Recent books like Why Nations Fail, by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson, take up this fascinating subject for our own age.

FORBES: How Do Countries Grow Rich? It's Much Easier Than You Think

Eco-friendly Daron "Farmer D" Joffe then buys this soil and uses it in his urban gardens and at his Organic Garden Center.

CNN: Downtown Atlanta recycles self into a Zero Waste Zone

In the day's opening race, America's Daron Rahlves was involved in a spectacular crash when the 36-year-old, one of the United States' most decorated downhillers, collided with France's Ted Piccard and landed hard on his back.

BBC: Ski cross gold for Switzerland's Michael Schmid