Cradle to Grave: Life, Work, and Death at the Lake Superior Copper Mines
Product ID: 117300214
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Concentrating on technology, economics, labor, and social history, Cradle to Grave documents the full life cycle of one of America's great mineral ranges from the 1840s to the 1960s. Lankton examines the workers' world underground, but is equally concerned with the mining communities on the surface. For the first fifty years of development, these mining communities remained remarkably harmonious, even while new, large companies obliterated traditional forms of organization and work within the industry. By 1890, however, the Lake Superior copper industry of upper Michigan started facing many challenges, including strong economic competition and a declining profit margin; growing worker dissatisfaction with both living and working conditions; and erosion of the companies' hegemony in a district they once controlled. Lankton traces technological changes within the mines and provides a thorough investigation of mine accidents and safety. He then focuses on social and labor history, dealing especially with the issue of how company paternalism exerted social control over the work force. A social history of technology, Cradle to Grave will appeal to labor, social and business historians. Review: Great UP history lesson - If you’re at all interested in the UP, the Keweenaw or the history of Michigan, you’ll probably enjoy this. It’s detailed but not at all dry. I grew up in the LP and now visit the UP on occasion; this book provided the missing history lesson I needed about the area. The UP, and KP in particular, is a unique place and becomes more interesting as you learn more about its past. Review: Hard times in the hard rock mines of the Keweenaw - Very enlightening historical docomentation of the lives of the copper miners in Michigan's Keweenaw Pensinsula. The process of the blending of the various ethnic groups that make up this region is eye-opening. The research behind this book is very in depth and portrays a very real picture of the good and bad events of every day life in Copper Country. I enjoyed this book very much along with others of Mr. Lankton.
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,173,684 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #117 in Mining (Books) #555 in Historical Geography #813 in Architecture (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 49 Reviews |
A**K
Great UP history lesson
If you’re at all interested in the UP, the Keweenaw or the history of Michigan, you’ll probably enjoy this. It’s detailed but not at all dry. I grew up in the LP and now visit the UP on occasion; this book provided the missing history lesson I needed about the area. The UP, and KP in particular, is a unique place and becomes more interesting as you learn more about its past.
L**R
Hard times in the hard rock mines of the Keweenaw
Very enlightening historical docomentation of the lives of the copper miners in Michigan's Keweenaw Pensinsula. The process of the blending of the various ethnic groups that make up this region is eye-opening. The research behind this book is very in depth and portrays a very real picture of the good and bad events of every day life in Copper Country. I enjoyed this book very much along with others of Mr. Lankton.
K**P
Enjoyed it
Good quality. Fast shippinng
B**T
The book was pertinent to my interests in the region.
The well-researched history of the Copper Country region during the prime years of mining provided insights that were of personal interest to me. My grandfather worked at the largest copper mine, Calumet and Hecla, before he died in 1919. Of course, there are still unanswered questions which I will have to pursue elsewhere but this book included a great deal of social and industrial information.. Other relatives worked in the mines early in this century but no one now living could provide the details offered in Cradle to Grave.
M**K
The book is in great condition otherwise
Beware! There are copies of this book in circulation that are missing pages. A copy I just purchased was missing p165-196. This was a printer/manufacturing error. The book is in great condition otherwise. Check your copy as soon as you get it. This is a decent but not very innovative or exciting history. Some will appreciate Lankton's focus on mining technology and the views of mine management/ownership. Lankton is very good at describing the workings of technological apparatus. This is essential because he spends a substantial amount time discussing mechanical devices and the book has almost no illustrations to help the reader understand what he's writing about. It is very readable though and a solid, comprehensive, and well researched history.
E**K
An Excellent Way to Connect with Local History
I read this book for a college class years ago and recently repurchased it. Still a great read that adds layers of thought and depth to living in the Keweenaw.
J**.
Terrific book with amazing detail
Terrific book with amazing detail. A must read for Upper Michigan area lovers and early U.P. mining industry enthusiasts. Particularly the Keweenaw Peninsula area!
D**C
It's a history of an industrial place few people know it's important
You will enjoy this book a lot.
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