The World That Trade Created: Society, Culture, and the World Economy - 1400 to the Present

by Kenneth Pomeranz, Steven Topik

Why are railroad tracks separated by the same four feet, eight inches as ancient Roman roads? How did 19th-century Europeans turn mountains of bird excrement from Peru into mountains of gold? Where has most of the world's oil come from in the 20th century? This new edition of "The World That Trade Created" reveals the answers to dozens of tantalizing questions like these. In a series of brief, highly readable vignettes the authors bring to life international trade and its actors - including migrants and merchants, pirates and privateers, sailors and slaves, traders and tree-tappers. In the process they make clear that the seemingly modern concept of economic globalization has deep historical roots. The authors also demonstrate that economic activity cannot be divorced from social and cultural contexts. This second edition provides enhanced coverage of Africa, the Middle East, and the 20th century, and features eighteen new vignettes, including two new pieces on oil.

Genres: History, Economics, Nonfiction, World History, Cultural, School, Historical

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1999

About the author

Kenneth Pomeranz (born November 4, 1958) is University Professor of History at the University of Chicago. He received his B.A. from Cornell University in 1980 and his Ph.D. from Yale University in 1988, where he was a student of Jonathan Spence. He then taught at the University of California, Irvine, for more than 20 years. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2006. In 2013-14 he was the president of the American Historical Association.

Reviews

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love economics and hate long-winded books with irrelevant graphs, this is the book for you. It's call-of-nature length sections are quick and easy to digest while imparting important tidbits about the history of trade. Moreover, the book does an excellent job of illuminating the impact of commodities on world trade and a countries development. It is historically accurate, well written, and entertaining.

One caveat: If you have a low tolerance for the constant reiteration of the fact that trade can lead to immoral outcome, this in not the book for you. The writers have a tendency to blame trade and market for these outcomes rather than explore the effects of government, politics, and culture as explanations. It is fair to point out that the demand for commodities is the initial reason for seeking out far flung lands, but to blame this demand on how it is obtained is rather shortsighted. There are other ways to obtain goods and services other than slavery, force, and addiction.

[TG Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

這是一本十分「容易接受」的書——但卻並「不好讀」。說它容易接受，是因為除了八篇各部分的前言與結論之外，絕大多是都是一則則的短篇文章，而且都有歷史上實際發生事件，並由作者加以分析連結與解讀。但說它不好讀，則是因為本書的主題太多、太龐雜，將各式各樣的貿易歷史主題全都拿來討論，以致於讀完之後似乎沒讓人得到太多的中心主旨（其實是有的）。
　
《貿易打造的世界︰社會、文化、世界經濟，從1400年到現在》這本書，由漢學家「彭慕蘭（Kenneth Pomeranz）」與專攻美洲史的「史蒂夫．托皮克（Steven Topik）」兩人合著。內文大多都是他們兩位作者在雜誌上的連載（所以如上段所示，本書內文多為短文），最後再加以整理與集結而成。若用我自己的話來說，本書的「主旨」，大概就是要用一大堆的歷史事例，來打破「歐美中心論」的意識形態︰整個「舊大陸」上的諸文明，人人都很努力認真搞發展，絕對不是歐洲民族有什麼內在優勢而打造出近現代的貿易經濟世界。此外，本書有許多內文十分痛恨「殖民經濟」，痛砭殖民經濟為了獲利而進行不人道的奴隸貿易、破壞資源只為了栽植致癮性作物或蔗糖。而當中特別有一章談到〈台灣如何能免遭蔗糖之害〉，分析角度特別令我們特別感興趣。
　
由於自己在青年結束時期的想法已逐漸轉變，我早對「民族道德史觀」嗤之以鼻。因此本書中許多對於「歐洲人好棒棒」的「除魅」，我並不覺得新鮮。反倒是，本書能提出歐洲大航海時期前後、亞洲諸文明對世界貿易繁榮的景況，我覺得這應該才是本世紀史學家需要努力整合的方向︰將史觀由歐洲中心（Eurocentrism）擴大成為真正的「世界史觀」。

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read and entertaining, but mostly for people who are not that familiar with the topic and want to learn more.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I once interviewed Kenneth Pomerantz for a TV show about Chinese inventions, and he knew what he was talking about then, and knows what he's writing about here. The book is breezy and cheeky, and the message grim to the point of catastrophe. Essentially, the world that trade created is a world of slavery and oppression--even when slavery and oppression are not the intended result (because sometimes that is the intended result). Imagine you're kicking back at a Starbucks (the authors seem to like a cup of joe, all things considered) and you suddenly realize that your macchiato is really warm blood with a little froth on top. It would make you think. Or at the very least leave a bad taste in your mouth. The basic thrust of the essays is that every bit of business over the last 600 years has destroyed tropical paradises and put non-white people in peril of their lives. Although, apparently, British railways in the interior of India prevented that region from starving at one point. So...two cheers for imperialism? Not that white people only get the froth at the top of the blood-macchiato; again and again, Europeans and Americans, the elite and the masses, push for some trade regulation that ends up backfiring, because nobody actually understands economics. It seems that, around 1400, Europeans and Asians and the people far away in Africa and the Americas had a kind of just-enough-t0-go-around-and-live-okay lifestyle, and then it was one damn thing after another. But important to know about, and all told in a nice, breezy style.

[Lauren Hakimi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess this is what happens when you try to stuff 600+ years of history into a 300-page book: It becomes a string of irrelevant and incoherent details with minimal commentary. For a 300-page book, the author should've focused on big ideas, as opposed to a bunch of small, un-insightful ideas in two-age chapters. The opening paragraph to each chapter was corny. The puns at first were cute but then it got to the point where it was unprofessional. Another thing, the author probably used the word 'unprecedented' at least fifteen times. Open up a thesaurus.

[Emily Logue]

This book was literally the bane of my existence in high school. The message is undoubtedly important, but its delivery is dry and unappealing. The book is filled with long winded stories that lead to a point that could have just as easily been expressed in a few short sentences. This book as taught me that as important as your message may be, you still have to make in sound interesting to get your audiences’ attention.

[Two-fisted History · Rating 1 out of 5]

The best thing I can say about this book was that there were some interesting stories about the development of trade the use of goods we still use today.

In the end the author's rampant revisionist tendencies and blatant anti-Western bias proved too much for me and left a decidedly sour taste. I feel that this is the least accurate historical 'non-fiction' book that I have read. It was the first book I ever wrote in, and it was solely to express my distaste with the author.

[Brendan Sweeney · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book had some interesting historical stories involving the development of trade and common goods we still use today (the history of coffee and chocolate was fascinating). Overall, however, the author's rabid revisionism towards history and blatant anti-Western bias made the work difficult to muddle through.

[David R. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quite possibly the worst book I read in the last five years. The author is plainly bitter about the way our economic history turned out and manufactures one venomous screed after another. I didn't even bother with the last 25% of the book.

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it's all essays. You can pick it up and read one section at a time to get a mini history lesson.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dense book, but fascinating. Wish it went into more detail on a lot of the topics.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will want to collect each edition

I came across this book in a used bookstore. It was nestled among exotic history books. I read the introduction and fell in love. Later I read other people's reviews and some people pointed out a few faux pas in the second edition I decided also to buy a copy in the third edition. That is when I found out that the authors changed the focus of the book to be more in the 20th century and 21st century. This book being more geared I would suppose it is a textbook needed to adjust to its potential audience. So, some articles were removed others were incorporated. I suggest if you have an earlier version keep it; however, you also need a newer edition for corrections and changes in focus.

I bought this book primarily to learn about different commodities and their trades. Many books specialize in individual commodities such as coffee, tea, and salt. There are others dedicated to plants of which I learned about Wardian Cases (Green cargoes. by Anne. Dorrance [1945]), and some dedicated to dyes such as "A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire by Amy Butler Greenfield." While gleaning this information I have come to appreciate the other aspects of this book including "society, culture, and world economy."

I assume this book is used as a textbook somewhere due to the nature of its organization. Information mostly comes from a column from "World trade magazine."

I hope you have as much fun as I have had reading this I am now working on the abbreviated bibliography and hope one day that Kenneth Pomeranz and Steven Topik will write a more in-depth book.

[Mike DeClue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the best required reading I've ever went through in high school, I don't recall if it was economics or history class, but I had to write a paper on it and I was absolutely blown away at the intricate web of connections that trade has through the different continents around the Atlantic.

There probably isn't a more extreme example of cultural shifts on trade than the Japanese ending their self
imposed exile of the world thanks to a rather intimidating navy knocking at their door, but the economic and cultural timeline this book provides gives one a glimpse into trade and produce that makes oneself yearn to go pop in civilization for a few hundred hours in the PC.

[Hasta Fu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book "The World That Trade Created: Society, Culture, and the World Economy, 1400 to the Present" by Kenneth Pomeranz and Steven Topik is a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the history of trade and its impact on the world. The book is structured around a series of vignettes, each focusing on a specific aspect of trade, such as the opium trade, piracy, or the development of international time zones. These vignettes are designed to be accessible and engaging for a broad audience, making the book suitable for both academic and general readers.

The authors take a unique approach by dividing the book into several unorthodox chapters. One of which is "The Economic Culture of Drugs", which may not only speaks about opium trade between the British and Chinese, but also chocolate coffee tobacco and chewing gum. Another is "The Economics of Violence", about pirates and buccaneers, about Ethiopia playing off the European powers against each other.

The authors also emphasized the interconnectedness of global events and the ways in which different regions and cultures have influenced one another throughout history. They also highlight the complexities and paradoxes of global trade, including how gains for some people often come at the expense of others. This nuanced perspective is particularly valuable in today's globalized world, where understanding the historical roots of economic globalization is crucial for navigating its challenges and opportunities.

The vignettes are highly readable and filled with insights and interesting facts about various aspects of trade, from the history of chewing gum to the development of rare earth metals. The authors' emphasis on the persistence of economic power in non-European areas, the importance of environmental issues in global trade, and the need for economic elites to negotiate power with other groups adds depth and context to the discussion of trade.

The book could benefit from more coverage of certain regions, such as Africa, the overall assessment is that "The World That Trade Created" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the history and impact of global trade. Its short story engaging style, interdisciplinary approach, and focus on the interconnectedness of global events make it an excellent choice for both academic and general readers.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you don't know anything about economic world history, this is a good book to expose you to the topic. It's rather long, but the format makes it easy to read small bits at a time.

Originally a series of magazine columns, this book wanders far and wide examining trade and its impact on various parts of the world. Each column is worthy of its own book, and there usually is one. There are two major themes discussed - drugs (coffee, tea, sugar, cocaine and others) and the use of violence in world trade, especially the slave trade.

[Rhett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and surprisingly informative tasting menu of the historical origins of the global inequity created by European trade. One can sit down, open the book to a random page, and read a short and concise chapter on a wide variety of topics.

What this is not is a detailed or comprehensive look at ALL of the mechanisms at work in these trade relationships, nor is it necessarily the full story. If you already have a strong understanding of the topics in this book, then this book is not for you.

[Bob Gao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every day morning while I am drinking a tea or coffee!i did not know that there was a long history behind its trading and there were wars due to them

While I was living in China I did not know that during Ming time, China was the most powerful country in the world.

While I am impressed by the Europe industrialization, I did not know that it was only since 100years ago

A great overview book on what we are eating and drinking.

[Brendan Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pomeranz and Topik write a brief history of globalization on several topics through the use of a collection of essays. Hardly comprehensive, but it's enough to find an interesting subject to explore further. Some vignettes are better written than others, and despite stated efforts unfortunately some are eurocentric in approach. Still, more hits than misses. I will be returning to this book. Highly recommend newer editions.

[Nightkid · Rating 2 out of 5]

　　閱讀時間足足跨越了二十二天，歷時之長，對我來說，也算是創紀錄的了。
　　雖然坊間對此書評價甚高，但是，我卻讀得不甚暢快，經常一天才看完三、四十頁。或者，又是我期望過高吧。
　　《貿易打造的世界》的內容描寫得不夠深入，絕對是未能吸引我的主因。
　　每一節只有短短兩、三頁，若是對歷史不了解的讀者來說，已綽綽有餘；但從我這種歷史系畢業生的眼光來看，未免太簡單……
　　綜觀全書，幾乎從開始到結束，都看到作者對石油、鴉片、甘蔗在碎碎唸……第一次、第二次還可以接受，但幾乎每章都有幾節與此相關，未免太喋喋不休了。
　　內容的高度重覆，實在令我難以一氣呵成看畢全書。

[Kip · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book. I read it in conjunction with Boorstin's "Discoverers" series, which covers similar ground. This book is a faster read but consistent with that, and has some unique insights. I enjoyed it a great deal.

[Monica Bond-Lamberty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable (helps that it comes in two page chapters) book that opens your eyes to the forces in world trade.
Students often like the section on drugs and other commodities.
However learning of the middle men is also crucial.

[Michael Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. The explanations regarding the impact of geography on trade and history were very enlightening. This book has let me to “The Silk Roads” by Peter Frankopan, which I am now reading. So much history, so little time.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

这是阅读全球史后再度这本专注贸易的历史，以全球的视角来去审视为什么西班牙和葡萄牙相继崛起成为那个大航海时代的强国背后是西班牙结束近七个世纪的伊斯兰统治回归天主教的下的宗教狂热，传教伴随着大航海时代；波托西的白银帝国带来的墨西哥比索在全球贸易中塑造的银本位，而又如何将欧洲，美洲和亚洲通过贸易网编织在一起；而这些殖民和贸易路线如何塑造了东南亚海岛和陆地国家的不同宗教信仰，带来了今日南美和非洲的乱象，澳大利亚和新西兰在殖民化下对当地生态的影响改造及如何成为今日之农产品出口国.. 精彩短篇并不难读，结合整体的全球史会更好的理解脉络

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of eye-opening stories about world trade and its impact.

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

前面三部分非常吸引人也很新颖，墨西哥的银元在中国江西流通，摩卡的起源原来来自红海边的阿拉伯城市，咖啡最早也不是基督徒的饮品。后面关于美洲的部分可能由于不熟悉，以及或许是另一个作者，感觉到前面风格完全不一样。

[Erika]

Looking forward to teaching this - succinct overview although non-chronological organization a bit confusing

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will want to collect each edition.

I came across this book in a used bookstore. It was nestled among exotic history books. I read the introduction and fell in love. Later I read other people's reviews and some people pointed out a few faux pas in the second edition. I also decided to buy a copy of the third edition. That is when I found out that the authors changed the focus of the book to be more in the 20th century and 21st century. This book being more geared I would suppose it is a textbook needed to adjust to its potential audience. So, some articles were removed others were incorporated. I suggest you have an earlier version to keep it; however, you also need a newer edition for corrections and changes in focus.

I bought this book primarily to learn about different commodities and their trades. Many books specialize in individual commodities such as coffee, tea, and salt. There are others dedicated to plants of which I learned about Wardian Cases (Green cargoes. by Anne. Dorrance [1945]), and some dedicated to dyes such as "A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire by Amy Butler Greenfield." While gleaning this information I have come to appreciate the other aspects of this book including "society, culture, and world economy."

I assume this book is used as a textbook somewhere due to the nature of its organization. Information mostly comes from a column from "World Trade magazine."

I hope you have as much fun as I have had reading this I am now working on the abbreviated bibliography and hope one day that Kenneth Pomeranz and Steven Topik will write a more in-depth book.

[Huan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat dry at points, but the fact that the book is presented in the form of a progression of essays mitigates that.

It gave me a lot more perspective on why some things are the way they are now, and why things might change and how, in the future; a key point I learned, that now seems obvious in retrospect, is that sometimes, systems and institutions weren't constructed in a logical way just to exist, as it might seem, they emerged to serve specific goals (usually profit) and gained enough power to influence the world at large.

Overall a good introduction to more recent history, examined through a lens focused towards how commercial motives influenced the development and spread of culture, which is much different from the narrative-based teachings you find in school. (Though the presentation of the facts within a narrative help to keep the book interesting.) Starting was somewhat of a struggle, but I did learn a lot.

[Robert Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Fantastic book. This sat on my shelf for years because of its dull academic trade dress. When I finally took it down last month I was first pleasantly surprised, then fascinated, and then sad to come to the end.

The book is made up of three to four page sections dedicated to the history of a particular commodity or trade route. I think the book originated as separate articles in a trade publication, but it's actually a good way to address the topic. Themes of exploitation and the importance of culture are present throughout, but each topic is deserving of distinct treatment. The book is easy to read, full of information I was not aware of, and provides a valuable perspective on the formation of the world we all live in. One of the best books I have read so far this year.

[Colin MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting, but kinda hard to digest. It's a collection of short essays, grouped loosely by topic. Each one is quick overview of a topic, so the whole is very high-density. It covers many aspects of global trade and events over a 500-year span, and without a strong organizing structure it's hard to fit it all together. Lots of good insights, anecdotes, and historical tidbits. Definitely a good starting point if you're browsing for topics to explore in depth. I'll probably keep coming back to this for reference and leads.