Book Review: Industrial Pioneers: Scranton, Pennsylvania and the Transformation of America, 1840-1902 by Patrick Brown

Industrial Pioneers

Click on cover to purchase at Amazon

Title: Industrial Pioneers: Scranton, Pennsylvania and the Transformation of America, 1840-1902
Author: Patrick Brown
Paperback: 142 pages
Genre: History
Publisher: Tribute Books
Language: English
ISBN – 0982256558
ISBN – 978-0982256558

About the Book:

Periods of total societal transformation often provide the best material for historians. The way that Scranton’s residents reimagined their value within society in response to the changes around them did not evolve in step with technological and economic progress—rather, those living through these changes slowly and painfully adapted extant modes of thinking in light of their new life circumstances. This book weaves a cohesive narrative that explains how Scranton—and America—went from the personal, egalitarian society of the early days of the republic to the rigidly institutionalized society that endures today.

This book’s investigation of the history of Scranton allows the reader to witness the development of the distinct and interrelated ideologies that defined industrial America.

Review:

I haven’t always loved history.  It took two year stay in Newport News, Virginia, to fall in love with history and I’ve never turned back.  The history of the cities and towns of our great country is fascinating because it’s the story of how a certain person (or persons) takes a dream and turns it reality by taking a piece of land or a patch of woods and turning it into a community of businesses and families, thus creating economic growth for our country.  It’s those people who should get an applause because they are the ones who have changed history and it is because of them our country was born.  They are the ones in the history books and they are the ones we really should learn more about because that’s how we learn about passion, resilience, the desire to overcome obstacles the best way we know how and the power one individual can have to change the way of life for not one but many people.

This is why I couldn’t wait to read Patrick Brown’s economic history book, Industrial Pioneers: Scranton, Pennsylvania and the Transformation of America, 1840-1902.  While I have never been to Scranton, Pennsylvania, the area fascinates me.  This is the story of how William Scranton took a piece of woods and turned it into a thriving community and interesting in the respect that now we have a handy reference book to find out just exactly how Scranton become the Scranton it is today.

Patrick Brown does an excellent job.  While it read a little text-book, it was one of the finest biographies of the history of Scranton, Pennsylvania, I have seen and should have a place in every library in America.  Patrick takes us from the beginning when Scranton was called ‘Slocum Hollow’ with just 100 residents.  Not too long after an entrepreneur named William Scranton moves there, the town changes its name to Harrison and then Scrantonia, and later, Scranton.  Reading how this town grew was fascinating and anyone who loves history or loves to read about how towns and cities got their start will love reading this book.  I highly recommend Brown’s  Industrial Pioneers: Scranton, Pennsylvania and the Transformation of America, 1840-1902.


2 Responses to “Book Review: Industrial Pioneers: Scranton, Pennsylvania and the Transformation of America, 1840-1902 by Patrick Brown”

  1. Dorothy – what an apt description of the American Dream:

    ..”history of the cities and towns of our great country is fascinating because it’s the story of how a certain person (or persons) takes a dream and turns it reality…”

    So true! Thanks again for a poignant and thoughtful review.

    Best wishes,
    Nicole
    Tribute Books

  2. Dorothy Thompson says:

    I loved it and I so appreciate you giving me the chance to review it!

Leave a Reply