The essays in this book analyse the development of British business in the two hundred years since the Industrial Revolution. coverage of the evolution of British business is wide ranging, and includes an exploration of the conditions, both internal and external to firms, which influenced strategic decision making. The long historical perspective presented in this book is important in that it facilitates an understanding of the development of skills, work practices, social structure and attitudes, all of which have bearing on twentieth century business performance and organisation. The authors are all eminent business historians, and under the editorship of Mauric Kirby and Mary Rose, have produced a collection of essays to challenge the Chandlerian direction of thinking.