The author clearly demonstrates the relevance of past events to contemporary options for coping with economic change, and stresses the importance of the biophysical environment, even in "postindustrial" societies. The Global Economic System demonstrates the reality and significance of contemporary global economic interdependencies, and indicates that environmental and cultural/historical perspectives are crucial to understanding the evolution of national and regional economies. The book will be a key text for undergraduate students of economic geography, and will also serve the needs of courses in international affairs, global political economy, and development studies.