The Artificial River
The Erie Canal and the Paradox of Progress, 1817-1862
-
-
1.0 • 2 Ratings
-
-
- $11.99
-
- $11.99
Publisher Description
Rediscover the Gems of Antiquity in The Artificial River
Woven from a rich tapestry of research, The Artificial River is more than just a historical account of the Erie Canal—it encapsulates a pivotal era in United States history, especially the monumental strides in engineering, commerce, and socio-cultural shifts between the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
Join Carol Sheriff as she vividly paints the human endeavor behind the making of the Erie Canal—an artificial river that irrevocably changed landscapes and lives.
This skillfully crafted narrative opens the door to the past, inviting you on a fascinating journey through time. The Artificial River immerses you in the lives of ordinary yet extraordinary individuals—farmers, businessmen, tourists, and government officials—who stood at the forefront of this significant transformation.
The Erie Canal wasn’t just a waterway–it was a lifeline that laid the foundation for the capitalist democracy we know today. The Artificial River is a cleverly bound chronicle of American commerce and the spirit of public good—one that’s sure to captivate history enthusiasts and casual readers alike.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
As an early-19th-century public works project, the Erie Canal dwarfed all others in terms of cost, size and imagination. By connecting Buffalo to Albany, the canal opened a waterway between New York City and the Great Lakes, dramatically transforming U.S. commerce and industry. In this work, which began as a dissertation, Sheriff, who teaches history at William and Mary, does an effective job of examining the impact of improved transportation on various segments of society: ditchdiggers, farmers, merchants, canal boat captains, politicians, housewives and missionaries. Most interesting is her finding that many of the motifs that define our current age began with the creation of the canal. From family values to government entitlements, and from government deficits to environmental destruction, today's issues seem to be reflected in this antebellum history. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Customer Reviews
Awful
Awful book. Was not worth the 12 dollars spent.