This is the best overview I have found, of the payments systems in the world - how they work, and the way the different exchanges work. It is not for those who know nothing about finance and banking, but certainly good for those (like me) who know finance but not much about how payment systems work. The authors have wisely chosen to stay away from describing the technology products that run the world's financial systems, since they change too fast anyway, but have stayed focused on the important systems that will not change. if you want to know how credit cards work, how banks transfer funds abroad etc., this is a great introduction.
