"This is a timely and important volume featuring new work from a super line-up of authors. At a time when more than a few growth narratives nod politely to sentiments such as 'one size doesn't fit all' and 'context matters,' but then proceed to torture a single model to explain the fortunes of--or provide policy advice to--two hundred vastly different countries, it is a delight to find a group working to take both the model(s) and the countries themselves seriously. This collection contains arguments, evidence, and implications that deserve a wide hearing in both academic and policy circles."--Michael Woolcock, World Bank and Harvard University"This valuable collection fills a gap between the empirical growth literature and work by area specialists. The essays present narrative evidence on the importance of many things economists believe matter for growth. Several present new stylized facts, many of which will undoubtedly keep development and growth economists busy for some time to come."--Chang-Tai Hsieh, Princeton University