Book excerpt: The Taiwan economy has undergone a successful transition in the post-war period-transition from agricultural to industrial, from traditional to modem, and from backward to advanced economy. This book explores and illuminates broad dimensions of the transition growth of the Taiwan economy for the period 1951-81. It deals in depth with all major aspects: key issues of the early period; labor absorption and income distribution; trade, prices and external shocks; technical change; and economic policies. The coverage of these topics is extensive, so as to give readers a comprehensive outlook of the development of Taiwan after the Second World War.