Originally published in 1972, Gladden argues that, when more and more attention is being given to the history of particular activities, to specialist as opposed to general history, there is a case for attempting to redress the balance between government and istration. This book offers an investigation of the istrative context of earlier ages and raises the suspicion that istration, like human nature, may not have varied very much since human society began. It is an attempt to provide a highly selective introductory history of this vast subject, with special emphasis on its public aspects, including chapters on Medieval Europe, the Middle East, Early American Civilizations and more.