Social History of Economic Decline: Business, Politics, and Work in Trenton

by John T. Cumbler

Nineteenth-century Trenton, New Jersey, was a booming commercial and manufacturing center for iron, rubber, steel cables, machine tools, and pottery. Trenton's golden age lasted until the 1920s, when many local industries were bought out by national companies. The story of the subsequent social, political, and economic decline of Trenton is also the story of twentieth-century urban America. John Cumbler analyzes the decline of Trenton in terms of the transition from civic capitalism to national capitalism.

318 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 1989

Reviews

[Chris Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. I grew up next door in Princeton and have Trenton roots. Trenton is a mystery to me and now less of one. The book inspired more of an interest in 20th century industrial decline - the reasons for it and how it happened. I believe that the story of Trenton is a story that can be told about many formerly productive and important commercial centers.

[Judy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, but fascinating story of my hometown. Some of my family had been skilled potters in the golden age of Trenton; others worked in the rubber mills. This book gave a great insight of life in the community for these people and their successors.