Just the Facts: Book Discussion Recap from March 24

Many thanks to the seven people who braved a damp, chilly evening to attend the book discussion. Their attendance, as always, was much appreciated.

The book discussed was Empire of Cotton: a global history by Sven Beckert. Cotton, for centuries, has been one of the most important commodities in the history of human existence. In this book, the author describes how the growing, harvesting, milling, spinning and weaving of cotton fiber into cloth actually created capitalism as we know it today. Along the way, it also contributed to the spread of slavery, the destruction of subsistence farming, the creation of city based slums, child labor, environmental pollution and the exploitation of labor. As cotton went from a secondary crop grown by farmers between rows of grain into a huge plantation based industry, it created the need for massive shipping and railroad companies, the insurance industry, the futures market, letters of credit and exchange, modern banking and government and military support to insure access to markets and raw materials. Cotton provided the prototype for such future integrated industries as steel, coal, oil, agriculture and, eventually, technology. Our conversation covered many topics and everyone contributed to it. Issues discussed included the Erie Canal, the costs of slavery and colonialism, subsistence versus a cash economy, unions and labor, workers’ safety, social safety nets and much more. It was an enjoyable evening.

Our next meeting will be on April 28, 2016. The book to be discussed, The Family: three journeys into the heart of the twentieth century by David Laskin, is available at the Circulation Desk. All are welcome.