McCloskey's second Bourgeoisie book (_Equality_? No, _Dignity_ )

or actually one of the progress books, like Hans Rosling. But for a more econ history approach, Angus Deaton's _The Great Escape_

denlillaapan

What's the best account you've come across of how living standards have changed over time?

I've always wanted to find something that detailed what regular life was like for people around the world in different eras: i.e. What kind of dwellings do they live in? With how many other people? What do they eat? What kinds of labor saving technologies do they use? etc.

My favorite book that does some of that is 1491.

BooksAndArticles

econ

Paul Seabright, Economic Life, and The (Very Natural!) Division of Labor

What's the best account you've come across of how living standards have changed over time?

I've always wanted to find something that detailed what regular life was like for people around the world in different eras: i.e. What kind of dwellings do they live in? With how many other people? What do they eat? What kinds of labor saving technologies do they use? etc.

My favorite book that does some of that is 1491.