This work investigates the primary drivers and long-term trajectory of British economic growth from the mid-19th century through the post-war era. The author, R.C.O. Matthews, utilizes a rigorous analytical framework to examine the structural shifts in the British economy. By synthesizing historical data and economic theory, the text provides a comprehensive evaluation of the factors that facilitated industrial expansion and the subsequent economic performance following the Second World War.

Experts recognize this volume as a foundational text for understanding the historical mechanics of the British economy during the industrial age. Scholars frequently cite the work for its detailed statistical approach and its clear articulation of the variables influencing long-term national growth.