This text describes the historical interrelationships in Europe between population, land, resources, and disease. By integrating the key component of culture the author provides a social and narrative history, from the first peopling of Europe to the end of the 20th century.

This book presents the reader with a fascinating history of the inter-relationships between population, land, resources, and disease in Europe. Professor Livi Bacci integrates the key component of culture to provide a vivid social and narrative history from the first peopling of Europe through centuries of famine, hunger and premature death, up to present-day low mortality, negligible hunger and population stability.

The author focuses on the determinants of epidemics and disease and also on the factors of climate, space and land and their impacts on food and energy supply. The book is accessibly written and translated for the student and general reader. Throughout the book, Professor Livi Bacci brings the human element to the forefront of population history creating an appealing narrative for all interested readers of this subject.