This review covers a major contribution on the history of work by Jan Lucassen. My review is written from an economist's perspective and adds interpretations complementing this historical study. The book covers forms of work reaching as far back as 700.000 years ago. The hisorical account becomes more detailed with the developing cities and states in Mesopotamia, India, China, and the advancing division of labor. The book treats many shades of labor relations from cooperation in the form of free wage labor to labor subordination, e.g., in the form of slavery. The book is truly global in coverage, and the industrial revolution and newer developments receive special scrutiny. learn more on SSRN