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American Phoenix: The Remarkable Story of William Skinner, A Man Who Turned Disaster Into Destiny
The remarkable story of nineteenth-century millionaire William Skinner, a leading founder of the American silk industry, who lost everything in a devastating flood—and his improbable, inspiring comeback to the pinnacle of the business world.
In 1845, penniless William Skinner sailed in steerage class on a boat that took him from the slums of London to the United States. Bec...more
In 1845, penniless William Skinner sailed in steerage class on a boat that took him from the slums of London to the United States. Bec...more
Hardcover, 432 pages
Published
October 16th 2012
by Free Press
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American Phoenix is a fascinating read. Sarah Kilborne brings her insightful prose to the story of the historic flood that killed 139 people leaving 700+ homeless when an earthen dam burst above the town of Williamsburg, MA,in 1874 devastating the
towns of Williamsburg, Skinnerville, Haydenville and Leeds. Although an excellent historic account was written by Elizabeth Sharpe (In the Shadow of the Dam:the aftermath of the Mill River Flood of 1874), Kilbourne brings the history of silk manufacturi...more
towns of Williamsburg, Skinnerville, Haydenville and Leeds. Although an excellent historic account was written by Elizabeth Sharpe (In the Shadow of the Dam:the aftermath of the Mill River Flood of 1874), Kilbourne brings the history of silk manufacturi...more
A bit of a warning -- I grew-up in this region, so perhaps I found this a little more interesting than other readers might. However, all readers should find something fascinating in this book because it touches on so many different subjects.
I was very very vaguely aware of the Mill River dam collapse and flood. I also had only vaguely heard of the now defunct Skinner Silk Company (and I am acquainted with one of Skinner's descendants). What makes Kilblorne's book so fascinating is that she rescu...more
I was very very vaguely aware of the Mill River dam collapse and flood. I also had only vaguely heard of the now defunct Skinner Silk Company (and I am acquainted with one of Skinner's descendants). What makes Kilblorne's book so fascinating is that she rescu...more
To be fair, I wasn't really sure that I was up for a biography type book. My main subject for reading is typically sci-fi or survival stories. That being said, I was very pleasantly surprised to find this book quite good.
From the start, I was drawn into William Skinner's life, and found myself wanting to know what happened to him next. The writing sets up the pictures in my head perfectly, and easily let me imagine what he saw and went through. The writing also does an excellent job of 'putting...more
From the start, I was drawn into William Skinner's life, and found myself wanting to know what happened to him next. The writing sets up the pictures in my head perfectly, and easily let me imagine what he saw and went through. The writing also does an excellent job of 'putting...more
I received an advance uncorrected manuscript of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. I recommend the book to anyone interested in this remarkable historic event, and the man who helped his town and people carry on.
As a Rhode Islander who grew up surrounded by textile and cotton mills, I was very interested to read about William Skinner and his silk mill-town. Sarah Kilborne quickly draws the reader into Skinner’s life and the disaster which ruins Skinnerville. The author skillfully...more
As a Rhode Islander who grew up surrounded by textile and cotton mills, I was very interested to read about William Skinner and his silk mill-town. Sarah Kilborne quickly draws the reader into Skinner’s life and the disaster which ruins Skinnerville. The author skillfully...more
"American Phoenix" is an excellent read about an event that, probably, few people outside of Massachusetts know about, but which had a significant impact on the early US industrial economy. It is also a great story about an era of America's history when immigrants with little more than a marketable skill, a solid work ethic and keen business sense forged the foundation that set the US on its path to becoming the leading industrial nation of the world.
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