The subject of The Wheels of Commerce is the development of mechanisms of exchange—shops, markets, trade networks, and banking—in the pre-industrial stages of capitalism.

"Magisterial, compelling, superbly written. . . . An immensely readable narrative of the emergence of capitalism, of the societies that it shaped, and of its profound ongoing effect on human character."—Richard E. Nicholls, Philadelphia Inquirer

"The intricacy of detail and boldness of hypothesis in this book are indisputable, and if one is to do more than skim it, it demands and repays enormous attention. . . . The lavish illustrations are superbly well chosen. The pictures show the endless variety of commercial dealings of which humans are capable."—Jonathan Spence, New York Times Book Review