The Industrial Revolution: A History in Documents (Pages from History) [Hardcover]

Laura L. Frader (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195128176 | ISBN-13: 978-0195128178 | Publication Date: April 6, 2006

The Industrial Revolution: A History in Documents uses a wide variety of primary source documents to chronicle a period of great international social and technological change that began in England in the 18th century. Improvements were made to the steam engine that meant that many tasks that had been done by hand in the past could be mechanized. With locomotives and steamships, goods could now be transported very quickly and within a reasonably predictable time. Other changes included the use of iron and steel, invention of new machines that increased production (including the spinning jenny), development of the factory system, and important developments in transportation and communication (including the telegraph). Thay all led to agricultural improvements, a wider distribution of wealth, political changes reflecting the shift in economic power, and sweeping social changes. This book relies on primary sources such as personal diaries, advice books, poems, business reports, letters, photos, and essays to tell the story behind this rapidly changing period and its far-reaching effects.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–Frader presents the development of the Industrial Revolution through a complex mixture of documents and narrative. After a general introduction on how to read documents for context as well as content, she begins each chapter with an overview of the topic, followed by a combination of her own words in bold or as captions and primary documents. The author introduces and places in context letters, diaries, government reports, laws, songs and poems, association statements, newspaper articles, posters, paintings, illustrations, and photographs of artifacts. The widely varied and fascinating black-and-white illustrations have good resolution and are an integral part of the narrative. The author emphasizes the socially complex results of the Industrial Revolution, including the great hardships the new labor force experienced. She concludes with an afterword in which she balances the negative with the positive social changes that have resulted from the new technologies that, through improved means of production, transportation, and communication, have brought about rising living standards, and the expansion of leisure–not only for the middle class, but for workers as well…. Frader's style is clear and easily readable; however, the complexity and variety of the sources that constitute the total narrative make this a challenging though intriguing text for high school students. The time line at the end provides useful guideposts of significant events. A list of further reading arranged by topic completes the work.–Judith V. Lechner, Auburn University, AL
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About the Author

Laura L. Frader is at Northeastern University.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 15 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195128176
• ISBN-13: 978-0195128178
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,418,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A colorful, emotional, and powerful set of readings and pictures, February 12, 2008

By 

Daniel Christensen "early modern historian" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Industrial Revolution: A History in Documents (Pages from History) (Hardcover)

I am eager to assign this as required reading in my world history courses at the university level. The primary documents are rich in information and will work well in discussion. The pictures and illustrations amplify the overall sense of the industrialization of Europe and its far-reaching effects. The book helpfully starts with the pre-industrial or proto-industrial economic system, then devotes most of its space to textile production, steam power, and mining, and finishes with the social effects and criticisms of the free-for-all period of capitalism. Socialist and trade union writings complete the book.

It is very impressive. At $38 it is a little pricey, but that's not uncommon. The good thing is that the teacher can discard the textbook and use books such as this one, and the students will appreciate it on several levels.