''Fuel for the post-Christmas lunch argument'' Financial Times

Death and taxes are our inevitable fate. We''ve been told this since the beginning of civilisation. But what if we stopped to question our antiquated system? Is it fair? And is it capable of serving the needs of our rapidly-changing, modern society?

In Daylight Robbery, Dominic Frisby traces the origins of taxation, from its roots in the ancient world, through to today. He explores the role of tax in the formation of our global religions, the part tax played in wars and revolutions throughout the ages, why, at one stage, we paid tax for daylight or for growing a beard. Ranging from the despotic to the absurd, the tax laws of the past reveal so much about how we got to where we are today and what we can do to build a system fit for the future.

''This entertaining, surprising, contrarian book is a tour de force!'' - Matt Ridley, author of The Evolution of Everything

''In this spectacular gallop through history, Frisby shows how taxation has warped, stunted and thwarted human progress'' - Mark Littlewood, Director General, Institute of Economic Affairs

''Against all expectations, Dominic''s book on tax is a real page-turner. His historical interpretation and utopian ideas will outrage Left and Right. Both should read the book'' - Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe and Member of the House of Commons Treasury Committee

''Fascinating book which exposes the political and economic basis of tax. A must read for those of us who believe in simpler, lower taxes'' - Rt Hon Liz Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade

''Both amusing and informative, it''s a romp'' - Bill Bonner, author of Empire of Debt

''Fuel for the post-Christmas lunch argument'' Financial Times

Death and taxes are our inevitable fate. We''ve been told this since the beginning of civilisation. But what if we stopped to question our antiquated system? Is it fair? And is it capable of serving the needs of our rapidly-changing, modern society?

In Daylight Robbery, Dominic Frisby traces the origins of taxation, from its roots in the ancient world, through to today. He explores the role of tax in the formation of our global religions, the part tax played in wars and revolutions throughout the ages, why, at one stage, we paid tax for daylight or for growing a beard. Ranging from the despotic to the absurd, the tax laws of the past reveal so much about how we got to where we are today and what we can do to build a system fit for the future.

''This entertaining, surprising, contrarian book is a tour de force!'' - Matt Ridley, author of The Evolution of Everything

''In this spectacular gallop through history, Frisby shows how taxation has warped, stunted and thwarted human progress'' - Mark Littlewood, Director General, Institute of Economic Affairs

''Against all expectations, Dominic''s book on tax is a real page-turner. His historical interpretation and utopian ideas will outrage Left and Right. Both should read the book'' - Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe and Member of the House of Commons Treasury Committee

''Fascinating book which exposes the political and economic basis of tax. A must read for those of us who believe in simpler, lower taxes'' - Rt Hon Liz Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade

''Both amusing and informative, it''s a romp'' - Bill Bonner, author of Empire of Debt