Beyond Steel: Pittsburgh and the Economics of Transformation

by Briem

320 pages, Paperback

Published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Troy D.Mix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, extremely well researched and written from the perspective of a lifelong Pittsburgh resident and keen, disciplined observer of its economy. Highly recommended for all scholars and practitioners of regional economic development who want to understand more than the simple, oft-repeated narrative of Pittsburgh's miraculous economic recovery.

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that does what it says on the tin. A good economic overview of the region's modern-era decline and various stabs at renaissance. Best read after reading John Hoerr's AND THE WOLF FINALLY CAME and at the same time as Brian O'Neill's THE PARIS OF APPALACHIA (which is how I approached it). You can read my 3,000-word review of the book here, which tries to situate it in this context:

https://www.realclearpennsylvania.com...