Summary

The third edition of this highly successful text takes a broad look at the world's economic history from pre-historic times to the present. Placing contemporary world economy in historical perspective, it explores the critical reasons why some nations have become rich while others failed. The author expands coverage of the EEC, now the European Union, and extensively restructures his work on the non-Western world in light of recent scholarship. He also gives special attention to developments in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and the European Union. Now available in 11 languages, including Spanish (second edition), French, German (2 volumes), Polish, and Chinese, this uniquely comprehensive text remains an invaluable, lively, and accessible text for both undergraduate and graduate students of European economic history and world development.