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The article focuses on the book "Development Economics on Trial: The Anthropological Case for Prosecution'" by Polly Hill. The scientific claim of neoclassical economics attracts many sociologists. The universal and mathematical analysis seems to promise solutions to bedeviling problems in the social sciences. On the other hand, many consider economic theory to be either useless or wrong, telling us little about how the world works. Hill's provocative polemic provides a useful point of departure in this debate. Hill's string of brilliant monographs is unjustly neglected outside a narrow circle of economic anthropologists and Africanists. Her latest book is an unabashed polemic against economics. Hill castigates the scientific pretension of economics. She also laments that economists' policy prescriptions contribute to the Third World's continuing misery. Although the author reserves her excoriation for development economics, similar charges may apply to economics in general.

The article reviews the book "Transitional Puzzles: Reflections on Social, Economic and Political Issues," by Amlan Datta.

Reviews the book 'Industry in Developing Countries,' by John Weiss.

Reviews the book 'Industrialization and Economic Development: An Appropriate Strategy for the Underdeveloped Countries,' by Shrinivas Thakur.

Reviews the book 'The Industrialization of Less Developed Countries,' edited by C.H. Kirkpatrick and F.I. Nixson.