The Cambridge History of Capitalism delves deep into the historical roots of capitalism to provide a detailed account of its rise, spread and impact across the world. With contributions from an international team of leading scholars, this two-volume work is a definitive reference on the global history of capitalism.

Volume 1: 1. Introduction Larry Neal; 2. Babylonia in the first millennium BC - economic growth in times of empire Michael Jursa; 3. Capitalism and the ancient Greek economy Alain Bresson; 4. Re-constructing the Roman economy Willem M. Jongman; 5. Trans-Asian trade, or the Silk Road deconstructed (Antiquity, Middle Ages) Etienne de la Vaissiere; 6. China before capitalism R. Bin Wong; 7. Capitalism in India in the very long run Tirthankar Roy; 8. Institutional change and economic development in the Middle East, 700-1800 Sevket Pamuk; 9. Markets and coercion in medieval Europe Karl Gunnar Persson; 10. The Via Italiana to capitalism Luciano Pezzolo; 11. The Low Countries Oscar Gelderblom and Joost Jonker; 12. The formation of states and transitions to modern economies: England, Europe and Asia compared Patrick Karl O'Brien; 13. Pre-Columbian and Iberian America Richard Salvucci; 14. The emergence of African capitalism Morten Jerven; 15. Native Americans and exchange: strategies and interactions before 1800 Ann M. Carlos and Frank D. Lewis; 16. British and European industrialization C. Knick Harley; 17. America: capitalism's promised land Jeremy Atack; 18. The political economy of rising capitalism Jose Luis Cardoso; Index. Volume 2: 1. Introduction: the spread of and resistance to global capitalism Kevin H. O'Rourke and Jeffrey G. Williamson; 2. The spread of manufacturing Robert C. Allen; 3. Growth, specialization and organization of world agriculture Giovanni Federico; 4. Technology and the spread of capitalism Kristine Bruland and David C. Mowery; 5. Spread of legal innovations defining private and public domains Ron Harris; 6. Firms and global capitalism Geoffrey Jones; 7. Enterprise models: freestanding firms versus family pyramids Randall Morck and Bernard Yeung; 8. Financial capitalism Ranald Michie; 9. International capital movements and the global order Harold James; 11. Capitalism at war Mark Harrison; 12. Modern capitalism: enthusiasts, opponents, and reformers Jeffry Frieden and Ronald Rogowski; 13. Labor movements Michael Huberman; 14. 'Private welfare and the welfare state' Peter H. Lindert; 15. Capitalism and human welfare Leandro Prados de la Escosura; 16. The future of capitalism Larry Neal and Jeffrey G. Williamson; Index.

'In many respects the history of capitalism is the history most relevant to our times. It's a huge story and is well told in this very important book.' Lawrence H. Summers, Charles W. Eliot University Professor, Harvard University'The two editors of The Cambridge History of Capitalism have done an excellent job in assembling an all-star group of scholars in presenting first-rate essays dealing with the development and accomplishments of capitalism and the important impacts of national and international markets for labor, capital, and goods throughout the world. These studies range in time from ancient Babylonia to today. All essays are superbly researched and highly informative in detailing the contributions of markets and of capitalism to global political and economic development.' Stanley Engerman, University of Rochester, New York'This is a book we have been waiting for: an authoritative analysis of the rise and development of global capitalism, inspired by the great classical economists and written by a team of excellent experts in the field. A fine update of our knowledge about one of the big questions in the social sciences.' Jan Luiten van Zanden, Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands'Excellent ... a wide-ranging tour of capitalism.' The Economist'... these carefully written surveys and case studies will stand the test of time.' John George Kendall, Reference Reviews'The editors deserve praise for assembling such a diverse and distinguished group of authors while maintaining coherence and cross-referencing across chapters ... the two volumes make a strong case that economic history as currently practiced is essential for an understanding of capitalism and its history.' David Mitch, EH.Net'... an inestimable contribution.' Oxford Today'In both volumes, the essays are well researched, cogently argued and attractively written by leading scholars in their fields. The adoption of thematic chapters in the second volume presented the opportunity of in-depth analysis of a wide variety of topics, and the authors have generally responded with enthusiasm and striking erudition ... In over a thousand pages, these authors certainly cover immense ground, and the work carries an impressive and confident air.' David Meredith, The English Historical Review