European historian Spufford has written widely about money in the Middle Ages, and here describes the enormous expansion in European trade at local, regional, national, international, and even intercontinental scales during the 13th century, sparked by increases in population and money supply. Courts and consumers, helps and hindrances, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, slaves, and trade imbalances are among his topics. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)