Broken Money is a book by Lyn Alden exploring the history and evolution of money, from its origins in barter and commodity systems to modern fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. The author examines various monetary systems throughout history, analyzing their successes and failures. A key theme is the tension between centralized control and decentralized, user-governed ledgers, with a focus on the implications for power structures and human rights. The book also discusses the role of technology in shaping monetary systems and its impact on economic inequality and political populism. Finally, the author argues that Bitcoin presents a potential solution to the inherent flaws of existing systems.