Book excerpt: The birth of Physiocracy was the birth of the science of economics in the broad general form in which it is known to us today. It is surprising therefore that the Physiocrats should have received so little attention from economists in the English-speaking world. This book fills that gap. The volume begins with a deliberately non-specialist introduction. Translations of Physiocratic writings then follow and the final section of the book consists of specialized essays, dealing with certain aspects of the Physiocratic doctrine, its history and its influence.