The Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History - Hardcover

Joel Mokyr is Robert H. Strotz Professor of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Economics and History, Northwestern University.

Economist John Hicks wrote that "a major function of economic history . . . is to be a forum where economists and political scientists, lawyers, sociologists, and historians . . . can meet and talk to one another." Similarly, scholars and students in these disciplines, as well as business and public administration, will find The Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History a valuable interdisciplinary reference tool. More than 875 signed articles cover all aspects of economic history, including concepts and definitions, institutions, historical events, and people. Major entries address macroeconomic topics such as consumption, national income accounts, and economic growth. Money, banking, and finance are well covered with essays ranging from the history of banking to the futures market. In addition, the set includes entries on the economic histories of more than 100 countries and regions and 36 cities as well as surveys of more than 80 industries. These surveys provide a historical overview of the industry and a discussion of technological change, organization, markets, and trade. Biographical essays of 36 economists and economic historians will be welcomed by students researching the individuals covered, who range from Adam Smith (1773-1790) to Robert Fogel (1926-). Also here are essays on inventors, entrepreneurs, bankers, and labor leaders.

The interdisciplinary nature of the encyclopedia is illustrated by entries encompassing Child care, Pollution, Public health, and Religion. Volume 5 includes a topical outline of articles, which librarians should consult upon receipt of the set to familiarize themselves with the many areas of study to which the essays will be relevant. This volume also offers a list of relevant Internet sites and an extremely comprehensive index. Each essay has a bibliography with an average of about 10 sources, although some are much longer.

Although there are numerous encyclopedias of economics and two widely held encyclopedias of U.S. economic history (Encyclopedia of American Economic History [Scribner, 1980] and Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History [1999]), there is no source comparable to this. Highly recommended for all academic libraries as well as larger public libraries. RBB
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