This masterful work explores the intersection of the worlds of Islam (including South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and East Africa) and the European economy (particularly the seafaring
Portuguese, Dutch, and British) on the eve of the modern world system. It centrally addresses current debates on the nature of the early modern world, and it is likely to become a pillar of the
emerging literature that has begun to recast our understanding of the history of Asia. The author underlines the early predominance of Asia in the world economy and demonstrates the long and
deep ties between European and Asian economic and military developments.
