The book begins by introducing key concepts like commodity flows and trade technologies. It then investigates the economic impacts of trade, such as stimulating production and developing financial systems. Further sections analyze the dissemination of ideas and shifts in geopolitical influence driven by control over strategic trade routes.
Adopting a fact-based approach, Trade Expansion presents a rigorous analysis of historical records, drawing from archaeological findings, historical texts, and economic data. It culminates by discussing the lasting legacies of these trade networks and their relevance to contemporary globalization and international relations.