The People's Welfare: Law and Regulation in Nineteenth-Century America (Studies in Legal History) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Novak (history, Univ. of Chicago) has produced an extraordinarily important historical work on American government regulation in the 19th century. In contradiction to previous accounts of American legal history, Novak argues, America was not a laissez-faire, freemarket nation but rather a highly regulated state profoundly concerned with public welfare and market involvement. His carefully crafted analysis focuses specifically on the implementation of local laws covering such topics as public safety and health, public space and transportation, economy, and morality. He thereby demonstrates that America's ambivalence or antipathy toward regulation is a relatively recent phenomenon?an instructive point as politicians begin to deconstruct the welfare state. More leisurely readers may be put off by Novak's densely written introduction. Once readers complete the first chapter, however, they will find the rest of the book intensely interesting. This landmark treatise is recommended for all academic and larger public libraries.?Steven Anderson, Baltimore Cty. Circuit Court Law Lib., Towson, Md.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Sophisticated and provocative, well-written, well-argued, and exhaustively researched.

Law and Legal History

Offers a vigorous and effective challenge to two related bodies of literature [on legal regulation].

American Historical Review

This is a comprehensive and well documented book, showing the author•s competence in a number of disciplines.

Business History Review

[A] provocative, prodigiously researched, and beautifully written book.

Reviews in American History

[A]n ambitious research design, presented with admirable clarity and verve.

Yale Law Journal

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Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press (December 3, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807846112
• ISBN-13: 978-0807846117
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #220,984 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Review of the People's Welfare by William J. Novack, March 22, 2001

By	Joseph A. Babaian (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The People's Welfare is a wonderful tool to understanding the background of the federal and state governments within the United States. Topics include the purpose of the two separate governments, their unique functions and how they adapted (or didn't adapt) to social and economic changes throughout the developments of the United States. The only problem with this book is that it perhaps does not address the existence of the police power in the federal government as much as it could have. Nonetheless, the People's Welfare is the place to start for those who are interested in the functions of government and the legal history of this country.