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The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Why Some Are So Rich and Some So Poor Hardcover – March 1, 1998

by David S. Landes (Author)

190 customer reviews

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A study of the world's growing gulf between rich and poor explains why Western European nations have been the wealthiest, prospering through open societies, new technologies, and the pursuit of change

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Professor David S. Landes takes a 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 industrialization and became fabulously rich, while other countries failed to adapt and remained poor. Why some countries were able to industrialize 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 favor of his own controversial theory: that the ability to effect an industrial revolution is dependent on certain cultural traits, without which industrialization is impossible to sustain. Landes contrasts the characteristics of successfully industrialized nations--work, thrift, honesty, patience, and tenacity--with those of nonindustrial countries, arguing that until these values are internalized by all nations, the gulf between the rich and poor will continue to grow.

From Publishers Weekly

Landes (Revolution in Time), Harvard professor emeritus of history, undertakes an economic and cultural history of the world during the past five centuries. His well-written, sometimes witty analysis is the kind of work one wants to pause over and reflect upon at each chapter before moving ahead. Landes's principal argument is that the richest nations continue to prosper while poorer nations lag behind because of their relative ability or inability to exploit science, technology and economic opportunity. In every case?from ancient China to modern Japan?he maintains this is largely the result of national attitudes about a myriad of cultural factors. Landes traces the story of England's industrial revolution and America's system of mass production as indicators of the West's superiority over the rest of the world. Some of his historical illustrations are thought-provoking: for example, the importance of air conditioning to the development of the New South in the U.S. and the impact of a lifetime of eating with chopsticks on the manual dexterity of Asia's microprocessing workers. Most of all, Landes stresses the importance of cultural values, such as a predisposition for hard work, open-mindedness and a commitment to democracy, in determining a nation's course toward wealth and power.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product details

Hardcover: 650 pages
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc; 1 edition (March 1, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0393040178
ISBN-13: 978-0393040173
Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 2.2 x 9.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 190 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #256 in Books > Business & Money > Economics > Development & Growth
- #458 in Books > Business & Money > Economics > Theory
- #797 in Books > Business & Money > Economics > Economic Conditions

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One of the best books I've ever read

June 24, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

One of the best books I've ever read. It's difficult to see how one person could have written a book that is so expansive and covers so much material in depth. Absolutely fascinating. Eviscerates some of the more politically correct critics. His chapter on why China, despite some very important inventions, never became a power house. Very insightful and reasonable analysis. Very readable. Good writing. If you're thinking about this book versus something from Niall Ferguson, who writes on similar topics, choose Landes. You wont be disappointed.

8 people found this helpful

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Jacqueline M Scharer

Highly readable, pertinent today!

May 4, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I originally bought this book for background information on my graduate thesis. I was so informative and Landes's writing style is conversational. I enjoyed this book so much, I order another copy for my son who is stationed overseas and shares an interest in History, Economics and Government. Looking forward to some great conversations with him!

One person found this helpful

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Joseph Stadtmiller author of "The Nature of Life and Humanity"

History provides the answer ...

July 1, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

[ASIN:154873912X The Nature of Life and Humanity: Why we must...how we can change the way we live!

This a great book on the history of how the world came to be as it is. The book answered many questions I've wondered about for a long time, not the least of which is how European nations were able to leap frog over the far east when they were centuries ahead of the west on many developmental fronts. Its a slow but a great read, savor it.

One person found this helpful

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Fantastic. Needs to be read by all citizens and ...

January 18, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Fantastic. Needs to be read by all citizens and especially elected officials in our government for historical perspective on what's going on today in our world.

2 people found this helpful

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June 4, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book has been read by millions and reviewed by hundreds. I don't think I can add much more. It's an intriguing premise and Author Landes's conclusions are well supported. Anyone who has traveled around the world will see this for him or her self. The book is written in a plain English clear style - any layman can get the message from what would otherwise be a lesson in macro economics.

4 people found this helpful

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History through the eyes of an insightful author

January 10, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A wonderful reading experience by a talented and insightful author. Learn things about history few authors will explain. Well worth the read!

Comment

Engaging writing style, great breadth of coverage, well balanced

October 7, 2005

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Landes is a great writer, and this book sheds light on the many complex and interacting causes of national economic situations. Landes doesn't seem to have any particular axe to grind. He is not out to convert liberals to conservatism or vice versa. He is mainly interesting in presenting the historical facts, and interpreting them in as fair a manner as possible. Of course, historical interpretation is largely subjective, and some assertions are made without strong evidence or argument. Nevertheless, it is thought-provoking, brings a great deal of information together in a coherent way, and provides a very readable introduction to the complex question of why some countries are rich and others are poor.

6 people found this helpful

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Careful Consummer

A Combination of History & EconomicsThat is Enjoyable

January 29, 2001

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The problem some readers may have is that the author gives an unvarnished, no holes barred, tell it like it is, narrative. Many individuals, as well as nation states want to blame everyone but themselves for short comings. The author pulls no punches. He does gore a lot of sacred cows (not only in India) and that always stirs controversy. But that's what made this book so valuable. The only part I might disagree with is the implied generalization that some groups of immigrants to the United States do well because of their home land's culture. Those that come to this country are a sub-set, a non-representative group that is NOT a cross section of their home population. e.g., the British and other settlers to the New World. They are a select group of either entrepreneurs, risk takers, or else the desperate. They are the ones that either are looking to make a killing or else have nothing to lose and take risk and make it big or else fail trying and try again.
It is worth the price of admission just for the bibliography and footnotes as well as his humor and cynicism. Again a great read!!!

7 people found this helpful

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