The First Modern Economy, first published in 1997, provides a comprehensive economic history of the Netherlands during its rise to European economic leadership, the 'Golden Age', and subsequent decline (1500-1815). The authors argue that it was the first modern economy, and defend their position with detailed analyses of its major economic sectors, as well as investigations of social structure and macro-economic performance. Dutch economic history is placed in its European and world context, and inter-continental and colonial trade are discussed fully. Special emphasis is placed on the environmental context of economic growth and later decline, as well as on demographic developments. The authors also argue that the Dutch model of development and stagnation is applicable to currently maturing economies.

Jonathan Swift's classic satirical narrative was first published in 1726, seven years after Defoe's Robinson Crusoe (one of its few rivals in fame and breadth of appeal). As a parody travel-memoir it reports on extraordinary lands and societies, whose names have entered the English language: notably the minute inhabitants of Lilliput, the giants of Brobdingnag, and the Yahoos in Houyhnhnmland, where talking horses are the dominant species. It spares no vested interest from its irreverent wit, and its attack on political and financial corruption, as well as abuses in science, continue to resonate in our own times.

▌以坚实的定量数据，颠覆加州学派的大分流叙事
▌运用计量史学方法，还原300年欧亚经济演进史
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果如加州学派所说，19世纪之前，亚洲与欧洲发展不分伯仲吗？
欧洲兴起的“大爆炸”假说，能够得到定量证据支持吗？
市场力量何时取代地理环境，成为塑造人类经济活动的核心因素？
民族国家及其疆界，对贸易和经济发展有多重要？
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基于丰富的微观历史数据，讲述大分流的宏大故事，本书是经济史“用数据说话”的典范。与学术界的流行看法不同，本书认为，欧洲兴起成为世界经济的领导者，并非源于工业革命，更不能用煤炭和殖民来解释。运用17—20世纪的最新历史数据，作者令人信服地证明：大分流应该追溯到17世纪之前甚至更早。工业革命给欧洲带来了影响深远的结构变迁，确立了欧洲的世界霸权，但早在工业革命之前，欧洲已经具备明显的优越特征：更强大的交通系统，更大的贸易流，规模更大、运转更好的一体化市场，更高的生产率，以及更高的生活水平。本书主要对比的是欧洲与印度，但结论和研究方法具有普适性，也适用于其他地区。
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▌ Jan de Vries，美国经济史学会前会长——
彭慕兰《大分流》的核心论断是：欧亚大陆的主要经济体，在1800年之前，经济表现大体接近。如果该论断成立，那么小麦、稻米等基本商品市场的价格行为，也应该显示出类似的市场整合水平。施图德于是利用欧洲和印度的市场价格，来检验这一命题。运用经济学家的统计技术，施图德得出了清晰有力的结论：直到19世纪中叶以前，以任何指标度量，印度粮食市场都显示出很低的整合水平。因而，欧洲与印度之间大分流的时间，“至少要追溯到17世纪或更早”。将宏大的历史论断转化为可检验的命题，然后收集所需证据，运用相关统计方法进行合理检验——《大分流重探》是做到这一切的典范。施图德这本书是重大的贡献，应该引起历史学家的重视。
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▌ Cormac Ó Gráda, 美国经济史学会前会长——
东西方经济体之间的大分流发生于何时？这是现代经济史中的大问题。罗曼·施图德建立了一个可追溯到亚当·斯密的理论框架，结合最新数据和前沿分析，巧妙而让人信服地证明：在工业革命之前很久，西方世界商品市场的整合，就已经孵育出了高于东方的经济增长率和生活水平。
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▌ Barry Eichengreen，加州大学伯克利分校——
施图德提醒我们，加州学派考察的中国并不能代表亚洲。他的分析发现，在18世纪和19世纪，印度各地的粮价差异要大于欧洲。而地理特征是造成这种差异的重要因素，因为水运成本只是陆运成本的十分之一，而欧洲有便利货运的可通航河流和天然港口。铁路的修建的确促进了印度各地的市场整合，但那要等到19世纪中叶才会发生。施图德对数据的处理十分细致，也运用了合适的计量方法，他的结论完全令人信服。而他对欧洲和印度的两个内陆山地地区（瑞士和普纳）的对比分析，再次显示出了欧洲的优势，表明地理因素虽然重要，但也并非唯一的决定因素。
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▌ Tirthankar Roy，伦敦经济学院——
《大分流重探》聚焦于市场整合与贸易成本，将国际经济不平等的起源之争，导向了一个完全不同的方向。罗曼·施图德论述老练，统计分析严密，得出的结论让人信服。这是无可争议的大作。
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▌ Gregory Clark，加州大学戴维斯分校——
亚当·斯密的核心论点是，经济增长产生于有效率的市场。这本新锐著作复兴了斯密的传统，指出有效市场创造了增长，但有效市场仅局限于前工业时代的欧洲。这本书是重要的贡献，帮助我们理解工业革命为什么出现在西方。
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▌ Anand V. Swamy，威廉姆斯学院——
《大分流重探》的论述始于亚当·斯密的一个直观洞察：市场整合促进了经济增长。基于这个洞察，施图德比较了1600—1900年之间欧洲和印度的市场整合。施图德有力地指出：体积大、价值低的商品价格，在不同地区之间的趋同，能够反映市场的整合水平。施图德研究的是粮食市场，他运用一系列统计技术，考查了市场之间的价格联动，以及当冲击发生时，不同市场间的价格比率回归至长期水平的速度。全书证据确凿地表明：早在工业革命开始之前很久，印度的市场整合水平就落后于欧洲。
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▌ Pim de Zwart，瓦格宁根大学——
现代经济增长为什么发端于西方？施图德的《大分流重探》是对解答这个历史之谜的一个重大贡献。基于坚实的经验证据和严谨的统计技术，施图德有力地证明：更有效率、更加整合的商品市场，是欧洲领先的原因。本作毫无疑问将会对大分流之争产生持续影响。任何对这一争论感兴趣的人，《大分流重探》都值得一读。这本书文笔优美，条理清楚，是进入市场整合文献，以及从大分流角度探讨欧洲和印度经济史的文献的窗口。
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▌ Bishnupriya Gupta，华威大学——
施图德的研究对象，是亚洲两大经济体中的印度，试图回答这样一个问题：欧洲和印度之间的大分流，能够从市场整合中找到起源吗？基于这两个地区粮价的全新数据集，以两个市场间的距离作为解释因子，施图德对不同市场之间价格的相关性进行了统计检验。这样的经验分析表明：早在17世纪，欧洲就有了更大面积整合的区域性市场；而印度各地的市场一直是相互割裂的，价格之间的相关性，也仅仅局限在短距离的市场之间，这一状况一直延续到19世纪晚期铁路时代的到来。这本书是对大分流和市场整合文献的重要贡献，也是第一本将印度纳入大分流之争的学术研究。
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▌ Joshua Sooter，纽约大学——
加州学派认为欧亚之间的大分流发生得相对较晚，且是由生态和地理上的偶然因素造成的。但最近一些学者，利用印度次大陆的数据，挑战了这种观点。施图德的《大分流重探》是其中的代表作。施图德对欧洲与印度的粮食价格，包括印欧内部各地粮价的相对趋同，进行了定量分析，据此比较了欧洲和印度的市场整合水平。施图德的分析证明，瑞士与欧洲粮食市场的整合度，分别要高于西高止山脉地区与整个印度次大陆的整合度，因而瑞士享有越来越大的经济繁荣，而西高止山脉地区“市场的特点是规模小且相互隔绝，这种局面一直持续到19世纪中叶”。

With over 225,000 copies in print, DK's Big Ideas series has struck a chord with readers fascinated-but also intimidated-by complex subjects like philosophy, psychology, politics, and religion.
The newest title in this successful and acclaimed series is The Science Book, an inventive visual take on astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. With eye-catching artwork, step-by-step diagrams, and illustrations that break down complicated ideas into manageable concepts, The Science Book will have readers conversant in genetic engineering, black holes, and global warming in no time. Along the way are found mini-biographies of the most well-known scientists, and a glossary of helpful scientific terms.
For students, and students of the world, there is no better way to explore the fascinating, strange, and mysterious world of science than in The Science Book.

Precise dynamic models of processes are required for many applications, ranging from control engineering to the natural sciences and economics. Frequently, such precise models cannot be derived using theoretical considerations alone. Therefore, they must be determined experimentally. This book treats the determination of dynamic models based on measurements taken at the process, which is known as system identification or process identification. Both offline and online methods are presented, i.e. methods that post-process the measured data as well as methods that provide models during the measurement. The book is theory-oriented and application-oriented and most methods covered have been used successfully in practical applications for many different processes. Illustrative examples in this book with real measured data range from hydraulic and electric actuators, machine tools, industrial robots, pumps, vehicles to combustion engines. Real experimental data is also provided on the Springer webpage, allowing readers to gather their first experience with the methods presented in this book.
Among others, the book covers the following subjects: determination of the nonparametric frequency response, (fast) Fourier transform, correlation analysis, parameter estimation with a focus on the method of Least Squares and modifications, identification of time-variant processes, identification in closed-loop, identification of continuous time processes, and subspace methods. Some methods for nonlinear system identification are also considered, such as the Extended Kalman filter and neural networks. The different methods are compared by using a real three-mass oscillator process, a model of a drive train. For many identification methods, hints for the practical implementation and application are provided. The book is intended to meet the needs of students and practicing engineers working in research and development, design and manufacturing.

A compelling and ground-breaking piece of narrative journalism that gets right to the heart of divided Britain and its dysfunctional jobs climate.
We all define ourselves by our profession - at least to some extent. But what if our job was demeaning, poorly paid, and tedious? Cracking open Britain's divisions - immigrant/British, North/South, urban/rural, working class/middle class, leave/remain - journalist James Bloodworth spends six months living and working across Britain, taking on the country's worst jobs. He lives on the meagre proceeds and discovers the anxieties and hopes of those he encounters, including working-class British, young students striving to make ends meet, and Eastern European immigrants.
Reminiscent of Orwell's Road to Wigan Pier, this is a fascinating window onto a world that Britain's London-centric media rarely visits. From the Staffordshire Amazon warehouse to the taxi-cabs of Uber, Bloodworth uncovers horrifying employment practices and shows how traditional working-class communities have been decimated by the move to soulless service jobs with no security, advancement or satisfaction. But this is more than an exposé of unscrupulous employers; this is a gripping examination of post-Brexit Britain, a divided nation which needs to understand the true reality of how other people live and work, before it can heal.
"Potent, disturbing and revelatory... [Bloodworth] sets out to see something we should know more about than we do, and he tells the story of what he found well. —Evening Standard
"A very discomforting book, no matter what your politics might be... very good" —Sunday Times
"Grim but necessary reading... Theresa May should horrify [Bloodworth] by picking up a copy of Hired and learning from it." —Spectator
"An extraordinary and unsettling journey into the way modern Britons work. It is Down and Out In Paris and London for the gig economy age." —Matthew d'Ancona, Guardian columnist and bestselling author of Post-Truth
"Exceptional... Bloodworth is the best young left wing writer Britain has produced in years." —Observer
"Unflinching... a refreshing antidote to the fashionable post-work these written from steel-and-ivory towers. —Prospect
"A wake-up call to us all. A very graphic and authentic journey exposing the hard and miserable working life faced by too many people living in Britain today." —Margaret Hodge, MP, former Chair, Public Accounts Committee
"Whatever you think of the political assertions in this book - and I disagree with many of them - this is an important investigation into the reality of low-wage Britain. Whether you are on the Right, Left or Centre, anybody who believes in solidarity and social justice should read this book." —Nick Timothy, former Chief of Staff to Theresa May
"I emerged from James Bloodworth's quietly devastating and deeply disturbing book convinced that the 'gig economy' is simply another way in which the powerful are enabled to oppress the disadvantaged" —D. J. Taylor, author of Orwell: The Biography
"A truly devastating examination of the vulnerable human underbelly of Britain's labour market, shining a bright light on the unjust and exploitative practices that erode the morale and living standards of working-class communities." —Frank Field, MP

Broken Lives is a gripping account of the twentieth century as seen through the eyes of ordinary Germans who came of age under Hitler and whose lives were scarred and sometimes destroyed by what they saw and did.
Drawing on six dozen memoirs by the generation of Germans born in the 1920s, Konrad Jarausch chronicles the unforgettable stories of people who not only lived through the Third Reich, World War II, the Holocaust, and Cold War partition, but also participated in Germany's astonishing postwar recovery, reunification, and rehabilitation. Written decades after the events, these testimonies, many of them unpublished, look back on the mistakes of young people caught up in the Nazi movement. In many, early enthusiasm turns to deep disillusionment as the price of complicity with a brutal dictatorship--fighting at the front, aerial bombardment at home, murder in the concentration camps--becomes clear.
Bringing together the voices of men and women, perpetrators and victims, Broken Lives reveals the intimate human details of historical events and offers new insights about persistent questions. Why did so many Germans support Hitler through years of wartime sacrifice and Nazi inhumanity? How did they finally distance themselves from this racist dictatorship and come to embrace human rights? Jarausch argues that this generation's focus on its own suffering, often maligned by historians, ultimately led to a more critical understanding of national identity--one that helped transform Germany from a military aggressor into a pillar of European democracy.
The result is a powerful account of the everyday experiences and troubling memories of average Germans who journeyed into, through, and out of the abyss of a dark century.

“When this book was first published it received some attention from the critics but none at all from the public. Nazism was finished in the bunker in Berlin and its death warrant signed on the bench at Nuremberg.”
That’s Milton Mayer, writing in a foreword to the 1966 edition of They Thought They Were Free. He’s right about the critics: the book was a finalist for the National Book Award in 1956. General readers may have been slower to take notice, but over time they did—what we’ve seen over decades is that any time people, across the political spectrum, start to feel that freedom is threatened, the book experiences a ripple of word-of-mouth interest. And that interest has never been more prominent or potent than what we’ve seen in the past year.
They Thought They Were Free is an eloquent and provocative examination of the development of fascism in Germany. Mayer’s book is a study of ten Germans and their lives from 1933-45, based on interviews he conducted after the war when he lived in Germany. Mayer had a position as a research professor at the University of Frankfurt and lived in a nearby small Hessian town which he disguised with the name “Kronenberg.” “These ten men were not men of distinction,” Mayer noted, but they had been members of the Nazi Party; Mayer wanted to discover what had made them Nazis. His discussions with them of Nazism, the rise of the Reich, and mass complicity with evil became the backbone of this book, an indictment of the ordinary German that is all the more powerful for its refusal to let the rest of us pretend that our moment, our society, our country are fundamentally immune.
A new foreword to this edition by eminent historian of the Reich Richard J. Evans puts the book in historical and contemporary context. We live in an age of fervid politics and hyperbolic rhetoric. They Thought They Were Free cuts through that, revealing instead the slow, quiet accretions of change, complicity, and abdication of moral authority that quietly mark the rise of evil.

Globalisierung beginnt nicht erst in der Gegenwart. Sie hat sich über mehrere Jahrhunderte hinweg entfaltet. Das Buch beschreibt die Vielfalt der wirtschaftlichen, politischen und kulturellen Prozesse, die heute unter dem Begriff der Globalisierung zusammengefaßt werden. Es befaßt sich mit deren Ursachen und Auswirkungen, Rhythmen und Reichweiten.

Metternich – sein Name steht für das Zeitalter der Restauration, das monarchische Prinzip und den Versuch, den liberalen und nationalen Kräften des 19. Jahrhunderts Einhalt zu gebieten. Doch der Fürst, der rund vier Jahrzehnte lang zu den beherrschenden Gestalten Europas gehörte, war mehr als nur ein Reaktionär. Wolfram Siemann zeigt, dass der Gegenspieler Napoleons und Architekt der europäischen Friedensordnung nach dem Wiener Kongreß von 1815 mehr als bislang aus seiner Zeit heraus verstanden werden muss und in vielem moderner war als das bis heute gängige Bild von ihm vermuten lässt.

Edmund Curtis's remarkable survey of Ireland, from its earliest origins to the twentieth century, is a classic introduction to Ireland's fascinating history. Reaching from St. Patrick's Mission in 432 to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1922, this authoritative text explores the formative events of Ireland's past and encompasses the Norman invasion, Gaelic recovery, Cromwell's Settlement, the Act of Union and the Great Famine. Lucid and scholarly, this all-embracing account unfolds the events of Ireland's history and the story of its people, through an examination of their political, religious, social, economic and cultural past. Ireland's unique history is revealed here through the 'moving forces, the deciding facts, and the men who mattered'. Featuring a chronology of key dates in Irish history and a guideline to the pronunciation of Irish names, this celebrated narrative now includes a new introduction by Sean Duffy.