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 NINE, Bancroft examines the Southern and Central United States, with special emphasis on Chicago and its surrounding area, one of the most important parts of America - perhaps the entire world - according to Bancroft. He includes biographies of the men (and a few women) responsible for the early development and rapid growth of this economic and cultural powerhouse.The latter half of the book discusses the Art and Architecture of Greece & Italy, particularly the works created during the height of the ancient empires' Classic Era.Lastly, Bancroft turns his critical eye to the Art and Architecture of the Early Christian and Byzantine Periods... and finds it mostly lacking.