Ages of American Capitalism: A History of the United States

ISBN: 0812995015

Author: Levy, Jonathan

Condition: New

A leading economic historian traces the evolution of American capitalism from the colonial era to the present-and argues that weve reached a turning point that will define the era ahead.A monumental achievement, sure to become a classic.-Zachary D. Carter, author of The Price of PeaceIn this ambitious single-volume history of the United States, economic historian Jonathan Levy reveals how capitalism in America has evolved through four distinct ages and how the countrys economic evolution is inseparable from the nature of American life itself. The Age of Commerce spans the colonial era through the outbreak of the Civil War, and the Age of Capital traces the lasting impact of the industrial revolution. The volatility of the Age of Capital ultimately led to the Great Depression, which sparked the Age of Control, during which the government took on a more active role in the economy, and finally, in the Age of Chaos, deregulation and the growth of the finance industry created a booming economy for some but also striking inequalities and a lack of oversight that led directly to the crash of 2008.In Ages of American Capitalism, Levy proves that capitalism in the United States has never been just one thing. Instead, it has morphed through the countrys history-and its likely changing again right now.A stunning accomplishment . . . an indispensable guide to understanding American history-and whats happening in todays economy.-Christian Science MonitorThe best one-volume history of American capitalism.-Sven Beckert, author of Empire of Cotton