This book deals with the economics of establishing a frontier by conquest or by peaceful settlement, the costs involved, and the optimum extension of the territory. The opening chapters discuss the most relevant literature about frontiers - conceptual, theoretical and empirical - and introduce the fundamental theoretical model for extending frontiers which is drawn on throughout the book. The authors use this theoretical apparatus by applying it to a number of historical cases. These include the division of the European territory between the Byzantine Empire, Islam and Western Europe, the creation and expansion of the Mongol Empire, the impact of the Black Death, the European discovery of the New World, the staples trade from 1870-1914, and the rise and fall of banditry in Brazil. The Economics of the Frontier brings together a collection of essays which explore how economically optimal frontiers were founded from sixth-century Europe through to twentieth-century Brazil.

This book deals with the economics of establishing a frontier by conquest or by peaceful settlement, the costs involved, and the optimum extension of the territory. The opening chapters discuss the most relevant literature about frontiers - conceptual, theoretical and empirical - and introduce the fundamental theoretical model for extending frontiers which is drawn on throughout the book. The authors use this theoretical apparatus by applying it to a number of historical cases. These include the division of the European territory between the Byzantine Empire, Islam and Western Europe, the creation and expansion of the Mongol Empire, the impact of the Black Death, the European discovery of the New World, the staples trade from 1870-1914, and the rise and fall of banditry in Brazil. The Economics of the Frontier brings together a collection of essays which explore how economically optimal frontiers were founded from sixth-century Europe through to twentieth-century Brazil.

International trade has shaped the modern world, yet until now no single book has been available for both economists and general readers that traces the history of the international economy from its earliest beginnings to the present day. "Power and Plenty" fills this gap, providing the first full account of world trade and development over the course of the last millennium.

Ronald Findlay and Kevin O'Rourke examine the successive waves of globalization and "deglobalization" that have occurred during the past thousand years, looking closely at the technological and political causes behind these long-term trends. They show how the expansion and contraction of the world economy has been directly tied to the two-way interplay of trade and geopolitics, and how war and peace have been critical determinants of international trade over the very long run. The story they tell is sweeping in scope, one that links the emergence of the Western economies with economic and political developments throughout Eurasia centuries ago. Drawing extensively upon empirical evidence and informing their systematic analysis with insights from contemporary economic theory, Findlay and O'Rourke demonstrate the close interrelationships of trade and warfare, the mutual interdependence of the world's different regions, and the crucial role these factors have played in explaining modern economic growth.

"Power and Plenty" is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the origins of today's international economy, the forces that continue to shape it, and the economic and political challenges confronting policymakers in the twenty-first century.

Bagpipes and Blood is set in the Highlands of Scotland and is a sequel to the novel Ghosts in the Wood. Stuart Brodie and Ryan Jones have now formed an alliance. Ryan Jones is asked by D.I Ian Brady to come out of retirement to investigate a very mysterious case. The intrepid Ryan Jones with the help of Stuart Brodie sets about trying to solve the murders which took place fifty years ago. There are, however, sinister and very dangerous people who have an interest in the case. These people have no morals whatsoever, and no mercy for anyone that gets in their way. As Ryan and Stuart dig deeper into the past things start becoming very ugly, and innocent people begin to suffer. Tensions rise and friendships are put to the test. There is gruesome scenes and moments of sadness keeping the reader engrossed and intrigued right to the very end.

Stuart Brodie is a Scottish deer stalker with a dark past. But the past doesn't stay buried and Stuart against his will becomes tangled up with drug dealers and dangerous psychopaths. Luckily Stuart has Detective Ryan Jones to help him out and soon the unlikely partners are working together against a deadly enemy. This fast paced crime thriller twists and turns from Asia to London to Scotland keeping the reader guessing to the end.