The Wealth of Nations is a work of great theoretical significance not only for economists but also for all other social scientists, and particularly for historians. The latter may perhaps learn from Smith that the capital-labor relationship, that is, capitalism, had already been established as a dynamically developing social system by the mid-18th century, that is, before the industrial revolution.

This edition includes the first two of the total five books of The Wealth of Nations, which contain the entirety of Smith's theoretical analyses. The author then applies these analyses to assess the economic development of various countries (Book III), to critically analyze the mercantilist system of economic policy (Book IV), and to the economics of the state (Book V).

The edition is complemented by an Appendix, which describes the particular way in which Adam Smith's ideas, mainly his economic ideas, were disseminated in Greece.

The Wealth of Nations is a work that deserves and must finally be read. Only in this way will Adam Smith cease to be known by his reputation - that is, by the interpretation that has been given to his work from time to time by journalists or economists - and will be able to be known based on what he himself supported and developed.