A History of Small Business in America - (The Luther H. Hodges Jr. and Luther H. Hodges Sr. Business, Entrepreneurship, and Public P) 2nd Edition

About the Book

First published in 1991 and now thoroughly revised and updated, Blackford's examination of small businesses in manufacturing, sales, services, and farming explores the central but ever-changing role played by small enterprises in the nation's economic, political, and cultural development.

Book Synopsis

From the colonial era to the present day, small businesses have been an integral part of American life. First published in 1991 and now thoroughly revised and updated, A History of Small Business in America explores the central but ever-changing role played by small enterprises in the nation's economic, political, and cultural development.

Examining small businesses in manufacturing, sales, services, and farming, Mansel Blackford argues that while small firms have always been important to the nation's development, their significance has varied considerably in different time periods and in different segments of our economy. Throughout, he relates small business development to changes in America's overall business and economic systems and offers comparisons between the growth of small business in the United States to its development in other countries. He places special emphasis on the importance of small business development for women and minorities. Unique in its breadth, this book provides the only comprehensive overview of these significant topics.

Review Quotes

"A cogent and readable addition to our understanding of American business, one that should be strongly considered by anyone teaching an American business history course.
("Business History Review")"

This readable survey goes further than any other work yet written to show the collective importance of small business in different ways at different times in the nation's economic development.
("Journal of American History")

"This readable survey goes further than any other work yet written to show the collective importance of small business in different ways at different times in the nation's economic development."

About the Author

Mansel Blackford, professor of history at Ohio State University, is well known for his work in American, European, and Asian business history. His most recent book is Fragile Paradise: The Impact of Tourism on Maui, 1959-2000.