Multiple Viewpoints: The Industrial Revolution

~Patricia Sutton

Bedard, M. (2006). William Blake: The gates of paradise. Toronto, Ont.: Tundra Books.     ISBN: 9780887767630

This book includes describes the Industrial Revolution from the artist’s perspective.  In addition to telling the story of Blake’s life and career, it also describes Britain’s industrialization and early engraving & publishing techniques.  Also included are Blake’s thoughts on the tragic impact of the Industrial Revolution on the underprivileged.

Crain, C. D. & Lee, D. R. (2009). Profiles in economics: Adam Smith. Greensboro, N.C.: Morgan Reynolds Pub.  ISBN: 9781599351070

Cited as the father of modern day economics, Adam Smith published his magnum opus, “The Wealth of Nations,” in 1776 toward the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.  This biography presents well researched information on Smith’s life and economic theory. 

Ford, H. (2010). My life and work: An autobiography of Henry Ford. S.l.: Greenbook.        ISBN: 9781617430206

Though most everyone knows that Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company, many may not realize that it was also thanks to him that the assembly line was created, leading to mass production of inexpensive goods.  Unlike factory owners of the British Industrial Revolution, and much of the American Industrial Revolution, Ford believed in keeping workers happy with high wages and good working conditions to decrease worker turnover.  In this autobiography he explains the strategies he used to become a successful, wealthy businessman.

Freedman, R. & Hine, L. (Photographer). (1998). Kids at work: Lewis Hine and the crusade against child labor. New York, NY: Clarion.  ISBN: 9780395797266

Freedman tells the story of the photographic work that Lewis Hine did, documenting unjust labor conditions in an effort to combat child labor in America.  Hine’s photographs show the terrible working conditions of child workers from 1908-1918 as Freedman explains the economics and industry of the time.

Hillstrom, L. C. (2010). The Muckrakers and the Progressive Era. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics. ISBN: 9780780810938

This book tells the story of the muckraking movement in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.  These journalists exposed social and political problems including such things as monopolies, child labor, low wages, poor working conditions, and other issues resulting from industrialization in the U.S.  The government could no longer ignore these problems thanks to these journalists and the public outcry they caused.

Ingpen, R. R., Pollard, M. & Wilkinson, P. (1995). The Industrial Revolution. New York, NY: Chelsea House.  ISBN: 9780791027677

This simplified version of Ingpen and Wilkinson’s, “Encyclopedia of ideas that changed the world,” introduces the reader to the many wonderful, life-changing inventions of the Industrial Revolution.

Marrin, A. (2011). Flesh and blood so cheap: The triangle fire and its legacy. New York, NY: Knopf.  ISBN: 9780375868894

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire is just one tragic example of the poor working conditions suffered by workers during the industrialization of America.  This book tells not only the story of the fire, but also the harsh reality of immigrant workers of the era and their struggles to make ends meet.

Meltzer, M. (1991). Bread-And Roses: The Struggle of American Labor 1865-1915. New York: Facts on File.  ISBN: 9780735102163

From the massacres of strikers and their families at the Ludlow, CO coal mines to the uprisings of textile workers in Lawrence, MA, the book tells the story of the epic struggle of workers against government-backed employers as they fought for safe working conditions, fair wages, and a shorter work day.

Nasaw, D. (2007). Andrew Carnegie. New York : Penguin Press.  ISBN: 9780143112440

Although this book is not written for young adults, it includes an important perspective of the Industrial Revolution:  that of the rich “robber baron”.  Andrew Carnegie is one of the more interesting tycoons, having lived a life one would describe as hypocritical.  Although he amassed a fortune through unfair business practices and was a ruthless strikebreaker to become the richest man in the world, he also was a great philanthropist, an influential writer, and spent his final years working for world peace.  Although too long for teens to be expected to read in its entirety, excerpts from this book would enhance teaching of the Industrial Revolution. 

Springer, J. (1997). Listen to us: The world's working children. Toronto, Ont.: Groundwood Books.  ISBN: 9780888993076

This is the story of modern-day child workers, from their own perspective.  It illustrates that while our industrial revolution and the struggles it brought may have drawn to a close, other countries continue to struggle with similar issues.      

Bonus:

Seeger, P. (2011). Songs of Struggle and Protest, 1930-50 [CD]. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways. (1930-1950).

What better way to teach about labor struggles than through the music of Pete Seeger?