Hubert Howe Bancroft's 10-volume BOOK OF WEALTH explores the origins and influence of wealth, from the earliest civilizations to the dawn of the Twentieth Century. The books offer an in-depth look at the history of economics and finance relative to the history of the human race, and include Bancroft's extraordinary insights into the psychology of economic exchange as he examines the individuals, organizations and nations that have attained great wealth. In Book Eight, Bancroft examines the Pacific, Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent United States. He describes in detail their early exploration and settlement, and the exploitation of the mineral and other natural resources found there.The book includes extensive discussion on the origin, scope and development of art, including Bancroft's commentary and criticisms of the art and architecture of Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria, Persia, India, China and Japan.