A Concise Economic History of the World: From Paleolithic Times to the Present

Grounded in modern economic theory but written in non-technical language accessible even to non-specialists, this comprehensive history highlights events that have contributed to prosperity and material well-being--that is, to "development"--as well as those that have resulted in continued "underdevelopment" for large areas of the world. The first half of the book surveys world history from ancient times to the eighteenth century, outlining the origins of Western prosperity. The second half investigates in detail the industrialization and urbanization that transformed Europe and America in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Cameron places the contemporary world economy in broad historical perspective, making both the East-West rivalry and the North-South split more understandable. A valuable resource for scholars of economic history and economic development, it is also invaluable for upper division and graduate courses in economic history and economic development. With its predominantly narrative style, A Concise Economic History of the World will also be of great interest to non-specialist readers who want to know more about how the world came to be as it is.

Rondo Cameron, William Rand Kenan University Professor of Economics, Emory University.