Andrew Carnegie : an economic biography
Record details
- ISBN: 0739189840
- ISBN: 9780739189849
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Physical Description:
1 online resource (xii, 125 pages).
remote - Publisher: Lanham : Lexington Books, [2015]
Content descriptions
Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references (pages 119-120) and index. |
Formatted Contents Note: | Entrepreneurial, entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurs -- Early life in Scotland -- Youth in Western Pennsylvania -- On the road to wealth -- A man of steel -- Labor relations -- Empire builder -- Philanthropist -- A summing up. |
Restrictions on Access Note: | NLC staff and students only. |
Source of Description Note: | Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed. |
Search for related items by subject
Genre: | Electronic books. Electronic books. Biographies. History. |
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- Choice Reviews : Choice Reviews 2016 May
Bostaph (emeritus, Univ. of Dallas) succinctly and effectively distills the career and economic context of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, packing the punch of a book twice its length. Although the author relies entirely on secondary sources, his sharp economist's eye adds considerable value to much heftier works, such as David Nasaw's Andrew Carnegie (CH, May'07, 44-5140). After a brief overview of how to conceptualize entrepreneurship, the volume methodically follows Carnegie from childhood in Scotland to successes in business and philanthropic endeavors. Bostaph shows that much of Carnegie's early success relied on questionable insider dealings with Pennsylvania Railroad colleagues but notes that his ability to adopt innovations, motivate subordinates, relentlessly cut costs, and efficiently coordinate markets was the ultimate cause of his phenomenal successes. The best chapter explains that condemnations of Carnegie's labor relations (especially during the Homestead Strike) are ill-founded, yet Bostaph is quick to criticize Carnegie's self-deluded misrepresentations and mistreatment of his key partner, Henry Clay Frick. Although the Kirznerian "market process" approach adopted by Bostaph is useful, the dynamic Carnegie who emerges in this biography comes across as a truly "unique being" along the lines described by Joseph Schumpeter. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels.
Copyright 2016 American Library Association.