The contrast in the rate of growth between Western and Eastern societies since 1800 has caused Asian societies to be characterized as backward and resistant to change, though until 1600 or so certain Asian states were technologically far in advance of Europe. The Rice Economies, drawing on original source materials, examines patterns of technological and social evolution specific to East-Asian wet-rice economies in order to clarfiy some general historical trends in economic development.

Francesca Bray is Professor of Anthropology at University of California, Santa Barbara and author of Agriculture, Volume VI, part 2 in Joseph Needham's Science and Civilization in China (1984).

"A book which gives us much fascinating knowledge concerning the history and methods of rice cultivation."—Ruth McVey, Times Literary Supplement

"Highly stimulating. . . . An excellent book that should be of interest to anyone concerned with development in Asia."—Mead Cain, Population and Development Review

"This is a magnificent book, which deserves special praise for having achieved a truly exemplary balance between scholarly and practical significance."—Paul Richards, New Scientist