Industrializing America: The Nineteenth Century

Licht's oft-repeated thesis is that American industrialization is characterized by complexity and diversity, yet he still synthesizes a coherent narrative and argument in his book. Plus, he deftly summarizes (and takes sides in) debates regarding several major questions about U.S. industrialization: Did labor scarcity create more mechanization? Was the late nineteenth century a second industrial revolution? Was what transpired a continuation of earlier initiatives or a fundamental shift? Licht's book is appropriate for an undergraduate classroom, or a graduate seminar in which a quick introduction to industrialization is needed. It presents the major themes of American industrialization, and has enough teeth to leave room for debate, especially if students are prompted with questions before they begin reading. Licht approaches industrialization from many angles--labor, capital, robber barons, government, craftsmen, factory workers--and gives the reader a solid introduction to the issues. Instead of footnotes,the book concludes with a strong bibliograpic essay for each chapter. The book is not intended for advanced scholars of industrialization, but some specialists may find Lichts reframing of American industrialization in a social history lens useful. I did.Most succinct summarizing quote: "Complexity and diversity marked the whole process of industrialization. The growth of manufacture occurred in different countries, regions within countries, and trades in a remarkably uneven fashion; the timing and pace of change varied widely, as did choices of technology and managerial arrangements. Industrialization destroyed certain skills and occupations but created others; the process similarly generated both small- and large-scale enterprise. In the United States, agricultural expansion, not contraction, accompanied industrial development; professional, clerical, and service sector employment grew alongside." (21)