Were frontier land investments during the nineteenth century as unprofitable as most scholars have surmised? The history of one of the most significant land-investment firms serves as a useful case study in suggesting an answer.

A case study of two ventures undertaken by a Belgian company in Russia focuses upon several of the major problems experienced by foreign entrepreneurs under the Czars at the turn of the century.

Perhaps no American novel has cut businessmen so unremittingly as Sinclair Lewis' Babbitt. Yet at the time of its appearance in 1922 reactions were surprisingly mixed. As an introduction to the persistence of “Babbittry” in the United States — in. life as in the lexicon of invective — the passions aroused during the first decade of “George Babbitt's” life bear review.

In their debates over the functions of advertising (such as “tell versus sell” and “inform versus manipulate”), practitioners have employed various conceptualizations of the “nature” of man. Implicitly and explicitly, as Professor Curti reveals, these views also tell us much about the “nature” of American society in the twentieth century.

Were Japanese entrepreneurs of the Meiji period “community-centered” and motivated by the “samurai spirit” — as often argued? The career of Yataro Iwasaki offers a different view of Meiji entrepreneurship and government policy.

Did the doctrine of usury hamper businessmen and retard economic growth during the Middle Ages? Professor de Roover suggests an answer through examination of the conceptual modification of the doctrine in relation to banking and foreign exchange.

Railroads were unquestionably a leading sector of economic development in the American South following the Civil War. By appraising the growth strategies followed by southern roads as functions of their profitability, the authors illustrate how the supply of regional transport in the South was patterned by the decisions of competing groups of businessmen.

How well did the American business traditions of domestic “self-regulation” and foreign “dollar diplomacy” fit the economic and diplomatic environment of the Eisenhower era? Professor DiBacco suggests that the issue of foreign aid — in particular, economic assistance — provided an opportunity for articulately testing old and new business creeds.

Because of a scarcity of economically informed and managerially experienced personnel within the government, a large share of American mobilization during World War I was planned and executed by businessmen in temporary federal service. By focusing on the crucial question of military procurement, Professor Koistinen illuminates the war's legacy for government-business relationships.

Using data from nineteenth-century New England, Dr. Siegenthaler isolates a value for the most important function which drygoods marketing agencies performed for the mills they represented. His conclusions cast new light on the key role played by fashion considerations in decision making within the textile industry.

Following World War II, the American Civil Aeronautics Board was able to develop the highly uncertain air-cargo market at little risk to itself or to the Federal government. Professor Schary suggests this was because it delayed its regulatory action until after the pattern of competition in the industry had been naturally established.

In servicing the foreign-held debt of the United States during 1785–1787, public policy delegated a considerable portion of the process to private businessmen. The results certainly question the efficacy of the private conduct of public affairs in the financing of the new American nation.

In the rush to gear-up the American economy during World War I, what role did those business executives who were recruited into government service play? This study of a notable example of the “dollar-a-year man” suggests that a reciprocal learning experience on the part of both business and government was the result.

The incidence of churches as forerunners of merchant colonies in the Mediterranean is suggested in this exploratory study of medieval business and religion.

The interplay between national economic policy and private business policy in Latin America is a constant historical theme. The case of foreign-owned railroads in Argentina illustrates the road to nationalization between 1854 and 1948.

The taxonomy and utility of early American checks are suggested by Dr. Redlich and an example of their use by the customers of Stephen Girard's Bank, 1812–1834, is supplied by Mr. Christman. Readers are encouraged to comment on or supplement this first attempt at the history of an important business instrument.

In the manner of the Creole tradesmen of Louisiana, whose lagniappe to their patrons is legendary, the Editor offers a similar bonus to readers of the Review. Instead of trifling presents added to a purchase, however, our lagniappe will be notes and documents illustrative of the evolution of business enterprise.

In the manner of the Creole tradesmen of Louisiana, whose lagniappe to their patrons is legendary, the Editor offers a similar bonus to readers of the Review. Instead of trifling presents added to a purchase, however, our lagniappe will be notes and documents illustrative of the evolution of business enterprise.

To facilitate research in business history among scholars throughout the world, the Review presents the fourth in its current series of reports by our International Correspondents. It is our hope that comparative studies of common problems and the exchange of data and ideas will continue to follow.

In the manner of the Creole tradesmen of Louisiana, whose lagniappe to their patrons is legendary, the Editor offers a similar bonus to readers of the Review. Instead of trifling presents added to a purchase, however, our lagniappe will be notes and documents illustrative of the evolution of business enterprise.