This book is essentially an exercise in methodology, addressed to economists and economic historians alike. Too many economists discover a relationship or a uniformity in economic behavior, develop a model, and use it to explain more than it is capable of, including on occasion all economic behavior. In Economic Laws and Economic History Charles Kindleberger makes a powerful case against the idea that any one model or law could be used to unlock the basic secrets of economic history.
Reviews
'This method of opening views, connecting apparently non-related things, combined with a stupendous knowledge of European economic history makes this book particularly valuable. Putting familiar things in a new context and extending narrow effects to powerful general principles is refreshing and sometimes bold.' Homo oeconomicus
