The Industrial Revolution - (Greenwood Guides to Historic Events 1500-1900) by Lee Wyatt (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Industrial Revolution that began in Great Britain in the mid-seventeenth century transformed the British economy--and later the economies of Western Europ and the U.S.--from a rural, agricultral system into an industrial society, centered around the factory system of mass production and specialized labor. the right mix of social, political and legal conditions in Britain at the time led to the discovery of labor. The right mix of social, political and legal conditions in Britain at the time led to the discovery of fresh sources of power and energy, and to advances in agriculture, manufacturing, communication and transportation. Notable results included the steam engine, which made possible everything from textile factories to railroads, and, later in the U.S., the cotton gin, electric light, and automobiles.

This comprehensive volume explores all these events and more, including the aftermath of the Revolution--its spread beyond Britain and the U.S. to Asia and throughout the world, allowing for a higher standard of living while challenging that standard with increased pollution and health problems, a widened economic and social class gap, and a weakening of traditional family structure. Biographical sketches of key figures, a chronology of events, primary document excerpts from the period, and a print and nonprint source bibliography supplement the work.

Book Synopsis

The Industrial Revolution that began in Great Britain in the mid-seventeenth century transformed the British economy--and later the economies of Western Europ and the U.S.--from a rural, agricultral system into an industrial society, centered around the factory system of mass production and specialized labor. the right mix of social, political and legal conditions in Britain at the time led to the discovery of labor. The right mix of social, political and legal conditions in Britain at the time led to the discovery of fresh sources of power and energy, and to advances in agriculture, manufacturing, communication and transportation. Notable results included the steam engine, which made possible everything from textile factories to railroads, and, later in the U.S., the cotton gin, electric light, and automobiles.

This comprehensive volume explores all these events and more, including the aftermath of the Revolution--its spread beyond Britain and the U.S. to Asia and throughout the world, allowing for a higher standard of living while challenging that standard with increased pollution and health problems, a widened economic and social class gap, and a weakening of traditional family structure. Biographical sketches of key figures, a chronology of events, primary document excerpts from the period, and a print and nonprint source bibliography supplement the work.

Review Quotes

"Goloboy's volume incorporates biographies in the chapters that cover the individual's lifetime, whereas Wyatt offers more detailed biographies in a separate section. Both books detail the lifestyle changes that characterized the era and offer numerous viewpoints on it. They are worthy general purchases depending on need. While Goloboy focuses on the Industrial Revolution in the United States, Wyatt also looks at the period prior to it and addresses global ramifications.'

Reviewed with Industrial Revolution: People and Perspectives by Jennifer Goloboy." --School Library Journal

About the Author

Lee T. Wyatt III is a Visiting Professor at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu and also teaches history at Brevard Community College. A retired Army colonel, he is a former history faculty member at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He has written a multitude of journal and magazine articles, book reviews, and conference papers on military, world, and American history.