An Economic History of the World since 1400

By: Donald J. Harreld, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Donald J. Harreld

Length: 24 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Most of us have a limited understanding of the powerful role economics has played in shaping human civilization. This makes economic history - the study of how civilizations structured their environments to provide food, shelter, and material goods - a vital lens through which to think about how we arrived at our present, globalized moment.

Designed to fill a long-empty gap in how we think about modern history, these 48 lectures are a comprehensive journey through more than 600 years of economic history, from the medieval world to the 21st century. Aimed at the layperson with only a cursory understanding of the field, An Economic History of the World since 1400 reveals how economics has influenced (and been influenced by) historical events and trends, including the Black Death, the Age of Exploration, the Industrial Revolution, the European colonization of Africa, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the birth of personal computing. Professor Harreld has crafted a riveting, centuries-long story of power, glory, and ideology that reveals how, in step with history, economic ideas emerged, evolved, and thrived or died.

Along the way, you'll strengthen your understanding of a range of economic concepts, philosophies, trends, treaties, and organizations, including the mercantile system, Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations, Marxist economics, African independence movements, and the formation of economic organizations including the European Union. You'll also consider provocative questions about the intersection of history and economics. What did the economies of Roosevelt's America and Hitler's Germany have in common? What does history tell us about how nations should dictate economic policy? Can we say that free trade is truly free?

Marvel at just how much we still have to learn about the economic forces that have dictated our past - and that will dictate our future.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 The Great Courses (P)2016 The Teaching Company, LLC

Wish I'd Taken This Class As an Undergrad!

Any additional comments?

Excellent introductory survey. The half-hour lecture format limits in-depth discussions, but the author packs a lot into each session. Some coverage of non-Euro cultures such as China and Japan as well as the expected chapters on the textile industry, Industrial Revolution, Finance Capitalism, etc.
This is an inspiring undergrad-level course I wish had been offered when i was in school.

Excellent Review Economic History

This course is delivered in atop quality manner. Easy to listen to. Deserves top marks.

Fascinating exploration of history

Much more interesting than expected! A fascinating look at history through the lens of economics. The narration was a bit hard to follow at times because it is clearly being read. But the material is well worth the effort.

enlightening!

What made the experience of listening to An Economic History of the World since 1400 the most enjoyable?

I thought it was a fair depiction of the evolution of the economic history of man.

What did you like best about this story?

I like how the author smoothly connects every period to the next

What does Professor Donald J. Harreld bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

i wouldn't know because i didn't trying reading it

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

the economic journey of man

Any additional comments?

his voice is boring because the text is very academic and boring and lacks emotion but it is still educational and enlightening nevertheless

Great content but instructor drops words

The instructor doesn’t pronounce many of the last words in sentences. I can hear him mouth the words but in such a soft whisper that I have to listen multiple times to figure out the word. Otherwise it was great content that I haven’t seen or heard before.

Interesting but, at times, also rather bland

What did you love best about An Economic History of the World since 1400?

The topic itself is fundamentally interesting. It is the study of nothing less than the emergence of the complex foundations on which the modern world now stands.

Would you be willing to try another book from The Great Courses? Why or why not?

Yes, I would and I have already done so.

What aspect of Professor Donald J. Harreld’s performance would you have changed?

At times I thought his presentation was bland. His style is steady and balanced but economic history can drift toward being dull without some passion to bring it to life.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

I had not realised how advanced the Chinese economy was when Europe was still very backward.

Any additional comments?

Overall, a very good introduction to the topic.

Just ok

This book discusses economic history from the British/American perspective. It was dissapointining to hear that much on England in pre-modern times and hear so little about other parts of the world. The narrator is terrible - makes many mistakes, is incomprehensible at times. But the book does have a nice structure and makes some interesting points.

Vaguely unsatisfying

Hard to know exactly how to rate these survey courses. How much does economics differ from finance differ from politics differ from social history? Especially at the survey level?

The material before the industrial revolution was good. The most recent stuff was just a rehash.

Nonetheless anyone who is widely read keeps going ”yabbut”. With lots of his examples. And then saying “But could I do better?”

That might be my problem with all survey courses. (Except Art History. That was fun. And Chemistry. They do two years material in one year. That’s no fun.)

Informative but dry and somewhat repetitive

Towards the end I found myself listening just to finish it. The first 15 hours we're filled with a lot of great content but my attention span petered out towards the end. It was presented in a way that made most of the facts I learned hard to recall. In the moment, during my listening, there were captivating stories and I did enjoy the realization that a lot of our current social and economic issues are thousands of years old.

Great content and great exposition

Very interesting and relevant content for those who are interested in economics.

I highly recommend this course !