The book begins by outlining the economic landscape of the late middle ages before exploring the process of European industrialization that began with Europe's first industrial nation, Britain. How the British model (particularly the role of the State within it) was replicated throughout Europe is examined. The reasons for the relative decline of the UK and the rise of the US and Japanese economies towards the end of the nineteenth century and the birth of global finance are explored. The economic impact of world war and revolution is assessed and the first global economic crisis investigated before Europe was plunged into war again. European reconstruction and integration is analyzed alongside the decline of Russia and the rise of the Asian economies. The book ends with an assessment of the impact of the global crash of 2007/08 and the subsequent crisis of the Eurozone. Throughout, the book reveals how the peculiarities of European civilization - its social and economic institutions and its values - triggered economic progress. That these same structures are now under threat makes Zamagni's history particularly pertinent.