Western Europe, stagnant since the fall of Rome, showed signs of economic resurgence in the mid-18th century. Adam Smith was excited by the potential of this new era, and he was inspired to study the changes in Britain's evolving political institutions, the decline in the old verities of the church, the strengthening of the eternal verities of human sympathy, the ever-widening knowledge of his age, the momentous implications of the division of labour, the power of exchange, and faster growth through capital accumulation and an expanding labour force.
 
This book presents the authentic Adam Smith and explores his underlying approach and radical thinking, aiming to re-establish his original intentions as articulated in his works and correspondence, which have been distorted by modern interpretations, assumptions and attributions. The book provides a crucial reminder of how relevant Adam Smith was in his own time, and how relevant he remains today in this era of globalisation.

Preface
General Introduction
'Sufficient proofs of his fitness'
'In the first ages'
'So weak and imperfect a creature as man'
'All the world was America'
'General principles of law'
'A certain propensity'
'Original state continued'
'At last the age of commerce'
'Setting to work industrious people'
'The fund for productive hands'
'A very violent attack'
'An invisible hand'
'Peace easy taxes and justice'
Adam Smith's Legacy

GAVIN KENNEDY is author of Adam Smith's Lost Legacy and is Emeritus Professor at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, UK. He has published widely in the negotiation process.