Argues that the slaves transported in interregional trade were not selected on the basis of their physical stature.

Examines the height of Georgian convicts and concludes that their height declined beginning with the birth cohorts of 1835. The economic transition brought about a decline in their nutritional status.

Examines the height of German youth in the late eighteenth century, and documents the very large differences in height between the lower and upper classes. Shows that the height of the upper class did not decline at the end of the 18th century as did that of the common men.

Argues that the biological standard of living did not improve in the Soviet Union as much as it did in other European countries.

Introduces the reader to the importance of studying of the history of human physical stature, and the main findings of the recent decades.