'This important new book could scarcely be better timed. Appearing just as Burma itself is emerging from decades of effective isolation from much of the world, Ian Brown's account of Burma's economic travails is both a significant historical work, and a highly valuable contribution to understanding the country's current (and future) problems and possibilities. A book of immense scholarship worn lightly, Burma's economy in the Twentieth Century will prove a seminal contribution to a country that may yet escape the shackles of its past.' Sean Turnell, Macquarie University. 'Burma's economy in the twentieth century is a comprehensive analysis of that increasingly important country. It comes at an opportune time when foreign companies are considering investing there. By providing an historical overview and background that is a major contribution to the burgeoning literature on Burma, professor brown has informed those in policy positions, potential investors in the private sector, and the academic community. The volume will also be a welcome text for courses on Burma and is highly recommended.' David Steinberg, distinguished professor of Asian studies, Georgetown University