Lawrence H. Officer Books

The book presents a comprehensive analysis of balance of payments statistics for the United States from 1790 to 1919, prior to the establishment of official records. It justifies the creation of a new balance of payments table and addresses the limitations of previous data sources. Key features include innovative measurement techniques and the development of new series that highlight the economic significance of various sectors over time, such as the slave trade and manufacturing. Additionally, it generates new time series data on the movement of people, goods, funds, and services, concluding with insightful applications of the findings.

Focusing on key economic concepts, the book compiles over 50 years of research from distinguished scholar Lawrence Officer. It delves into purchasing power parity, standard of living, and monetary standards, offering a comprehensive exploration of these topics. Additionally, a unique chapter examines the intersection of economics and economic history in science fiction. This collection serves as a valuable resource for academics, students, and practitioners in the field of economics.

The book offers a historical analysis of the monetary standards in the U.S. and Britain, presenting new data on exchange rates and mint parity. It highlights the evolution of the American foreign-exchange market and demonstrates that gold-point arbitrage is more efficient than interest arbitrage or forward speculation. Additionally, it examines the stability of the 1925–1931 gold standard from the perspectives of private agents and policymakers, providing valuable insights into international monetary history and serving as a reference for dollar-sterling dynamics.