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A Social History of the New England and Lancashire Textile Industries: A Critical Review

George Bernard Shaw

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Published in When The Air Became Important: A Social History Of The New England And Lancashire Textile Industries (Critical Issues In Health And Medicine)

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Jonathan Prude's 'A Social History of the New England and Lancashire Textile Industries' is a comprehensive and well-researched study of the social and economic impact of the textile industry on the development of New England and Lancashire. The book draws on a wide range of sources, including oral histories, company records, and government documents, to provide a rich and detailed account of the lives of textile workers and their families.

When the Air Became Important: A Social History of the New England and Lancashire Textile Industries (Critical Issues in Health and Medicine)

by Leanne Owens

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6610 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	255 pages

Prude begins by tracing the origins of the textile industry in both New England and Lancashire. He shows how the industry developed in response to the growing demand for cloth in the early nineteenth century. In New England, the textile industry was initially concentrated in small towns and villages, but it later moved to larger cities such as Lowell and Fall River. In Lancashire, the textile industry was concentrated in the towns and cities of the Pennine Hills. Both regions experienced rapid population growth and economic development as a result of the textile industry. However, the industry also brought with it a number of social problems, including poverty, crime, and disease.

Prude devotes a significant portion of his book to the working conditions in the textile mills. He describes the long hours, low wages, and dangerous working conditions that were common in the industry. He also discusses the role of women and children in the textile workforce. Women and children made up the majority of the workforce in both New England and Lancashire, and they often worked in the most difficult and dangerous jobs.

In addition to the working conditions, Prude also examines the social and cultural lives of textile workers and their families. He describes the close-knit communities that developed in mill towns and villages. He also discusses the role of religion, education, and recreation in the lives of textile workers.

Prude concludes his book by discussing the decline of the textile industry in New England and Lancashire. He argues that the industry declined due to a number of factors, including the rise of new textile industries in other parts of the world, the increasing cost of labor, and the changing tastes of consumers. The decline of the textile industry had a devastating impact on the communities that had relied on it for their livelihood. Many mill towns and villages were abandoned, and the population of New England and Lancashire declined.

Jonathan Prude's 'A Social History of the New England and Lancashire Textile Industries' is a valuable contribution to the scholarship on the history of the textile industry. The book provides a comprehensive and well-researched account of the social and economic impact of the industry on the development of New England and Lancashire. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the textile industry, the history of New England and Lancashire, or the social history of the working class.

Critical Review

Jonathan Prude's 'A Social History of the New England and Lancashire Textile Industries' is a well-written and informative book that provides a comprehensive overview of the social and economic impact of the textile industry on the development of New England and Lancashire. However, the book has some limitations. First, the book is very long and detailed. This may make it difficult for some readers to get through. Second, the book focuses primarily on the working conditions and social lives of textile workers. It does not give much attention to the role of the textile industry in the development of the broader economy and society.

Overall, Jonathan Prude's 'A Social History of the New England and Lancashire Textile Industries' is a valuable contribution to the scholarship on the history of the textile industry. The book provides a comprehensive and well-researched account of the social and economic impact of the industry on the development of New England and Lancashire. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the textile industry, the history of New England and Lancashire, or the social history of the working class.

When the Air Became Important: A Social History of the New England and Lancashire Textile Industries (Critical Issues in Health and Medicine)

by Leanne Owens

4.7 out of 5