Imperial Germany and the Industrial Revolution

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Although initiated before the U.S. entered World War I, this work primarily examines the cultural divergences between English-speaking and German-speaking peoples and their economic and social consequences. Initially suppressed by war censors, it was released post-war and has since become a significant contribution to economics and sociology. The insights within remain relevant today. Charles A. Beard remarked that the author wrote for the ages, placing this work alongside his renowned Theory of Business Enterprise. Wesley C. Mitchell noted that the underlying factors contributing to Germany's efficiency persisted even under the Nazi regime, suggesting that past forecasts may still hold true. Lewis Mumford described the work as the best depiction of the residual barbarisms in German civilization, highlighting the roots of Nazism. This new edition features a compelling opening essay by Otto G. Mayer, a director at a prominent German think tank and editor of an English-language journal. Mayer's commentary not only reflects on the original work but also addresses the historical context of the German economy and society, reinforcing the belief that this book remains "a treasure chest of knowledge."