A history of commerce

"A History of Commerce" by Clive Day is a book that traces the long journey of trade and business from ancient civilizations up to modern times. It looks at why people started trading, the problems merchants faced, and how commerce is tied to things like government, money, and culture. The author begins by explaining that the main reason for commerce is to get goods from the people who make them, like farmers and manufacturers, to those who need them. The story also points out different roadblocks to trade, like personal risks, natural barriers, wars, and political issues that have made commerce difficult throughout history. The beginning of the book sets the scene for a tour through different time periods and places, showing how global commerce grew and changed over centuries.