In European Urbanization Jan de Vries provides a comprehensive data base for understanding the nature of the changes that took place in European cities from 1500 to 1800. The book is based on an immense systematic survey of the population history of 379 European cities with 10,000 or more inhabitants analysed at fifty-year intervals. Using a wide range of economic, demographic and geographic models, Professor de Vries illustrates the patterns of urban growth, draws conclusions about the significance of migratory behaviour and shows the effects of urbanization on the history of Europe as a whole. Presenting these broad measures in urbanization the book makes the case that the cities of Europe gradually came to form a single urban system. The properties of this system are analysed with the use of several different geographical concepts: rank-size distribution, transition matrices and potential surfaces, among others. This examination of the fortunes of cities of different sizes and regions and the economic and political factors that affected their development is fundamentally important for understanding modern Europe and contemporary problems of urban development. Jan de Vries mines these rich, complex data to give us a balanced view of the dynamics of change in urban, pre-industrial society. This book was first published in 1984.

A comprehensive economic history of The Netherlands during its rise to European economic leadership, which argues that this was the first modern economy. This position is defended with detailed analyses of the major economic sectors and investigations into social structure and macro-economic performance. Dutch economic history is placed in its European and world context. Inter-continental and colonial trade are discussed fully. Special emphasis is placed on the environmental context and demographic developments.

Do your students find psychology difficult to engage with or want a textbook that is easy to read? Would they benefit from a textbook that demonstrates how psychology applies to nursing? Right from the start of their programme it is crucial for nursing students to understand the significance of psychology in nursing. This book helps students recognise why they need to know about psychology, how it can affect and influence their individual nursing practice as well as the role it plays in health and illness. Written in clear, easy to follow language and with each chapter linking to relevant NMC Standards and Essentials Skills Clusters it simplifies the key theory and puts the discipline of psychology into context for nursing students, with clear examples and case studies used throughout. Transforming Nursing Practice is a series tailor made for pre-registration student nurses. Each book in the series is: * Affordable * Mapped to the NMC Standards and Essential Skills Clusters * Focused on applying theory to practice * Full of active learning features 'The set of books is an excellent resource for students. The series is small, easily portable and valuable. I use the whole set on a regular basis.' - Fiona Davies, Senior Nurse Lecturer, University of Derby

In the long eighteenth century, new consumer aspirations combined with a new industrious behavior to fundamentally alter the material cultures of northwest Europe and North America. This "industrious revolution" is the context in which the economic acceleration associated with the Industrial Revolution took shape. This study explores the intellectual understanding of the new importance of consumer goods as well as the actual consumer behavior of households of all income levels. De Vries examines how the activation and evolution of consumer demand shaped the course of economic development, situating consumer behavior in the context of the household economy. He considers the changing consumption goals of households from the seventeenth century to the present and analyzes how household decisions have mediated between macro-level economic growth and actual human betterment. Ultimately, de Vries' research reveals key strengths and weaknesses of existing consumer theory, suggesting revisions that add historical realism to economic abstractions.

An analytical and interpretive history written by a practitioner of the `new economic history' for undergraduates and general readers. Topics include development of agriculture, industry, foreign and regional trade, urbanization and economic growth.

In the long eighteenth century, new consumer aspirations combined with a new industrious behavior to fundamentally alter the material cultures of northwest Europe and North America. This 'industrious revolution' is the context in which the economic acceleration associated with the Industrial Revolution took shape. This study explores the intellectual understanding of the new importance of consumer goods as well as the actual consumer behavior of households of all income levels. De Vries examines how the activation and evolution of consumer demand shaped the course of economic development, situating consumer behavior in the context of the household economy. He considers the changing consumption goals of households from the seventeenth century to the present and analyzes how household decisions have mediated between macro-level economic growth and actual human betterment. Ultimately, de Vries' research reveals the strengths and weaknesses of existing consumer theory, suggesting revisions that add historical realism to economic abstractions.

A comprehensive economic history of The Netherlands during its rise to European economic leadership, which argues that this was the first modern economy. This position is defended with detailed analyses of the major economic sectors and investigations into social structure and macro-economic performance. Dutch economic history is placed in its European and world context. Inter-continental and colonial trade are discussed fully. Special emphasis is placed on the environmental context and demographic developments.

A prime contemporary concern - how to maintain fair market relations - is addressed through this study of the regulation of bread prices. This was the single most important economic reality of Europe's daily life in the early modern period. Jan de Vries uses the Dutch Republic as a case study of how the market functioned and how the regulatory system evolved and acted. The ways in which consumer behaviour adapted to these structures, and the state interacted with producers and consumers in the pursuit of its own interests, had major implications for the measurement of living standards in this period. The long-term consequences of the Dutch state's interventions reveal how capitalist economies, far from being the outcome of unfettered market economics, are inextricably linked with regulatory fiscal regimes. The humble loaf serves as a prism through which to explore major developments in early modern European society and how public market regulation affected private economic life.

Securitisation has survived the threats that emerged in the aftermath of the collapses of Enron, WorldCom, and Parmalat. Today, global securitisation markets continue to go from strength to strength, particularly as regards the evolution of new synthetic structures and the application of securitisation technology to fresh asset classes. This Yearbook focuses on the latest innovations in securitisation, including the securitisation of derivatives and alternative asset classes, and also exotic variations on the securitisation of well-established asset classes. Twenty-nine distinguished authors all of them active in the global securitisation markets as advisers, structurers, facilitators, or regulators brilliantly elucidate such topics as the following: synthetic squares as an effective means of arbitrage securitisation; collateralised debt obligations from a ratings perspective; use of, and potential for, synthetic securitisation in Germany and Italy; weather derivatives; use of equity derivatives as alternatives to credit risk; securitisation of alternative asset classes in Japan and the United States; covered bonds in a variety of European jurisdictions; new types of commercial mortgage backed securities; securitisation of non-performing tax receivables as an example of public sector securitisation; and securitisation structures in the Islamic regulatory and legal framework. The complex and sometimes controversial issues of documentation are well covered, as are all significant legal and regulatory issues. Three concluding essays detail the recent changes in accountancy fuelled by perceived abuse of existing regulations, and the revised framework for capital adequacy formulated by the Basel Committee. The Yearbook provides detailed information on the legal structure of innovative securitisations as well as recent developments in the accounting and regulatory treatment of securitisations. For legal advisers, investors, and regulators, there is no more useful guide to current and emerging trends and opportunities in securitisation.

Do your students find psychology difficult to engage with or want a textbook that is easy to read? Would they benefit from a textbook that demonstrates how psychology applies to nursing? Right from the start of their programme it is crucial for nursing students to understand the significance of psychology in nursing. This book helps students recognise why they need to know about psychology, how it can affect and influence their individual nursing practice as well as the role it plays in health and illness. Written in clear, easy to follow language and with each chapter linking to relevant NMC Standards and Essentials Skills Clusters it simplifies the key theory and puts the discipline of psychology into context for nursing students, with clear examples and case studies used throughout. Transforming Nursing Practice is a series tailor made for pre-registration student nurses. Each book in the series is: * Affordable * Mapped to the NMC Standards and Essential Skills Clusters * Focused on applying theory to practice * Full of active learning features 'The set of books is an excellent resource for students. The series is small, easily portable and valuable. I use the whole set on a regular basis.' - Fiona Davies, Senior Nurse Lecturer, University of Derby

In Neck and Back Problems Jan de Vries deals with many of the most common problems relating to the spine. Drawing on his own vast experience of helping patients overcome their suffering and on various case histories, this book contains practical advice for those millions who endure the agony of backache. Simple exercises and remedies are outlined, together with proven hints towards self-treatment. Slipped discs, tennis elbow, 'whiplash', bursitis and problems with vertigo are all discussed in layman's terms. Neck and Back is a veritable treasure trove of information from one of the world's leading practitioners in this field.