Neil Cummins of London School of Economics reviews “As Gods Among Men: A History of the Rich in the West” by Guido Alfani. The Econlit abstract of this book begins: “Explores the role and significance of the Western rich and superrich in history, detailing important aspects of their behavior to pinpoint patterns representing elements of continuity or change.”

The modern world is the product of two momen tous changes: the Industrial Revolution of 1800, which brought sustained efficiency advances in economies, and the Demographic Transition of 1900, which channeled those efficiency advances mainly into increased income per capita, instead of increases in population. How these revolutions were connected has been a persistent unsolved puzzle in the history of growth. The Demographic Transition was achieved without any improve ment in contraceptive technologies from those of 1800 and earlier. It was a possibility for all preindustrial societies. Why did it occur only after the Industrial Revolution? The key component of the Malthusian econ