The Belles of New England: The Women of the Textile Mills and the Families Whose Wealth They Wove

The Belles of New England is a masterful definitive and eloquent look at the enormous cultural and economic impact on America of New Englands textile mills. The author an award-winning CBS producer traces the history of American textile manufacturing back to the ingenuity of Francis Cabot Lodge. The early mills were an experiment in benevolent enlightened social responsibility on the part of the wealthy owners who belonged to many of Bostons finest families. But the fledgling industrys ever-increasing profits were inextricably bound to the issues of slavery immigration and workers rights.. William Moran brings a newsmans eye for the telling detail to this fascinating saga that is equally compelling when dealing with rags and when dealing with riches. In part a microcosm of Americas social development during the period The Belles of New England casts a new and finer light on this rich tapestry of vast wealth greed discrimination and courage.