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The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger - Second Edition with a new chapter by the author Paperback – April 5, 2016

by Marc Levinson (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,062 ratings
See all formats and editions
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In April 1956, a refitted oil tanker carried fifty-eight shipping containers from Newark to Houston. From that modest beginning, container shipping developed into a huge industry that made the boom in global trade possible. The Box tells the dramatic story of the container's creation, the decade of struggle before it was widely adopted, and the sweeping economic consequences of the sharp fall in transportation costs that containerization brought about.

But the container didn't just happen. Its adoption required huge sums of money, both from private investors and from ports that aspired to be on the leading edge of a new technology. It required years of high-stakes bargaining with two of the titans of organized labor, Harry Bridges and Teddy Gleason, as well as delicate negotiations on standards that made it possible for almost any container to travel on any truck or train or ship. Ultimately, it took McLean's success in supplying U.S. forces in Vietnam to persuade the world of the container's potential.

Drawing on previously neglected sources, economist Marc Levinson shows how the container transformed economic geography, devastating traditional ports such as New York and London and fueling the growth of previously obscure ones, such as Oakland. By making shipping so cheap that industry could locate factories far from its customers, the container paved the way for Asia to become the world's workshop and brought consumers a previously unimaginable variety of low-cost products from around the globe.

Published in hardcover on the fiftieth anniversary of the first container voyage, this is the first comprehensive history of the shipping container. Now with a new chapter, The Box tells the dramatic story of how the drive and imagination of an iconoclastic entrepreneur turned containerization from an impractical idea into a phenomenon that transformed economic geography, slashed transportation costs, and made the boom in global trade possible.

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  1. Print length
    544 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Princeton University Press
  4. Publication date
    April 5, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.5 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0691170819
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0691170817
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,062 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book great, enjoyable, and well-written. They describe the writing as excellent and descriptive. Readers also appreciate the compelling history and informative content.

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ReadabilityReadable writingInformativeHistorical accuracy
34 customers mention "Readability"34 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, well-done, and enjoyable. They say it's comprehensive and reader-friendly. Readers also mention the book is one of the great business books of all time and a must-read for innovators, disrupters, and inventors.

"Levinson's "The Box" is the most comprehensive, reader-friendly book not only on the usage of the shipping container but the shipping and..." Read more

"...And it is an enjoyable read too!" Read more

"preface poorly written, but rest of book is great!!kind sucks that only the first 375? pages are the book(out of 513?),..." Read more

"...This book was eye-opening and surprisingly entertaining." Read more

18 customers mention "Readable writing"16 positive2 negative

Customers find the writing excellent and readable. They say it's a highly readable journey through the industrial, commercial, sociological, financial, and political aspects of the topic. Readers also appreciate the author's concise description of the development and impact of the container. In addition, they mention the book provides great details and sets the scene.

"...Levinson's detailed narrative is great for both readers with experience in this industry and the general audience...." Read more

"For anybody interested in global trade flows this is a must read. Well written and focused on the big picture, told with a focus on the innovators,..." Read more

"...The writing is clear and informative, and the chapters are organized into coherent sub-topics...." Read more

"Good History of the Container. It was well-written, easy to read. The story was interesting. The book was not too long...." Read more

17 customers mention "Informative"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative, fascinating, and good research material. They say it touches on many subjects and provides a good starting point to understand the history of the container.

"Levinson's "The Box" is the most comprehensive, reader-friendly book not only on the usage of the shipping container but the shipping and..." Read more

"...The author has done a whole lot of background research, and there's a lot of footnotes...." Read more

"Interesting overview of the shipping container revolution, but could have been more engaging on this literally world-changing phenomenon!" Read more

"...The book was well written even if a bit boring in parts. It was very informative about an overlooked innovation that changed the quality of life for..." Read more

16 customers mention "Historical accuracy"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book compelling, fantastic, and well-written. They say it's a thoroughly researched history of the shipping container, shipping, and its impact on the world economy. Readers also mention it's an engaging read.

"...How and why the inventions came about is a fascinating historical journey. Locations, risk-takers and actual cost savings are given in real terms...." Read more

"Good History of the Container. It was well-written, easy to read. The story was interesting. The book was not too long...." Read more

"...The book does a good job of detailing this history...." Read more

"This is a great "biography"! It is not as much on economics, more of a history. Sometimes it gets a little dry but only in parts...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Alexander
5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed, in-depth history of the shipping industry
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2022
Verified Purchase
Levinson's "The Box" is the most comprehensive, reader-friendly book not only on the usage of the shipping container but the shipping and transportation industry itself. The style, a linear, narrative type, gives both the proper historical context of breakbulk shipping preceding containerized freight to the union battles of the 60's, ending with the explosion of Asian container ports in the second decade of the 21st century. Levinson's detailed narrative is great for both readers with experience in this industry and the general audience.

However, on occasion, Levinson will mention very specific terminology that can confuse a reader not familiar with logistics and shipping. Everyone reading this review probably knows what a container looks like, but not the specifics, such as the locking mechanisms and the sides to support the weight of multiple containers. It would have been nice to have more photos to illustrate these parts. For the most part, any figures are tables relating to data; useful, but the space should have been used for pictures. Thankfully, Google is a useful ally.

With the book being around 500 pages (the last ~100 are references and citations), The Box approaches the border of being too lengthy, but not verbose. If you are looking for a quick, brief understanding of containerized freight, I would suggest another book or a YouTube video. However, if you'd like to learn the history of shipping, containers, transportation, and its affects, both political and economic, then this book is a must.
4 people found this helpful
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mm07
4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great history lesson on containers
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Gerhard Stoltz Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and elucidating
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
For anybody interested in global trade flows this is a must read. Well written and focused on the big picture, told with a focus on the innovators, the winners, and the losers in an unlikely and tumultuous global revolution. The author manages to sketch both individual and structural stories very well.

At the end of this book you'll most likely go straight on Google Earth to try to map the flow of containers in your region, unless you'd already done that!
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Island Mouse
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating practical and historical perspective
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
Many of the names are familiar if you are into Ports and the shipping industry. How and why the inventions came about is a fascinating historical journey. Locations, risk-takers and actual cost savings are given in real terms. Discussion of barriers and work-arounds that made shipping containers happen worldwide. And it is an enjoyable read too!
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Victor Sanchez Ferrer
4.0 out of 5 stars Very focused on USA, but an excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
Would have appreciated a more global view. The author sometimes repeats ideas, making the book a longer yet entertained read. Would recommend yo skip pages if you got the idea.
2 people found this helpful
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Tree
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
The original has information on container housing the new version only has information on inter modal shipping and the shipping container business.
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Dale Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars Massive industry
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book all of the parts together about the shipping container that I have seen in person by bits and pieces. Having never meet Mr McClean by have a friend who worked for him, this book closes the gaps in my knowledge.
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Mr. Stripey
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice history of containerized shipping
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a fascinating history of containerized shipping. The author has done a whole lot of background research, and there's a lot of footnotes. The writing is clear and informative, and the chapters are organized into coherent sub-topics. It was especially interesting for me with regard to insights into shipping and labor in US ports before containers, the early years of the industry, the role of Malcom McLean as an innovator, and various factors which led to early growth and also early boom and bust cycles.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Louise B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Got it for my husband
Reviewed in Canada on July 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
He loved it.
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C.T.
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book about the influence of the container on shipping
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
The Box is a great book regarding the influence of the container on the modern economy and gives a detailed understanding of the world before the container, the transition and the consequences. It is a good read, but requires that you are interested in shipping since it can be a heavy in certain chapters. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand global trade and globalization.
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Ademir Trujillo
5.0 out of 5 stars Por tarea descubrí este libro
Reviewed in Mexico on April 26, 2018
Verified Purchase
Interesante para aquellos que nos dedicamos a Comercio Exterior. Una fuente que te ayuda a entender mejor cómo una "simple" caja nos ha permitido vivir en un mundo globalizado.
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Pietro Gazzera
5.0 out of 5 stars Interessante
Reviewed in Italy on October 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
Una bella storia sui container. E di come hanno cambiato la storia (e pure la geografia)
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Ruben
5.0 out of 5 stars Buen libro de teoría e historia!
Reviewed in Spain on December 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Es un libro de teoría e historia. Imperdible para los que estén interesados en el tema de contenedores marítimos.
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