Rating: 
Summary: Excellent historical overview
Review: This was a thoughtful and well written book. Although Landis is an academic and is therefore rigorous in supporting his arguments, he does not shy away from the occasional anecdote that makes the book readable and, at times, even funny. This book is a good read.Landis shows an amazing span of knowledge, showing both geographic and chronological breadth. I found myself acquiring a lot of new facts from this book. This, in itself, makes the book worth reading. What I found lacking, however, was a theory to wrap all of these observations together. A book with a grandiose title such as this one promises to the reader some overarching grand theory that links the economic successes and failures of societies throughout the ages; that offers some insights into the question that he poses on the cover: "...why some are so rich and some are so poor." This, for me, was something of a tease. I enjoyed reading the author's observations on various cultures and their economic successes and failures, however I don't think I left with a better comprehensive understanding of the fundamental factors that drive economic success. I did get some insight, for example, on why the Japanese were able to become a first-tier techonologica/economic power despite missing out on Europe's industrial revolution. I also understand a bit better how China destroyed their technological/economic head start on Europe by deliberately choosing isolationism. And I got something out of the contrasts between economic growth in North and South America. But I'm not sure that I got any understanding of the thread that binds these diverse successes and failures. Landis handles facts and regional analysis masterfully, however, I can't help but feel that I waded through six hundred pages waiting for the punchline that never came.
Rating: 
Summary: A minor masterpiece.
Review: Prof. Landes has written an audacious and racy work that gives the lie to much of what is currently voguish in the highly sensitive area of the connection between culture and economic development. I expect this provocative thesis will not be bested for quite some time. And the man really can write - this book is a pleasure to read! Prof. L is probably the most articulate "dismal scientist" since JK Galbraith. Do yourself a favour: if you are to read one book this year, make it this one.
Rating:
Summary: France in India
Review: Dear Mr Landes, I saw you on french TV and bought your book. In the chapter about India, You never mentionned DUPLEIX. This guy nearly got all india for France (the king of france at that time) and was defeated by the british . the french kept in hand only five(5) ports of commerce: Yanaon, Pondichery, Karikal, Mahé, etc.. I didnt' read anything about this part of histry in your book . is it on purpose? alain Malliet
Rating: 
Summary: Full of prejudice.
Review: I found this book full of prejudice, full of value judgements,and only slightly scientific. I would only like to put out this question,was Spain responsible of the poverty of all South Europe, Center- and South-America ? Fortunely there are much more historians who go beyond this limited book.
Rating:
Summary: full of prejudice, no big conclusions
Review: Your read, and read, and read, and you wonder: what is the conclusion of the writer? I don't know. What is his "great" theory to explain the tittle of the book? I don't know. Yes, it was great research for a accomplished historian, but nothing more than that. It superficial, full of prejudice (like..."North is better, that's why people move to it . It is true, but why? The question is not answered!)
Rating:
Summary: Great book for our Executive MBAs and Faculty!
Review: This book is brilliant! 'Nuff said, but I'll say some more anyway. We provided this book to our 30 Executive MBA's (40 year olds, mostly Europeans) in the IMD Executive MBA Program. It was a daunting task for many to read. We also asked the faculty to read it. Without exception virtually, we all felt Landes provided us with powerful ideas and insights into the world impossible to glean elsewhere. It's not a matter of whether Landes is right or not. Who cares? This book combines powerful ideas and theory with an easy-to-read and entertaining approach. It's a eye opener for all. Enjoy it and savor it. I've read it twice -- there is much to learn here.
Rating: 
Summary: Ambitious, Provocative. A real Winner
Review: David Landes is not the first author to attempt to explain the world's staggering disparity in wealth and long-term economic growth, but he is one of the best. Happily, he is a clever British academic, full of the qualities that so distinguish that breed: penetrating wit, unabashed confidence in the verity of his arguments, and a keen eye for narrative. Offering an important counterpoint to recent works of this nature that have tended to concentrate on biological factors (Plagues and Peoples; Guns, Germs, and Steel), Wealth and Poverty tackles the nagging question of the relative prosperity of peoples from an essentially economic point of view. This is not terribly surprising: Landes is a professor of economics at Harvard University. His arguments are refreshing neo-conservative thought. Readers of The Economist should be quite pleased when Landes asserts that the rule of law, respect for property rights, a culture respectful of innovation, and lack of a stifling centralized government all contributed in various forms to the ultimate economic supremacy of the United Kingdom, and over time, Europe and the United States. Variations on these themes led to different forms and different paces of economic progress in other countries. Where Landes succeeds in this work is by tying together an extremely diverse body of past work, making firm conclusions, and with an excellent sense of narrative pace. Themes as broad as this cannot be analyzed purely statistically, nor do they lend themselves particularly well to long-winded summarizations and fence sitting. Wealth and Poverty breezes through continents and centuries with a self-assurance that is captivating and convincing. With a sensitive touch, Landes separates the wheat from the chaff of the classical, racially-tinged views on this topic, while taking a great deal of joy in blasting his detractors along the way. Just the footnotes make fascinating reading. It's ambitious, provocative, and very English. Enough said?
Rating:
Summary: If there were a perfect book, we'd all have it. . . .
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Professor Landes' attempt at explaining a vast and difficult subject. Agreed, he at times strayed from explanation into storytelling, but they were all enlightening, well-told stories. His point of view is well-supported and refreshing in it's open dismissal of politically popular opinions as such. Don't be fooled into thinking that this is a work of hardboiled, statistically-sound scholarship, though; his conclusions are anything but incontrivertible. Nevertheless, as a survey of the vast body of knowledge Dr. Landes is privy to after his years of study, it is a wonderful statement of his personal conclusions on a problem that absorbs all of mankind, whether they realize it or not.
Rating:
Summary: A blend of sweeping overview and illuminating insight
Review: This is an extended and masterful analysis of the issue stated in the title, carried by what is no less than an economic history of the world, in so far as many parts of it ever had an economy to speak of. Vast though the scope may be, the author's assurance never falters, finding the right balance between sweeping overview and illuminating insight. His views are often fresh and arresting - as for example when he identifies the technological factors in Medieval Europe that laid the foundation for take-off and sustained economic and industrial growth from the fifteenth century onwards. He is particularly impressive on the theme of why the West achieved worldwide dominance in the last half-millennium, not just in terms of outright power and wealth but of thought and values also, and on why potential competitors, such as China and India, got left behind. The treatment of the First and Second Industrial Revolutions, and of the relative fall and rise of Britain and Germany in the process, is especially enjoyable. Also effective is the treatment of the success of Japan in making the transition to an industrialised society, this being very interestingly counterpointed with the failure of Mohammed Ali's Egypt to do the same. One's enjoyment of the book is enhanced by the fact that the writer does not hesitate to state his case with strength and conviction, and is obviously not concerned with concessions to transient fashions in historical retrospectivity. One may not agree with each and every opinion or viewpoint but it is a pleasure to see them expounded with such conviction, energy and elegance. In summary, a marvellous book not just to read once through but to treasure for dipping into and referring to in the years ahead.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting but analysis a bit glib
Review: As an economist with interest in (economic) history I was curious to read this book and compare with others that touch on this very fascinating subject of causes of long-term growth. There has been a spate of books on macro-socioeconomic history especially from late 70s onward (North, E. Jones, Gress etc) and this one fits in that series. I found the book well-written in journalistic style and sometimes funny. It gives a good and lively overview of economic and social history. The analysis I found less convincing and not very deep or penetrating, relying on cases or 'just-so' history. Some statements using economics (such as 'work is better than wealth') were frankly very puzzling to me. That said, as a popularizing book on history and economics is still has merit. But it is especially the style rather than content that earns it 3 stars.
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