Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42734 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 661 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Professor David S. Landes takes an historic approach to the analysis of the distribution of wealth in this landmark study of world economics. Landes argues that the key to today's disparity between the rich and poor nations of the world stems directly from the Industrial Revolution, in which some countries made the leap to industrialisation and became fabulously rich, while other countries failed to adapt and remained poor. Why some countries were able to industrialise and others weren't has been the subject of much heated debate over the decades; climate, natural resources and geography have all been put forward as explanations--and are all brushed aside by Landes in favour of his own controversial theory: that the ability to effect an industrial revolution is dependent on certain cultural traits, without which industrialisation is impossible to sustain. Landes contrasts the characteristics of successfully industrialised nations-- work, thrift, honesty, patience and tenacity--with those of non-industrial countries, arguing that until these values are internalised by all nations, the gulf between the rich and the poor will continue to grow.

Review
'A masterpiece' Norman Stone 'One of the most important works of history to appear in my lifetime' A N Wilson 'For once, amazingly, a book lives up to the hype ... a blast of fresh air, a work of militant good sense' EVENING STANDARD 'Gripping ... well worth reading' OBSERVER

A N Wilson
'One of the most important works of history to appear in my lifetime'

Customer Reviews

Provocative but a bit shallow
My opinion of this book is that anyone who wants to know "the causes of the wealth and poverty of nations" would do better to read Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs and Steel" which is more thoroughly researched, more original, more thought through and more readable.

Having said that, Landes' book, while covering exactly the same subject, is as different from Diamond's as it is possible to be, and I would certainly recommend anyone who found GG&S interesting to read this too.

I liked this book for its ideas, its ambition and broad range and the many fascinating facts, stories and anecdotes. On the other hand on those subjects I have some knowledge of I found it rather shallow and sometimes inaccurate or out-of-date.

Landes has a take-no-prisoners style. At first I found this refreshing and enjoyable (since I mostly agree with what he has to say), but eventually I just got sick of his constant whinging about foreigners, political correctness and academic rivals... Despite what the other reviewers may say I would recommend not to read this book all in one go - unless you are a Daily Telegraph reader, in which case I guess you can cope!

Incomplete
It is a nice book but the question why some are so rich and some so poor has not been fully answered. The subject is just too broad I guess. Landes for instance almost completely ignores the development of agriculture. I can recommend this book but for the full picture one must read more about the subject than just this.

Packed with Knowledge!
David S. Landes has written an extraordinary economic history that will open your eyes about countries’ economic flops and good fortune. He also covers what makes a country achieve — and keep — great economic success. The book will appeal not only to economic history buffs, but also to the average person who needs to know how to keep a company or a country from economic trouble. Not to mention, he offers lots of great cocktail party anecdotes to impress your friends. Landes builds on solid economic data, but his unusual factual nuggets and vivid commentary are what make the book such a pleasure to read. In an age where politicians seek to make sure America stays economically relevant amid huge trade friction, We believe this book is a must-read for not just the chief executive officer, but for the rank-and-file workers who want to make sure they will be winners, not losers, in international trade. Landes has cooked up a great feast of economic history. Come, draw up a chair to the table and partake of this rich bounty.