Norman John Greville Pounds Book order

Focusing on the evolution of the European economy and its infrastructure from the second century to 1500, this book offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the subject. Professor Pounds skillfully navigates various controversies while adding a human perspective to complex topics. The text covers all of continental Europe, with an in-depth look at Eastern Europe. This new edition, the first in two decades, features updated text and bibliography, along with a redesigned layout for improved readability.

Focusing on the development of medieval towns, this book explores their evolution into vital trade and liberty hubs. It examines the impact of the Roman Empire on urban life, city governance, and the role of the church. Key themes include urban crafts, health, and welfare, enriched by annotated primary documents like the Domesday Book and vivid sketches of street life. Extended biographical sketches of towns and residents offer deeper insights, while 26 maps, illustrations, and supplementary materials enhance the reader's understanding of the period.

The central theme of this book is the changing spatial pattern of human activities during the last 2,500 years of Europe's history. Professor Pounds argues that three factors have determined the locations of human activities: the environment, the attitudes and forms of social organization of the many different peoples of Europe and lastly, the levels of technology. Within the broad framework of the interrelationships of environment, society and technology, several important themes pursued from the fifth century BC to the early twentieth century: settlement and agriculture, the growth of cities, the development of manufacturing and the role of trade. Underlying each of these themes are the discussions of political organization and population. Although the book is based in part of Professor Pound's magisterial three volumes An Historical Geography of Europe (1977, 1980, 1985), it was written especially for students and readers interested in a general survey of the subject.