First published in 1972, the object of this work is to provide a history of public administration from earliest times up to the present day. The survey, necessarily selective, is broadly based, ranging from the prehistoric cave-dwellers to twentieth-century administration. Viewpoints are varied to bring in the several levels and spheres of operation; namely, directional and personnel, organizational and technical, biographical and theoretical.

The work is in two volumes. Volume One covers the main civilizations of the Middle East, India, China and the West up to the eleventh century A.D. Volume Two, continuing the same field, extends its scope to include the civilizations of pre-Columbian America, the colonial empire and international administration.

At a time when the scope of public administration is continually expanding, and more research is being carried out into administrative problems, much can be learned from the administrative lessons of the past. Dr. E.N. Gladden, a retired civil servant, has designed this work to integrate a vast and diverse subject.