Written by David N. Weil of Brown University, one of the top researchers in the field, this textbook is intended for undergraduate courses in economic growth, and it also will be of interest to instructors teaching courses on economic development and intermediate macroeconomics. In essence, the book examines the interesting question of why some countries are rich and some are poorwhy they differ in their levels of income and their rates of economic growth. The book is richly empirical and it features authoritative, up-to-date coverage reflecting the most important findings of contemporary research. Engagingly written, it presents a wealth of colorful examples, details, and anecdotes.