David Waldner's book is an impressive contribution to the debate over economic growth and development in late-developing countries.- Derek Hall (Millennium: Journal of International Studies) Waldner demonstrates in a masterly way the benefits of genuine comparative inquiry; contributes to our understanding of the painful results of economic development in the Middle East; and uses Middle Eastern cases to advance our understanding of the complicated and mediated linkage between state formation and economic development. This ambitious book deserves a wide audience.- Michael Barnett, University of Wisconsin, Madison (International Journal of Middle East Studies) Waldner's book makes an important contribution to Middle East area studies and the literature on development in general, thanks to its elegant rebuttal of monocausal arguments.... This book provides an important step forward in the study of comparative politics. It is a rare attempt to combine multiple variables into a sophisticated yet eloquent model that addresses important issues in the Middle East and developing world.- Saime Ozcurumez, McGill University (Canadian Journal of Political Science) A compelling argument... Clearly written and carefully argued.(Choice) This is an ambitious project; it tells of the origins of institutions and success of strategies for economic development.... The argument is provocative, erudite, and wide-ranging; it will appeal to social scientists interested in learning more about how Middle East countries look in comparison to those of East Asia.- Ellis Goldberg, Princeton University (Political Science Quarterly)