Social Change in America - by Christopher Clark (Paperback)

About the Book

An interpretive history of the processes of social change in the early years of the new republic. It concentrates on the nation's expansion, which saw the rapid growth of rural societies based on family labor, slavery, and wage labor, but also an intensification of economic ac...

Book Synopsis

An interpretive history of the processes of social change in the early years of the new republic. It concentrates on the nation's expansion, which saw the rapid growth of rural societies based on family labor, slavery, and wage labor, but also an intensification of economic activity that fostered the growth of commerce, towns, and manufacturing; applied new technologies to transport and communications; and initiated mass immigration from overseas. The character of the social relationships between groups and individuals that were shaped by, and helped shape, these events is the subject of Clark's book.

Review Quotes

A compelling synthesis of American social history...Clark's narrative captures brilliantly and clearly the way [of] the American Revolution.

At last we have a book that interprets the broad sweep of social change in America.

Beautifully written.

Deeply researched . . . unassailable.

Deft, fast-paced, and sweeping survey of the major changes in the American economy and social structure during the antebellum years.

Drawing richly on recent literature, Clark weaves extensive data into a broad and readable summary of current academic concerns and conclusions.

For the discerning reader, Clark presents ideas that provoke deeper thought.

In this concise and lucid book, Christopher Clark clearly and insightfully explores a sweeping transformation of American society.

No programme for a course on American history for this period should do without listing this book.

Offers something different--the opportunity to survey changes and their lasting, far-reaching impact on American society. . . . A fundamental coverage.

This is an intelligent and extraordinarily useful volume. Dense with information and insight . . . a thoroughly rewarding read.

About the Author

Christopher Clark is professor of history at the University of Connecticut and author of The Communitarian Movement and The Roots of Rural Capitalism. Born in England, he studied at the University of Warwick and did his graduate work at Harvard University. He has received the Frederick Jackson Turner Award of the Organization of American Historians. He lives in Storrs, Connecticut.