Martin Ravallion holds the inaugural Edmond D. Villani Chair of Economics at Georgetown University, prior to which he was the Director of the World Bank's research department. He has advised numerous governments and international agencies on poverty and policies for fighting it, and he has written extensively on this and other subjects in economics, including four books and 200 papers in scholarly journals and edited volumes. He is President of the Society for the Study of Economic Inequality. Amongst various prizes and awards, in 2012 he was awarded the John Kenneth Galbraith Prize from the American Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

"Many economics students are motivated by the struggle for a better world. Here, at last, is the book for them. Building on extensive research, Ravallion asks: What can we learn about poverty from past thinkers? How should we measure poverty? What reduces it? Readers don't need prior knowledge of economics: this clear, rigorous text teaches the economic basics, not as a chore, but as part of learning what's wrong and how to put it right." -- Michael Lipton, Research Professor of Economics, University of Sussex

"This book is a tour de force. Covering history of thought, analytical tools and policy issues, it provides an indispensable introduction to the economics of poverty. Martin Ravallion is a global leader in the field of poverty analysis. His book will prove to be of lasting value not only to students, but also to seasoned researchers and policy analysts." -- Ravi Kanbur, T.H. Lee Professor of World Affairs and Professor of Economics, Cornell University

"This landmark book demonstrates clearly and convincingly the power of economic ideas and analysis in tackling the blight of global poverty and provides the perfect grounding-rigorous yet inspirational-for young scholars seeking to help the world's poorest." -- Lyn Squire, Director of the World Bank's 1990 World Development Report, Poverty

"For the first time in history, we have the knowledge and tools to end extreme poverty. Dr. Ravallion's insightful and practical analysis provides a blueprint for the next generation of leaders to seize this opportunity and build vibrant, inclusive economies." -- Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

"An indispensable reference for anyone interested in any aspect of the economics of poverty by the indisputable world expert in this area." -- François Bourguignon, Paris School of Economics