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

Based on the height data of 18th-century American soldiers the inference is warranted that Americans were taller than Europeans, and the wedge widened during the course of the century.

The Nutritional status of the plains Indians was relatively high because they lived close to a rich supply of proteins: the bison. Same patterns can be observed in other pre- and early-industrial societies.