This text investigates the primary drivers of American economic growth from the 18th century to the modern era. Robert Christian Puth utilizes a framework centered on the efficient allocation of human resources to explain the nation's development. By examining historical data regarding labor mobility and individual initiative, the author argues that these factors serve as the foundational pillars of American economic success.

Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is designed for undergraduate-level study in economic history. Experts highlight this as a foundational text for students seeking to understand the intersection of human resource management and national economic growth.