The Wealth and Poverty of Nations, written by David Landes and published in 1998, provides a contentious take on the reason behind Europe’s economic take-off by the end of the Middle Ages. Through a comparative approach, Landes boldly claimed that historically unique cultural values of curiosity, novelty, and property protection empowered European society and propelled it to global dominance. Tune in to this episode of Inkling and find out whether you should read Landes. (An Easter egg awaits at the very end.)