Trade has defined relationships between cultures and countries from prehistoric times to the present. From the caravans of the ancient world, to the search for new trade routes during the age of discovery, to the development of interconnected markets and the global economy, trade has been a defining force in world history. This exhaustive four-volume set is the definitive reference on the history of trade in all time periods. It traces the historical and contemporary interaction of trade, commerce, and culture in fascinating detail.