Author and Professor Burton Folsom, Jr. provides US economic history that has been neglected in classrooms. An alternative to the distorted depiction of those nineteenth century businessmen who greatly influenced the growth of this country is provided in an eminently accessible volume. Dr. Folsom demonstrates that the corruption, ruthlessness and inefficiency of entrepreneurs were in direct proportion to the amount of aid and protection from competitors they received from the government. The Vanderbilt’s, Rockefellers, Hills were vilified for ruining ‘political entrepreneurs’ and their bureaucratic sponsors. They did so by offering products and services more efficiently, and at lower cost. In the process, notes Folsom, they created jobs, improved working conditions and made America the envy of the world. – A must for anyone who understands and supports free markets. |
