The First Modern Economy provides a comprehensive economic history of the Netherlands during its rise to European economic leadership, the 'Golden Age', and subsequent decline (1500–1815). The authors argue that it was the first modern economy, and defend their position with detailed analyses of its major economic sectors, as well as investigations of social structure and macro-economic performance. Dutch economic history is placed in its European and world context, and inter-continental and colonial trade are discussed fully. Special emphasis is placed on the environmental context of economic growth and later decline, as well as on demographic developments. The authors also argue that the Dutch model of development and stagnation is applicable to currently maturing economies.

The joint winners of the highly prestigious Gyorgi Ranki prize of the Economic History Association for the best books in European Economic History published in 1997 or 1998

"In this impressive volume, de Vries and van der Woude have given English-speaking scholars what is sure to be the definitive account of the early modern Dutch economy for years to come." Anne E. C. McCants, Jrnl of Interdisciplinary History

"This book presents an intellectually ambitious argument with admirable clarity, the many separate pieces well worked out individually, and well integrated into the larger picture. There are now a number of books on the early modern Dutch economy,...but none to compare with this one in its broad sweep and the internal coherence of its basic argument. It must be the starting point for all subsequent discussion." James D. Tracy, Sixteenth Century Journal

"This excellent book on the Dutch economy in the period, published first in Dutch (in 1995) and now available in English in a somewhat revised version, can be considered to be high point in this re-evaluation of the period before 1800. ...the book will certainly become a classic, one which will dominate the historiography of Dutch economic history for a long time to come." Jan Luiten van Zanden, The International History Review

"This book represents an integration of many schools of thought, of academic disciplines, and of a vast body of material into a coherent whole." N.J.G. Pounds, American Historical Review

"...this monumental work shows how useful economic history, when properly integrated with social and political history, can be comprehending how the world functioned in the past." Richard W. Unger, Journal of Modern History