In Praise of Hard Industries

Conventional wisdom says that that the future of the U.S. economy depends on its successful adaptation to a post-industrial, information-based global economy and that advanced economies should abandon manufacturing in favor of information-driven services such as finance, entertainment, and software. In this surprising and provocative book, financial journalist Fingleton argues that by every measure, including high-wage job creation and contribution to national income, the manufacturing sector outperforms the "new economy." America's long-term economic success, says Fingleton, depends on its strategic advantage as a manufacturer of sophisticated equipment and producer goods.