Kerschagl’s brief book review weighs popular accessibility against scholarly reliability. Its opening establishes the criterion governing the assessment:
Eine an sich ganz nette Untersuchung, die allerdings rein journalistischen Charakter trägt.
English translation: A study quite agreeable in itself, which, however, bears a purely journalistic character.
Journalistic presentation makes Mühlfenzl’s account readable and fluent, but does not guarantee factual accuracy. Kerschagl questions claims concerning the Lydians’ supposedly ingenious invention and John Law. He also criticizes a narrow bibliography confined to books published in Germany, whether by German authors or in German translation.
The review moves from these reservations to a qualified endorsement. Kerschagl credits the book with intelligibility, entertainment, and frequent evidence of sound understanding. Its value lies in helping lay readers understand monetary matters and perhaps encouraging them to pursue more rigorous scientific reading. His closing sentence makes this educational function the basis of praise:
Auch dies ist zweifellos ein Verdienst.
English translation: This too is undoubtedly a merit.
The review thus distinguishes scholarly authority from introductory usefulness: factual and bibliographical weaknesses limit the book’s standing without cancelling its capacity to lead readers toward deeper study.
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