The Book The Rise And Fall Of American Growth: Summary

Chapter 1 What's The Book The Rise And Fall Of American Growth

The Rise and Fall of American Growth: The U.S. Standard of Living since the Civil War is a book by economist Robert J. Gordon that provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic growth and technological progress in the United States from the late 19th century to the present day. The book examines the factors that contributed to the rapid economic growth and rising living standards in the early 20th century, as well as the challenges and limitations that have slowed down growth in more recent decades. Gordon argues that the U.S. economy has experienced a "great leap forward" followed by a period of "sluggish growth" and suggests that future economic growth may be more modest than in the past.

Chapter 2 Is The Book The Rise And Fall Of American Growth recommended for reading?

The Rise and Fall of American Growth by Robert J. Gordon is widely praised as an important and informative book on economic history and trends in the United States. It provides a thorough analysis of the factors that contributed to the rapid growth of the American economy in the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as the challenges and limitations facing the country in the modern era.

Many readers appreciate Gordon's in-depth research and data-driven approach to examining long-term economic trends. However, some critics argue that the book is overly pessimistic about the future prospects for economic growth in the United States.

Overall, The Rise and Fall of American Growth is considered a valuable and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in understanding the historical forces shaping the American economy.

Chapter 3 The Book The Rise And Fall Of American Growth Summary

The Rise and Fall of American Growth by Robert J. Gordon examines the factors that drove the unprecedented economic growth in the United States between 1870 and 1970, and the subsequent slowdown in growth since then. Gordon argues that the period of rapid growth was fueled by a series of technological advancements, such as electricity, the internal combustion engine, and indoor plumbing, which transformed daily life and boosted productivity.

However, Gordon contends that the pace of innovation has slowed in recent decades, leading to a stagnation in economic growth. He points to the limitations of new technologies like the internet and smartphones, which have failed to have the same transformative impact on society as earlier innovations. Gordon also highlights the impact of demographic changes, rising inequality, and the challenges of measuring technological progress on the economy.

Overall, The Rise and Fall of American Growth offers a thought-provoking analysis of the drivers of economic growth in the US and raises important questions about the future of innovation and productivity.

Chapter 4 Meet the Writer of The Book The Rise And Fall Of American Growth

The author of the book "The Rise and Fall of American Growth" is Robert J. Gordon. The book was released in January 2016.

Robert J. Gordon has also written other books such as "Productivity Growth, Inflation, and Unemployment: The Collected Essays of Robert J. Gordon" and "Macroeconomics". However, "The Rise and Fall of American Growth" is considered one of his best works in terms of editions and popularity. It has received critical acclaim and has been widely recognized as an important contribution to the field of economic history.

Chapter 5 The Book The Rise And Fall Of American Growth Meaning & Theme

The Book The Rise And Fall Of American Growth Meaning

"The Rise and Fall of American Growth" by Robert J. Gordon is a book that examines the period of rapid economic growth and technological innovation in the United States between 1870 and 1940, and argues that this period was a unique and exceptional time in American history. Gordon argues that the innovations and advancements made during this period, such as electrification, the automobile, and indoor plumbing, had a profound and lasting impact on American society and the economy.

However, Gordon also argues that since the 1970s, the rate of economic growth in the United States has slowed significantly, and he attributes this slowdown to a number of factors, including the waning impact of technology on productivity, the decline of manufacturing industries, and the rising cost of healthcare and education.

Overall, "The Rise and Fall of American Growth" provides a comprehensive analysis of American economic history and offers insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the country in the 21st century.

The Book The Rise And Fall Of American Growth Theme

The main theme of The Rise And Fall Of American Growth is the examination of factors that have driven economic growth and technological progress in the United States over the past century, as well as the challenges that the country faces in continuing to experience sustained growth in the future. The book explores how innovations in technology, education, infrastructure, and other key areas have propelled economic growth and improved living standards for Americans, but also highlights the potential limits and obstacles that may hinder future progress. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex relationship between innovation, productivity, and economic growth in the United States, and offers insights into the factors that have shaped the country's past growth and may influence its future trajectory.

Chapter 6 Various Alternate Resources

1. Book review by The New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/books/review/the-rise-and-fall-of-american-growth-by-robert-j-gordon.html
2. Interview with author Robert J. Gordon on NPR - https://www.npr.org/2016/01/28/463694554/economist-robert-gordon-says-the-best-is-past-it-may-be-time-to-change-the-narrativ
3. Summary of key points from The Rise and Fall of American Growth on Vox - https://www.vox.com/2016/2/11/10957962/productivity-gordon
4. Analysis of the book's implications for future economic growth on Forbes - https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimhenry/2016/01/18/the-end-of-american-exceptionalism-the-rise-and-fall-of-american-growth-by-robert-j-gordon/#351580a4479d
5. Author interview on The Wall Street Journal - https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-a-lot-of-numbers-tell-us-about-the-u-s-economy-1449047996
6. Book review on The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/04/something-pretty-worrisome-is-happening-to-the-u-s-economy-robert-gordon-wants-you-to-know-about-it/
7. Analysis of the book's impact on policy-making on Bloomberg - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-02/measuring-the-future-america-s-prospects-have-never-been-dimmer
8. Lecture by Robert J. Gordon on The Rise and Fall of American Growth at the Cato Institute - https://www.cato.org/multimedia/events/rise-fall-american-growth
9. Discussion on the book's findings on economic inequality on The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/aug/17/unfettered-capitalism-inequality-growing-america-robert-gordon
10. Podcast episode featuring a discussion on The Rise and Fall of American Growth on the Brookings Institution - https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brookings-now/2016/02/29/audio-books-podcast-the-rise-and-fall-of-american-growth/

Chapter 7 Quotes of The Book The Rise And Fall Of American Growth

The Book The Rise And Fall Of American Growth quotes as follows:

1. "The foundation for the growth of the American economy in the 20th century was laid by a unique combination of powerful forces."
2. "The rapid pace of technological innovation in the early 20th century led to a surge in productivity growth, fueling the economic expansion of the United States."
3. "The rise of mass production techniques and the development of new industries transformed the American economy and society in the early 20th century."
4. "The Great Depression and World War II led to a temporary slowdown in economic growth, but the post-war period saw a resurgence of technological innovation and economic expansion."
5. "The period from 1870 to 1970, often referred to as the 'special century,' was a time of unprecedented economic growth and technological progress in the United States."
6. "The rise of the automobile, electricity, and other transformative technologies revolutionized American industry and society in the early 20th century."
7. "The decline in productivity growth since the 1970s has raised concerns about the future of the American economy and the ability of technology to continue driving economic growth."
8. "The information technology revolution of the late 20th century has had a significant impact on the American economy, but its effects have been more limited than those of earlier technological revolutions."
9. "The challenges facing the American economy in the 21st century, including rising inequality and slowing productivity growth, require new solutions and approaches to economic policy."
10. "The rise and fall of American growth has been shaped by a complex interplay of technological innovation, economic policy, and societal factors, and understanding these dynamics is crucial for shaping the future of the American economy."

Chapter 8 Books with a Similar Theme as The Book The Rise And Fall Of American Growth

1. "Capital in the Twenty-First Century" by Thomas Piketty - This book explores the dynamics of income inequality and the accumulation of wealth in modern societies, providing valuable insights into economic growth and distribution.
2. "The Great Transformation" by Karl Polanyi - A classic work of economic history, this book examines the rise of capitalism and the social transformations that accompanied it, shedding light on the broader context of economic growth.
3. "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith - Considered a foundational text in the field of economics, this book offers important theories on the nature of wealth creation and the role of markets in driving economic progress.
4. "The Worldly Philosophers" by Robert L. Heilbroner - This engaging overview of the lives and ideas of influential economic thinkers provides a historical perspective on economic growth and development.
5. "Why Nations Fail" by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson - This book explores the role of institutions in shaping economic outcomes, offering a compelling argument for the importance of inclusive political and economic systems in promoting sustained growth.