Discover the captivating narrative of modern manufacturing with this essential read. This brand new book, titled 'Factory Towns of the Global Economy', published by W W Norton & Company in 2019 (ISBN: 9780393356625), invites readers to explore the profound impact of factory production on contemporary society. In his comprehensive analysis, historian Joshua B. Freeman offers a global history that spans three centuries, tracing the evolution of factories from the textile mills of England to today's behemoth production facilities in China and Vietnam. This 448-page tome delves deep into the duality of industrialization, illustrating how factories have shaped our lives—fueling economic growth while triggering fears of class warfare and environmental degradation. Freeman shines a light on pivotal moments in labor history, detailing the struggles and triumphs of workers and unions as they sought rights amidst the rise of industrial giants like Homestead and Foxconn. 'Factory Towns of the Global Economy' is not just a scholarly work; it’s an accessible narrative that resonates with anyone interested in the intersection of industrialization and society. Perfect for history buffs and those concerned about the future of manufacturing, this book is a must-have addition to your collection. Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780393356625
Year: 2019
Publisher: W W Norton & Company
Pages: 448


Description:


A sweeping, global history of the rise of the factory and its effects on society.


We live in a factory-made world: modern life is built on three centuries of advances in factory production, efficiency, and technology. But giant factories have also fueled our fears about the future since their beginnings, when William Blake called them "dark Satanic mills." Many factories that operated over the last two centuries”such as Homestead, River Rouge, and Foxconn”were known for the labor exploitation and class warfare they engendered, not to mention the environmental devastation caused by factory production from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution up to today.


In a major work of scholarship that is also wonderfully accessible, celebrated historian Joshua B. Freeman tells the story of the factory and examines how it has reflected both our dreams and our nightmares of industrialization and social change. He whisks readers from the textile mills in England that powered the Industrial Revolution and the factory towns of New England to the colossal steel and car plants of twentieth-century America, Eastern Europe, and the Soviet Union and on to today™s behemoths making sneakers, toys, and cellphones in China and Vietnam


The giant factory, Freeman shows, led a revolution that transformed human life and the environment. He traces arguments about factories and social progress through such critics and champions as Marx and Engels, Charles Dickens, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Ford, and Joseph Stalin. He chronicles protests against standard industry practices from unions and workers™ rights groups tha