Steel Empire explores the dramatic transformation of the United States into an industrial powerhouse through the lens of the American steel industry. During the Gilded Age, innovations like the Bessemer process enabled mass production, forever changing the economic and urban landscape. The book uniquely examines how figures like Andrew Carnegie, representing entrepreneurial vision, intersected with the often harsh realities faced by steelworkers, offering a balanced view of the era's unprecedented growth and social inequality.
The book argues that the steel industry's success resulted from abundant resources, favorable government policies, and a relentless pursuit of efficiency. Early chapters detail the technological breakthroughs that facilitated mass production, followed by an analysis of industrial leaders and a dedicated examination of the lives and struggles of steelworkers. By connecting industrial history with economics, sociology, and urban planning, Steel Empire provides a comprehensive and accessible understanding of the forces that shaped modern America.
