This book investigates the primary sources available for understanding European economic history between 1500 and 1800. Dr. Charles Wilson, a noted economic historian, draws upon his extensive research to guide readers through the complexities of historical documentation from this pivotal era. The work examines the types of records that survive, their inherent biases, and the methodologies required to interpret them effectively for scholarly purposes.

As a foundational text in the study of early modern European economic history, this book is recognized for its rigorous approach to source criticism. Scholars have consistently relied on Wilson's work for its detailed examination of the types of evidence available and the critical methods needed to interpret them. The book is valued for its clarity in outlining the challenges and opportunities presented by historical economic documentation from the period.