Volume III investigates what Braudel terms "world-economies"—the economic dominance of a particular city at different periods of history, from Venice to Amsterdam, London, New York.

"The appearance of The Perspective of the World by Fernand Braudel in the fine English translation of Siân Reynolds completes the trilogy, 'Civilization and Capitalism,' begun in 1955 and published in French in 1979. These three volumes represent the mature and sovereign work of their author. . . the capstone of an unusually productive life."—Eric R. Wolf, New York Times Book Review

"An extraordinary achievement, which will give historians matter for discussion for years to come. . . . Braudel's range of information is fantastic, his curiosity insatiable, his speculations endless."—Christopher Hill, New Statesman

"This book is alive, not only with the author's lightly worn learning and urbane style but with his human sympathies . . . and his acute awareness of contemporary analogies."—Economist