Overview

The culture of American capitalism and one of its most enduring features - bankruptcy The ""self-made"" man is a familiar figure in nineteenth-century American history. But the relentless expansion of market relations that facilitated such stories of commercial success also ensured that individual bankruptcy would become a prominent feature in the nation's economic landscape. In this ambitious foray into the shifting character of American capitalism, Edward Balleisen explores the economic roots and social meanings of bankruptcy, assessing the impact of widespread insolvency on the evolution of American law, business culture, and commercial society. Balleisen makes innovative use of the rich and previously overlooked court records generated by the 1841 Federal Bankruptcy Act, building his arguments on the commercial biographies of hundreds of failed business owners. He crafts a nuanced account of how responses to bankruptcy shaped two opposing elements of capitalist society in mid-nineteenth century America.

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9780807826003

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Reviews

This important book makes a major contribution to the history of antebellum society, economy, law, and culture, and to the history of American capitalism generally. (Christopher Clark, University of Warwick) Worthy of placement on the desk of bankruptcy lawyers, academics, judges, policy makers and historians. Even some debtors might benefit by reading it. ( New York Law Journal ) Balleisen has immersed himself in the financial remains of over five hundred insolvent debtors and reconstructed who they were, how they made and lost their fortunes and why, and what happened to them afterward. (Bruce H. Mann, University of Pennsylvania)

This important book makes a major contribution to the history of antebellum society, economy, law, and culture, and to the history of American capitalism generally. (Christopher Clark, University of Warwick)

Balleisen has immersed himself in the financial remains of over five hundred insolvent debtors and reconstructed who they were, how they made and lost their fortunes and why, and what happened to them afterward. (Bruce H. Mann, University of Pennsylvania) Worthy of placement on the desk of bankruptcy lawyers, academics, judges, policy makers and historians. Even some debtors might benefit by reading it. ( New York Law Journal ) This important book makes a major contribution to the history of antebellum society, economy, law, and culture, and to the history of American capitalism generally. (Christopher Clark, University of Warwick)

Author Information

Edward J. Balleisen is the Hunt Family Assistant Professor of History at Duke University, USA where he teaches courses on nineteenth-century America.

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