The Myth Of The Robber Barons: A New Look at the Rise of Big Business in America
Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 9 years ago to Books
The Myth Of The Robber Barons: A New Look at the Rise of Big Business in America
Author, Burton W. Folsom, Jr. History, Free Enterprise Economics
Seventh Edition ISBN-13: 978-0-9630203-1-4, ISBN-10: 0-9630203-1-5
Primary text - 166 pages including notes and citations, excepting contents, foreword, index, bibliography etc.
Unlike the negative, commonly promulgated text book narrative of the most powerful and influential businessmen of the industrial revolution this book examines objectively both the good and the bad of the most prominent and influential. It is typical, and to some degree understandable that history mimics the media which has always had an inclination to record and report the dirty laundry side of any story. So it is that we have all heard of the unsavory side of the stories of the powerful movers and shakers without recognition and appreciation for the tremendous benefits they have brought humanity by their innovations and ambitions. Too often they have been characterized as greedy tyrants willing to abuse the workers and the environment without appreciation for the full context of their times and the benefits they bestowed on society. This book balances the scales and gives credit where due.
Chapters on Commodore Vanderbilt, James J. Hill, the Scrantons, Charles Schwab, John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Mellon tell the individual stories. It concludes with a chapter on Entrepreneurs vs. the Historians and an Epilogue by Stephen Moore.
This is the book you want to have when you need to set the record straight, show how government intervention and cronyism was more of a detriment and villain to the people, tax payers and workers than any of the so called “Robber Barons.” It is the rebuttal to the progressive narrative and smears that have besmirched the reputations of those that have done more to improve the standard of living of everyone, rich and poor alike, than any government.
A short easy read, this book should be considered a must read and part of any library for those interested in seeking the full truth, restoring the reputations of entrepreneurs and industrialists, combating the smears of the progressive statists and ascribing to the government their rightful share of responsibility for abuses of the truth, public trust and tax dollars.
The truth is out there.
Respectfully,
O.A.
Author, Burton W. Folsom, Jr. History, Free Enterprise Economics
Seventh Edition ISBN-13: 978-0-9630203-1-4, ISBN-10: 0-9630203-1-5
Primary text - 166 pages including notes and citations, excepting contents, foreword, index, bibliography etc.
Unlike the negative, commonly promulgated text book narrative of the most powerful and influential businessmen of the industrial revolution this book examines objectively both the good and the bad of the most prominent and influential. It is typical, and to some degree understandable that history mimics the media which has always had an inclination to record and report the dirty laundry side of any story. So it is that we have all heard of the unsavory side of the stories of the powerful movers and shakers without recognition and appreciation for the tremendous benefits they have brought humanity by their innovations and ambitions. Too often they have been characterized as greedy tyrants willing to abuse the workers and the environment without appreciation for the full context of their times and the benefits they bestowed on society. This book balances the scales and gives credit where due.
Chapters on Commodore Vanderbilt, James J. Hill, the Scrantons, Charles Schwab, John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Mellon tell the individual stories. It concludes with a chapter on Entrepreneurs vs. the Historians and an Epilogue by Stephen Moore.
This is the book you want to have when you need to set the record straight, show how government intervention and cronyism was more of a detriment and villain to the people, tax payers and workers than any of the so called “Robber Barons.” It is the rebuttal to the progressive narrative and smears that have besmirched the reputations of those that have done more to improve the standard of living of everyone, rich and poor alike, than any government.
A short easy read, this book should be considered a must read and part of any library for those interested in seeking the full truth, restoring the reputations of entrepreneurs and industrialists, combating the smears of the progressive statists and ascribing to the government their rightful share of responsibility for abuses of the truth, public trust and tax dollars.
The truth is out there.
Respectfully,
O.A.
The students get it and often ask why they have been taught otherwise.
This book should be in every high school and in every pro-free market teacher's arsenal.
Excellent commentary. We need more teachers like you!
Bravo,
O.A.
Just for the record, another great book along just those lines:
"How Capitalism Saved America: The Untold History of Our Country, From the Pilgrims to the Present" by Thomas DiLorenzo. Published in 2004. He did his homework on this one, and I strongly recommend it to anyone interested - as Objective Analyst says - in "seeking the full truth, restoring the reputations of entrepreneurs and industrialists, combating the smears of the progressive statists and ascribing to the government their rightful share of responsibility for abuses of the truth, public trust and tax dollars."
And a big "OOHRAH!" to that!
Brad
Thank you for your excellent commentary and book recommendation. I have added it to my list.
Regards,
O.A..
Damn, this social crap DOES work out every once in a while... LOL
Brad
This forum provides opportunity to find people like you which helps me keep the flame of Liberty aglow. Considering the path we have been on of late, I need all the inspiration I can get! If we all gain strength from the knowledge we are not alone, hopefully we can be more confident and energetic in spreading the word.
We shall reclaim our birthright, or at least, not go silently into the night!
Regards,
O.A.
Brad
Anytime. Side note: I have one of your books on my upcoming reading list (The Decline and Fall of the American Entrepreneur:...). I am looking forward to it and writing a review. I am hoping to get to it in the next few weeks.
Regards,
O.A.
Somehow I had a feeling... :)
Regards,
O.A.
Time to boil some oil and make potato chips! Wake the feckless! :)
Ring the Liberty bell... Light the tower... “One, if by land, and two, if by sea”
Regards,
O.A.
For the progressive, the Robber Barons are the Alpha/Omega of the problem with capitalism.
Our wonderful country was founded on property rights and freedom. Freedom has taken many hits over the generations. When we lose property rights we will be no better than the Communist block countries of the 60s. It seems, to a progressive, equality of outcome is far more important than equality of opportunity.
I will order this book as it may add to my vocabulary when arguing with my liberal friend (singular).
Now, if you can only get your Liberal friend to read it, as well as few other books, you might just break down the wall a bit.
Best of luck,
O.A.
"An emotion is an automatic response, an automatic effect of man’s value premises. An effect, not a cause. There is no necessary clash, no dichotomy between man’s reason and his emotions—provided he observes their proper relationship. A rational man knows—or makes it a point to discover—the source of his emotions, the basic premises from which they come; if his premises are wrong, he corrects them. He never acts on emotions for which he cannot account, the meaning of which he does not understand. In appraising a situation, he knows why he reacts as he does and whether he is right. He has no inner conflicts, his mind and his emotions are integrated, his consciousness is in perfect harmony. His emotions are not his enemies, they are his means of enjoying life. But they are not his guide; the guide is his mind. This relationship cannot be reversed, however. If a man takes his emotions as the cause and his mind as their passive effect, if he is guided by his emotions and uses his mind only to rationalize or justify them somehow—then he is acting immorally, he is condemning himself to misery, failure, defeat, and he will achieve nothing but destruction—his own and that of others." Ayn Rand
Interesting that your friend has done well in her chosen profession... but then again, in that profession, numbers do not elicit emotional response... until you see the tax bill. :)
If your looking for a good historical review, I fully recommend this, fair warning though I read just about everything Burt Folsom puts out.
Have Fun!