The Problems and Methods of Economic History

’Witold Kula, still too little known in the English-speaking world, was an economic historian of the utmost intelligence and distinction. The posthumous publication of a translation of his long admired Problems and Methods is therefore to be warmly welcomed.’ Eric Hobsbawm, University of London, UK ’Witold Kula was one of the most brilliant and original economic historians of his time. His lucid and acute discussions of the problems involved in doing economic history and of the methods which might be employed to solve them deserve to be widely read.’ Peter Burke, University of Cambridge, UK ’Witold Kula’s work is exceptional. Produced in very inauspicious times in the ’50s and ’60s, it shows how an independent-minded scholar can overcome adversity and appeal to a wide audience. The late Richard Szreter’s translation of this work, which is full of interesting insights, is most welcome.’ Norman Davies, University of Oxford, UK 'His book offers a dialectic between inductive and deductive methods, taking full amount of the economic 'othenwss' of past societies and their economic arrangement.' History Workshop Journal 'Kula's discussion of methods provides fascinating reading for anyone interested in the economies of the past and in the problems which historians face in attempting to understand them.' The Economics History Review