The history of nations is a history of haves and have-nots, and as we approach the millennium, the gap between rich and poor countries is widening. In this engrossing and important new work, eminent historian David Landes explores the complex, fascinating and often startling causes of the wealth and poverty of nations. The answers are found not only in the large forces at work in economies: geography, religion, the broad swings of politics, but also in the small surprising details. In Europe, the invention of spectacles doubled the working life of skilled craftsmen, and played a prominent role in the creation of articulated machines, and in China, the failure to adopt the clock fundamentally hindered economic development. The relief of poverty is vital to the survival of us all. As David Landes brilliantly shows, the key to future success lies in understanding the lessons the past has to teach us - lessons uniquely imparted in this groundbreaking and vital book which exemplifies narrative history at its best.
'Breathtaking... an exciting and important book... Landes shows an amazing breadth of scholarship... he has a robust theory, which he expands with pleasant irony and an eye for suspense... This is a book which takes Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations as its text and unashamedly bangs te drum for the liberal ideals of freedom, hard work and open markets... A formidable work containing mant surprises and insights and, above all, wisdom' FINANCIAL TIMES ' Brings economic history and the history of technology to life in a bold and exiting way ' SUNDAY TIMES
1. Natures Inequalities 2. Answers to Geography : Europe and China 3. European Exeptionalism : A Different Path 4. The Invention of Invention 5. The Great Opening 6. Eastward Ho ! 7.From Discoveries to Empire 8. Bittersweet Isles 9. Empire in the East 10. For Love of Gain 11. Golconda 12.Winners and Losers: The Balance Sheet of Empire 13. The Nature of Industrial Revolution 14. Why Europe ? Why Then ? 15. Britain and the Others 16. Pursuit of Albion 17. You Need Money to Make Money 18. The Wealth of Knowledge 19. Frontiers 20. The South American Way 21. Celestial Empire : Stasis and Retreat 22. Japan : and the Last Shall be First 23. The Meiji Restoration 24. History Gone Wrong ? 25. Empire and after 26. Loss of Leadership 27. Winneers and... 28. Losers 29. How Did We Get Here ? Where Are We Going
About David Landes
David Landes is an economist who has enjoyed a distinguished academic career which includes senior posts at Columbia University and Harvard. He has both written and edited a great deal, and his work has been published in the States and Europe.
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