Product Description

Professor Robert Lopez provides an incisive analysis of the economic structure of the Middle Ages. He makes use of modern economic concepts to explain how an underdeveloped economic system gave birth to the commercial revolution through which Europe succeeded in developing itself. The book goes far beyond the familiar picture of medieval European society, with its magnificent cathedrals and imposing castles, to concentrate instead on the walled cities and open countryside, for it was here that the revolution was born. Deftly and concisely, Professor Lopez traces the history of this remarkable economic upheaval which saw the rise of merchants and craftsmen and the decline of agricultural dependence by the society.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #327607 in Books
• Published on: 1976-03-26
• Released on: 2008-01-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 196 pages

Customer Reviews

Good starter for medieval economy
This book was a nice, and easy reading for someone not well acquainted with medieval history nor with its economy.

The book provides a short introduction to the position of merchants and artisans in the ancient times and then proceeds to show what changed and how in the middle ages. It first shows how the surplus from agriculture slowly grows and then how cities and towns are revived and trade with them.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a basic understanding of medieval economy.