ABOUT THE BOOK

Can American Manufacturing Be Saved? shows how the development and growth of American manufacturing was integral to the expansion of the United States from colonial times to the present day.  It describes how the Industrial Revolution began in the United States with the start of the textile industry in New England and how the American System of Manufacturing developed.  It outlines how key technologies accelerated the westward expansion of the United States during the 19th Century.   It describes how breakthrough inventions enabled the development of modern manufacturing and mass production. 

It provides a brief summary of the struggle by American workers to organize and form unions to improve their lives by gaining a shorter workweek, shorter workday, higher wages, and safer working conditions.   

It shows how manufacturing jobs became foundation of the middle class during the 19th Century and into the mid 20th Century.  It describes the important role that manufacturing played in the United States becoming a world super power during the 20th Century.

It considers the topic of free trade vs. unfair trade and what effect U. S. trade policies has had on America’s manufacturing industry. 

It shows the detrimental effects that the outsourcing of manufacturing offshore is having on the economy of the United States as a whole, as well as specific geographical regions. 

The book briefly considers the effect that industrialization is having on China and India with regard to their environment and the working conditions for workers.

It provides an analysis of the contribution manufacturing makes to economy of the United States and maintaining its position as a “super power.”  It clearly outlines why we should save American manufacturing and describes a sampling of programs and initiatives by federal and state government, trade associations, and non-profit organizations that are attempting to save manufacturing at the present time.

It presents specific strategies for manufacturers to use to help save themselves and recommendations for changes in America’s national public policy and federal legislation needed to save manufacturing in America.  It concludes with recommendations of specific actions that people can take on an individual basis to help save American manufacturing.

Everyone who reads this book will have a better understanding of the importance of manufacturing to the U. S. economy and will be motivated to do what they can to participate in saving manufacturing in America and preserving our pre-eminent role in the global economy.