An Economic History of the United States: Connecting the Present with the Past

(Paperback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

This pioneering textbook takes a thematic approach to the subject, resulting in a comprehensive understanding of historic economic issues in the United States. Siegler takes a thematic approach, and provides both the theoretical foundations and historical background needed to gain an in-depth understanding of the subject. Every chapter examines a specific topic, and the chapters are linked to each other to provide an overall view. The chronological approach is represented with a useful timeline as an appendix to show where the specific topics fit in the chronology. Chapter topics include: long-run causes of economic growth; economic history of income and wealth inequality; slavery, segregation, and discrimination; immigration and immigration policies; and an economic history of recessions and depressions. This book is ideally suited as a primary text for undergraduate courses in US economic history, as well as suitable courses on history degree programmes.

Reviews

"Mark Siegler has come up with a genuinely new way to present an old topic: the history of the American Economy, designed for integration into a mainstream economics curriculum. The results are decidedly successful. Anyone teaching in or around this subject area should check this one out." Gavin Wright, Stanford University "For anyone learning their economics in the 21st century, Mark Siegler's textbook offers the perfect guide to how the American economy became what it is. This book neatly summarizes both how economics matters and how history matters. It ties some simple economic principles to our history, and shows time and again how the character of today's economic institutions are shaped by the unique historical path this country has followed." Peter H. Lindert, University of California - Davis "Mark Siegler helps us understand the run of American history through creatively employing economic theory." John B. Hall, Portland State University "Siegler has constructed an accessible, organized introduction to American economic history. The book enriches students' knowledge of economic theory and prepares them to participate intelligently in historically grounded discussions of current events." Amanda G. Gregg, Middlebury College "Siegler provides a fully accessible survey of the major themes in U.S. economic history. The weaving of economic theories into the narrative gives students a deeper understanding of both economics and history. This book is an excellent introduction into this exciting field." Jason Lee, University of California, Merced

Author Bio

Mark V. Siegler is Professor of Economics at California State University, Sacramento, USA. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from UC Davis, where his dissertation received the Allan Nevins Prize in American Economic History from the Economic History Association. He has also taught at Williams College, Bates College, Harvard University, UC Berkeley, and UC Davis.