Nuts & Bolts of the Past: A History of American Technology 1776-1860

by David Freeman Hawke

FIRST HARPER PERENNIAL EDITION. 1989 trade paperback, David Freeman Hawke (Everyday Life in Early America). A history of the men and the ideas that produced our factories, industry, and transportation systems. - Google Books

Genres: History

318 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

David Freeman Hawke was professor emeritus of American history at Lehman College of the City University of New York, where he taught from 1972 until his retirement in 1986.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting subject, but the writing is dull as dishwater.

[Kim Zinkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

INTERESTING

[Jaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to finish this one. As nonfiction goes, it's pretty dry. I understand why Smokey liked it, but I don't agree with the author's conclusions. I do agree that there was a lot of innovation and creativity in the decades he covers, but I think that was matched or eclipsed by the later decades of the Twentieth Century, never mind the opening years of the Twentyfirst.

[John E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Execellent introduction to the roots of American technology before the Civil War. Easy to read format with short chapters keeps the story moving quickly. Covers a broad range of items from the simple superiority of the ax to the over-hyped self promoters like Colt and Morse.