Encyclopedia of American Recessions and Depressions: 2 volumes - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 159884945X ISBN 13: 9781598849455

Publisher: ABC-CLIO, 2014

Synopsis

A riveting look at the financial cycles in American economic history from colonial times to the present day, with an eye on the similarities and differences between past and present conditions as analyzed by leading economic historians.

· Offers excerpts from more than 65 primary documents that illustrate the nature of the economic events covered; each document is preceded by a brief introduction, putting the document into context for readers

· Includes contributions from diverse experts ranging from veteran economists to young scholars

· Offers an extensive bibliography of relevant books, articles, primary sources, websites, and videos to prompt further research into the topic

· Reveals the causes and after-effects of recessions in the social, economic, and political trajectory of the United States

About this title

About the Author:

Daniel J. Leab is professor of history at Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, where he was director of American studies and founding director of the university's multicultural program.

From Booklist:

This noteworthy set encompasses the 14 largest and most important economic downturns in U.S. history, from the Critical Period following the Revolutionary War to the recent Great Recession of 2008–9. The Encyclopedia of American Recessions and Depressions presents all the wild market fluctuations from American history in readable prose, expansive coverage, and solid scholarship. Each chapter begins with a lengthy signed overview essay that gives users a decent amount of historical context of the economic slump under consideration. Concluding each chapter are related short entries that deal with particular aspects of the downturn. For example, chapter 2, The Embargo Era, 1807–1809, consists of an 18-page essay, followed by shorter entries covering important topics such as Burr conspiracy cases of 1807, Non-Intercourse Act (1809), and several brief biographies of key people. Chapter 4, Panic of 1837, provides a lucid introduction that explains both the causes and consequences of the panic as well as individual entries on Brook Farm, John Deere, Lowell Mills, and the Specie circular. The highlight of the set just might be the final chapter, on the Great Recession of 2008–2009, with short entries for Goldman Sachs, Hedge funds, Bernard Madoff, Occupy Wall Street, and Tea party. Volume 2 concludes with more than 60 chronologically arranged, well-chosen primary documents from each of the previous chapters. Examples include Thomas Jefferson’s Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Bank of the United States (1791), President Jackson’s Bank Veto of 1832, FDR’s first inagural address (March 4, 1933), and President Obama’s 2008 victory speech. The utility of this set lies in its interdisciplinary approach to American history. The risk with a reference work such as this is that it draws such a narrow audience that it pushes itself outside of most collection-development plans. However, wise selectors understand the value of reference works that support multiple curricula in one swoop and should eagerly acquire this set. Recommended for academic and most large public libraries. --Brian Odom

About this edition

• Publisher: ABC-CLIO
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 159884945X
• ISBN 13: 9781598849455
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 1000
• Editor: Leab Daniel