First Published in 1990. This is Volume IX in the Library of Peasant Studies series, edited by Mick Reed and Roger Wells. The contributors to this volume discuss the disparity between agricultural history and rural history despite the two becoming synonymous in academic discussion. The editors state that exciting developments continue, but it is clear that the simple accumulation of empirical detail will not on its own, provide explanation and that exploration of the contents within these articles will inform positive change.