The First Age of Industrial Globalization

[A] thoughtful analysis of the past while pointing toward valuable lessons for our own time … [An] up-to-date, accessible, clearly written survey that maps an interesting framework for thinking about the creation of the modern global world. * H-Empire *
Accessibly written and thought-provoking for undergraduates and professional world historians alike. * Richard Warner, Associate Professor of History, Wabash College, USA *
This truly global history shows how, alongside statecraft and warfare, the sinews of commerce, technology and a new industrial capacity bound together the world in the ‘first age of industrial globalization’. Students of empire, economics and geopolitics will not find a more cogent or readable account of how these global forces shaped the modern world than this one. * Matthew P. Fitzpatrick, Professor of International History, Flinders University, USA *
Abbenhuis and Morrell’s text could sit easily on an assigned reading list for classes such as these, offering an up-to-date, accessible, clearly written survey that maps an interesting framework for thinking about the creation of the modern global world. * H-Net *
The nineteenth century was a great age of globalization. Industrialization, global migration, war, and the expansion of capitalist imperialism created a more interconnected world. Maartje Abbenhuis and Gordon Morrell investigate these dizzying changes with remarkable insight and clarity. They skillfully weave together international, social-economic, and cultural history to produce a book that will be necessary reading for global historians. * Daniel Gorman, Professor of History, University of Waterloo, Canada *
We have long been waiting for a good bite-size history of the international relations of the long 19th century, but we need wait no more. Abbenhuis and Morrell’s book breaks new ground by weaving a set of histories – of industrialisation and migration, of technological change and the flourishing of ideas – that have for too long been left in the hands of specialists. Far from developing in parallel, the authors show how these histories are deeply interwoven into the fabric of the period, shaping the outlook and policy choices of the principal policy-makers. This is international history at its best: drawing on global perspectives to pose fresh questions and draw new connections. A valuable addition to any reading list dealing with the foundations of contemporary international relations. * Neville Wylie, Professor of History and Deputy Principle, Sterling University, UK *
[T]he author of this review must admit that he did learn a lot, mostly because the book successfully puts together a history that is not entirely focused on Europe. ... . Every beginner – economic historian or not – would be well advised to read this 200-page book. * Connections *