In a new and very timely landmark series, historian Professor Niall Ferguson tackles the story of money and the rise of global finance. Ferguson argues that behind every great historical phenomenon – empires and republics, wars and revolutions – there lies a financial secret.

Each episode of the series deals with a big bang in the history of money and demonstrates how it has changed the course of history. Tonight Ferguson tackles the origins of banking and argues that the evolution of credit and debt was as important as any technological innovation in the rise of civilisation.

Monday 17 November 2008
8:00pm, Channel 4