List of Illustrations ix
List of Maps xii
List of Figures xiii
Preface to the UK Edition xv

Introduction: Rasselas's Question 1

1 Competition 19
Two Rivers 20
The Eunuch and the Unicorn 26
The Spice Race 33
The Mediocre Kingdom 44
2. Science 50
The Siege 50
Micrographia 60
Osman and Fritz 71
Tanzimat Tours 85
From Istanbul to Jerusalem 90
3 Property 96
New Worlds 96
Land of the Free 103
American Revolutions 115
The Fate of the Gullahs 129
4 Medicine 141
Burke's Prophecy 142
The Juggernaut of War 157
Medecins Sans Frontieres 168
The Skulls of Shark Island 175
Black Shame 185
5 Consumption 196
The Birth of the Consumer Society 196
Turning Western 218
Ragtime to Riches 227
The Jeans Genie 240
Pyjamas and Scarves 252
6 Work 256
Work Ethic and Word Ethic 256
Get your Kicks 265
The Chinese Jerusalem 277
Lands of Unbelief 288
The End of Days? 291

Conclusion: The Rivals 295

Notes 326
Bibliography 348
Index 379