The Birth of Plenty

The Birth of Plenty by William Bernstein was the subject of a book review at Efficient Market Canada last December. The book "Explores the notion that the four factors which led to modern prosperty were property rights, scientific rationalism, efficient transportation/communication, and advanced capital markets." It covers not only the period from the 1820's on, but also some of the major developments in the 1600's and before. I haven't read it, but it sounds interesting.