Economic history deals with daily life, but also goes beyond that to interpret the important turning points which made daily life possible. This book demonstrates why Hong Kong was so successful as a commercial, industrial and financial city at different times in its history and how these major changes made an impact on the life of its people. The documents selected for inclusion illustrate vividly problems confronted by entrepreneur and government at every stage in these changes. An outline history provided in the general introduction and to every chapter brings coherence to the different themes which emerge throughout the book.