The third edition of An Economic History of Europe builds on a well-established foundation. Originally written by Karl Gunnar Persson, the book has long offered a concise and engaging introduction to the economic development of Europe over the long run. This new edition continues in that spirit, but reflects changes both in the world and in how we teach and learn economic history.

Tragically, Gunnar passed away during the process of revising the text. His clarity of thought, elegant writing, and commitment to making economic reasoning accessible to students remain visible throughout the book. It has been an honour to carry the project forward, and to complete it in collaboration with Markus Lampe. Markus brings new strengths in the history of trade and globalisation, and our collaboration has enriched the text in both content and perspective.

We have significantly expanded the book’s chronological scope. We reach back into prehistory, exploring the transition to agriculture and ancient civilizations. This long-run view gives students a stronger sense of continuity and transformation, and provides a more robust platform for understanding how technological and institutional change interact with environmental constraints. At the other end of the timeline, the book now extends to the present, covering events such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the more subtle changes in this edition is the reduced centrality of globalisation as a driving theme. While Europe’s integration into the global economy remains an important part of the story, we now give more space to internal developments, regional divergence, and the role of domestic institutions and political choices. This rebalancing reflects both the recent turn in scholarship and a desire to offer a broader framework for understanding Europe’s development path.

Thus, the final chapter of the book takes a somewhat different tone from previous editions. Rather than concluding with perspectives on globalization, it reflects on both the successes and the costs of development. It celebrates the dramatic improvements in wealth, health, and welfare in general that have occurred in much of Europe, while also acknowledging persistent challenges: inequality, environmental degradation, demographic change, and political instability. The aim is to give students both a critical sense of humanity’s achievement and the analytical tools to think about what development has meant – and what it might mean in the future.

Pedagogically, the third edition is designed to be even more useful in the classroom. Each chapter now includes clearly defined learning points to help students navigate the material. We’ve introduced new text boxes to explore key debates, illustrative examples, or methodological issues, offering greater flexibility for instructors and more entry points for students. At the same time, we’ve kept to the principles that made the original so effective: a structure which is both chronological and thematic, intuitive explanations, and minimal use of formal mathematics.

To further support teaching and learning, we provide a range of updated online materials, including lecture slides, sample questions, and other resources designed to make the textbook easier to integrate into a variety of courses. These materials reflect our experience in the classroom and our conversations with colleagues across disciplines.

Writing this new edition has been a collaborative and reflective process. It has deepened our own understanding of Europe’s economic history and renewed our commitment to teaching it. We hope the result is a book that continues to serve students, instructors, and readers for years to come.

An Economic History of Europe, 3rd ed. will publish in September 2025. Visit our website to request an exam copy or to learn more about the book.