Continuity, Chance and Change: The Character of the Industrial Revolution in England

New
Illustrated
1990
$37.78

The Industrial Revolution brought into being a distinct world, a world of greater affluence, longevity and mobility, an urban rather than a rural world. But the great surge of economic growth was balanced against severe constraints on the opportunities for expansion, revealing an intriguing paradox. This book, published to considerable critical acclaim, explores the paradox and attempts to provide a distinct model' of the changes that comprised the industrial revolution.

Synopsis

The Industrial Revolution brought into being a distinct world, a world of greater affluence, longevity and mobility, an urban rather than a rural world. But the great surge of economic growth was balanced against severe constraints on the opportunities for expansion, revealing an intriguing paradox. This book, published to considerable critical acclaim, explores the paradox and attempts to provide a distinct model' of the changes that comprised the industrial revolution.

$37.78

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More Information

Format: Illustrated
Pages: 156
Edition: New Ed
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 13 Dec 1990
ISBN 10: 0521396573
ISBN 13: 9780521396578
Book Overview: It explores the Industrial Revolution in terms of paradox and provides a distinct 'model' to study the changes.

Media Reviews

'... an intellectual breakthrough which, like it or not, will influence all our thinking in the future ... Brief though it is, the book makes a profound impression. Much research will be necessary to extend and modify it, but here undoubtedly is a major contribution of our time.' Sidney Pollard, Economic History Review
'General history is often interesting, but rarely important and searching. Continuity, Chance and Change succeeds on all three counts.' Julian Hoppit, The Times Higher Education Supplement
Wrigley's scheme has much to recommend it...It brings some enormously important and largely neglected aspects of the industrial revolution into the open, and creates a new and fruitful dimension to it by emphasizing phased growth and the element of chance in the presence of resources. It helps also to explain the fears felt towards it by contemporaries and the difficulties of imitating it elsewhere. It will stimulate renewed interest in the industrial revolution. In addition to which it is elegantly written and mercifully limited in length. Who could ask for more? Sidney Pollard, Economic History Review
General history is often interesting, but rarely important and searching. Continuity, Chance and Change succeeds on all three counts. Julian Hoppit, Times Higher Education Supplement
...required reading for all interested in the Industrial Revolution, for its key points are made with precision and pungency. The contrasting shapes for the preindustrial and industrial economies emerge with exceptional clarity in Wrigley's hands. Jack A. Goldstone, Journal of Economic History
This is a short book, offering more argument than proof. But it goes a long way toward reviving and redefining the notion of the industrial revolution. Wrigley shows conclusively that the industrial revolution was not `a unitary, progressive, integrated phenomenon' (p. 132). And that is a worthwhile lesson for historians of science and technology, for by revealing some of the complexities of the social and economic changes of the industrial revolution, he reminds us that the science and technology of the day was not a unitary, progressive, or integrated phenomenon either. Wrigley provides the economic, demographic, and social framework within which it can be examined. Steven Lubar
This short, thought-provoking essay is necessary reading for anyone concerned with the origins of the industrial revolution. Peter J. Hugill, Texas A & M University, in the Journal of Geography
As one would expect, this is a richly thoughtful book which every serious student of modern British economic history should read and ponder. Jacob M. Price, Albion
...this important and stimulating reinterpretation of some central issues in the industrial revolution should become required reading in the field. Donald A. Bailey, Urban History Review