Adam Smith Wealth of Nations

A towering work of history examining the world's most pressing problem—the growing gulf between rich and poor. For the last six hundred years, the world's wealthiest countries have been mostly European. Late in our century, the balance has begun to shift toward Asia, where countries such as Japan have grown at astounding rates. Why have these dominant nations been blessed, and why are so many others still mired in poverty?… The key to relieving much of the world's poverty lies in understanding the lessons history has to teach us—lessons uniquely imparted in this groundbreaking book.