<p>Rondo Cameron's <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concise-Economic-History-World-Paleolithic/dp/0195127056" rel="nofollow noreferrer">A Concise Economic History of the World</a> may be helpful. I read an early edition many years ago and it certainly is primarily economic history rather than history of economic thought. One limitation however, identified in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ahr/article-abstract/95/5/1496/70168?redirectedFrom=fulltext" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this review</a>, is that despite its title it focuses mainly on Europe.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-09T23:18:35.143Z
2017-11-09T23:18:35.143Z
Adam Bailey
<p>Maybe also "Why nations fail" from Daron Acemoglu!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-10T09:56:52.707Z
2017-12-10T09:56:52.707Z
hermanzegerman
<p><a href="https://mobile.audible.com/pd/History/An-Economic-History-of-the-World-since-1400-Audiobook/B01K4ZNTFS?ref=msw_search_c1_0_1_AN" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://mobile.audible.com/pd/History/An-Economic-History-of-the-World-since-1400-Audiobook/B01K4ZNTFS?ref=msw_search_c1_0_1_AN</a></p>

<p>I recommend this — there isn’t a written format. You can choose Amazon Video, Audible Audiobook, or DVD. </p>

<p>Highly recommended, however.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-09T23:04:07.553Z
2018-01-09T23:04:07.553Z
Dave
<p>I would suggest Felipe Fernandez-Armesto and The World: a History</p>

<p><a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/013113499X" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/013113499X</a></p>

<p>It is an easy read and is rather less eurocentric. Starts from the close ancestors of humankind, has a good emphasis on early societies and definitely brilliant reading list at the end of every chapter.  </p>

<p>Also, in addition to Acemoğlu, Jared Diamond and Gregory Clark would be a good start. The books are called "guns, germs and steel" and "a farewell to alms" respectively.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-10T18:07:19.030Z
FYI, if you look at the url shared, everything after "ref" can be removed, as a matter of habit, to prevent sharing unnecessary information (more relevant for some cases than others). For example, https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/013113499X is a complete link, and so is https://www.amazon.com/World-History-Combined-Felipe-Fernandez-Armesto/dp/013113499X.
nathanwww
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-10T21:57:21.033Z
2018-04-11T20:04:36.457Z
2018-04-11T20:04:36.457Z
Ozan
<p>I am trying to find a book that covers human history with a special focus on economics. It should answer questions like:</p>

<ul>
<li>What economic systems prevailed during which eras?</li>
<li>How did these systems work in detail?</li>
<li>How did economic organization evolve (Not just since the industrial revolution)?</li>
<li>Were there civilizations which particularily focused on economic development?</li>
</ul>

<p>It should NOT be a history of economic thought, like e.g. Niall Kishtainy's "A little history of economics".</p>

<macroeconomics><microeconomics><reference-request><history><economic-history>
What are good books on economic world history?
stollenm
# What are good books on economic world history?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-11-09)

I am trying to find a book that covers human history with a special focus on economics. It should answer questions like:

* What economic systems prevailed during which eras?
* How did these systems work in detail?
* How did economic organization evolve (Not just since the industrial revolution)?
* Were there civilizations which particularily focused on economic development?

It should NOT be a history of economic thought, like e.g. Niall Kishtainy's "A little history of economics".

**Tags:** macroeconomics, microeconomics, reference-request, history, economic-history

---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-11-09. Score: 1

Rondo Cameron's [A Concise Economic History of the World](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concise-Economic-History-World-Paleolithic/dp/0195127056) may be helpful. I read an early edition many years ago and it certainly is primarily economic history rather than history of economic thought. One limitation however, identified in [this review](https://academic.oup.com/ahr/article-abstract/95/5/1496/70168?redirectedFrom=fulltext), is that despite its title it focuses mainly on Europe.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-12-10. Score: 0

Maybe also "Why nations fail" from Daron Acemoglu!


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-01-09. Score: 0

<https://mobile.audible.com/pd/History/An-Economic-History-of-the-World-since-1400-Audiobook/B01K4ZNTFS?ref=msw_search_c1_0_1_AN>

I recommend this — there isn’t a written format. You can choose Amazon Video, Audible Audiobook, or DVD.

Highly recommended, however.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-12-10. Score: 0

I would suggest Felipe Fernandez-Armesto and The World: a History

[https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/013113499X](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/013113499X)

It is an easy read and is rather less eurocentric. Starts from the close ancestors of humankind, has a good emphasis on early societies and definitely brilliant reading list at the end of every chapter.

Also, in addition to Acemoğlu, Jared Diamond and Gregory Clark would be a good start. The books are called "guns, germs and steel" and "a farewell to alms" respectively.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: FYI, if you look at the url shared, everything after "ref" can be removed, as a matter of habit, to prevent sharing unnecessary information (more relevant for some cases than others). For example, https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/013113499X is a complete link, and so is https://www.amazon.com/World-History-Combined-Felipe-Fernandez-Armesto/dp/013113499X.  

---

