The Enlightened Economy: Britain and the Industrial Revolution, 1700-1850

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'It is impossible to do justice to the subtlety and detail of The Enlightened Economy; it is the product of a lifetime of research and thought, and stands as a landmark work of history' Trevor Butterworth, Wall Street Journal What made Western countries become so much wealthier than the rest of the world? What explains the huge rise in incomes during the Industrial Revolution - and why did Britain lead the way? Joel Mokyr's landmark history offers a new perspective for understanding Britain's economic transformation during the Industrial Revolution, showing how intellectual, rather than material, forces were the driving force behind it. While empire, trade, resources and other factors all played a part, it was above all the creative ferment of the Enlightenment that influenced the economic behaviour of thinkers, inventors, entrepreneurs and artisans - and took Britain into the modern era. 'Everyone interested in history should read this great work' George A. Akerlof, Nobel Laureate and Koshland Professor of Economics, University of California at Berkeley 'Lucid and elegant . . . One of the most interesting though controversial books this year' Linda Colley, BBC History, Books of the Year 'A major accomplishment' Douglass C. North, Nobel Laureate and Professor of Economics, University of Chicago 'The best introduction to the British Industrial Revolution' History Today 'A splendid achievement' Edward Glaeser, New Republic

Joel Mokyr is the author of several major works of economic history, including The Lever of Riches (1992) and The Gifts of Athena (2002). He teaches at Northwestern University and at Tel Aviv University.

He buttresses his argument with deep knowledge of the times and massive scholarship. Everyone interested in history should read this great work. -- George A. Akerlof * University of California at Berkeley * A great economic historian gives us a sweeping perspective on a pivotal period of history: Britain during the Industrial Revolution. Tracing a long series of economic innovations and political reforms back to the ideas of the Enlightenment, Joel Mokyr shows us the foundations of the modern world. -- Roger B. Myerson * University of Chicago * Mokyr utilises deep knowledge of technological and industrial history, often narrated at the level of the individual inventor, thinker, factory owner or craftsman...[He] narrates brilliantly a rich story of modern economic growth.... Mokyr has made a deeply impressive contribution. -- David Greasley * BBC History * This is a large, learned and challenging book ... [which] anyone interested in history and the current economy needs to read -- Maxine Berg * TLS *