many examples to make his point, but it's well worth the attention of every citizen if only they would spare the time.

I read this book sometime ago, but still recall it quite vividly. For good and evil- taxes seem like there here to stay. Adams, a tax attorney by trade, offers an intriguing narrative history of taxation since ancient times. Moreover, he illustrates how their is a fine line of how much sustained taxation a civilization can endure before it collapses, (hence the Laffer Curve.) He points out the pitfalls the befall ancient Rome and Egypt when they engaged in confiscatory taxation policies. Additionally, he shows how high taxes feed a vicious cycle of statism, corruption and more taxes and economic collapse as demagogues rise to the power. Indeed, this book makes it clear that taxation has "the power to destroy" as it has brought mighty empires to their knees. (Granted, some might say its the effect, not the cause of a debased culture. Morality and tradition play a role as well in the collapse of civilizations.)Also recommend: When Nations Die by Jim Black.

This book is a "must read" for anyone who is serious about understanding the history of economics and taxation, regardless of point of view. If you are a libertarian you will enjoy it - and learn a lot. If you are a tax and spend liberal, you will probably just learn a lot.

This book should be required reading in all classrooms. Ignorance of taxes and basic financial principles is a recipe for disaster, personally and as a nation. Will we ever wake up and realize what we are doing to our families and childern. It does not have to be this way and this book gives some options.

This book contains some of the most powerful examples of what is going wrong with the USA today, and provides insight on what we should be going different. I read dozens of books a year on politics and current affairs and I think this is the best book I've read this decade. I recommend this book to everyone I can. The book has facinating historical references that are compiled like no other book I've seen. You won't be disappointed.