The Genesis of Industrial America, 1870–1920 (Cambridge Essential Histories)

This book, first published in 2007, offers a bold new interpretation of American business history during the formative years 1870–1920, which mark the dawn of modern big business. It focuses on four major revolutions that ushered in this new era: those in power, transportation, communication, and organization. Using the metaphor of America as an economic hothouse uniquely suited to rapid economic growth during these years, it analyzes the interplay of key factors such as entrepreneurial talent, technology, land, natural resources, law, mass markets, and the rise of cities. It also delineates the process that laid the foundation for the modern era, in which virtually every human activity became a business, and, in most cases, a big business. The book also profiles numerous major entrepreneurs whose careers and activities illustrate broader trends and themes. It utilizes a wide variety of sources, including novels from the period, to produce a lively narrative. Cover......Page 1 Half-title......Page 3 Series-title......Page 5 Title......Page 7 Copyright......Page 8 Dedication......Page 9 Contents......Page 11 Series Editor's Foreword......Page 13 Introduction THE BUSINESS OF AMERICA......Page 15 Prologue A HOTHOUSE FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH......Page 19 1 The Marvel of Men and Machines......Page 31 The Men......Page 33 The Machines......Page 41 2 The Lure of Lovely and Lucrative Land......Page 49 Land as a Business......Page 50 The Business of Farming......Page 54 3 The Defeat of Distance and Desolation......Page 71 Moving Goods and People......Page 72 Moving Information......Page 88 4 The Potential of Plentiful Power......Page 97 The Steam Revolution......Page 99 The Electric Revolution......Page 103 5 The Fabrication of Familiar Forms......Page 119 6 Bargaining with Behemoths......Page 145 7 The Collision of City and Country......Page 167 8 The Mastery of Mass Markets......Page 191 Epilogue THE BOUNDARIES OF BIG BUSINESS......Page 209 Sources and Suggested Readings......Page 213 Index......Page 221 Maury Klein, the distinguished historian, has written a superb book on the Industrial Revolution in the U.S. A book that will appeal to scholars, college students, and the general reading public, this is a must read for anyone interested in the processes and impact of industrialization in the U.S. and the nature of Gilded Age and Progressive Era America in general.The Great Strikes of 1877 (Working Class in American History)

this Book Offers A Bold New Interpretation Of American Business History At The Dawn Of Big Business, 1870-1920.