Softwar starts at the very first principles of energy and life to build up Power Projection Theory, then applies it to Bitcoin. The theory models all life as abiding by the unexploitable laws of physical power, and human society as abiding by the highly exploitable laws of abstract power. It builds up a model for what physical power would look like in cyberspace and makes the case that Bitcoin fits the bill.

Most other books start with the properties of money, but use Austrian Economics as a "first principle" and consider violence to be a special case rather than a rule.