An American Business Aristocracy: Philadelphia Gentlemen, the Making of a National Upper Class

An American Business Aristocracy: Philadelphia Gentlemen, The Making Of A National Upper Class is a book written by Edward Digby Baltzell. This book explores the history and development of the American upper class, with a particular focus on the elite families of Philadelphia. Baltzell argues that these families, which he refers to as ""Philadelphia gentlemen"", played a crucial role in shaping the social and economic landscape of the United States.The book begins by tracing the origins of the Philadelphia elite, from the colonial period through the early 20th century. Baltzell examines the social and economic factors that contributed to the rise of this class, including the city's status as a major commercial center and its strong Quaker heritage. He also explores the ways in which the Philadelphia elite maintained their status over time, including through intermarriage and the establishment of exclusive social clubs.Throughout the book, Baltzell emphasizes the role of the Philadelphia elite in shaping American society more broadly. He argues that these families played a key role in the development of American capitalism, and that their values and attitudes continue to influence the country's political and economic landscape to this day.Overall, An American Business Aristocracy: Philadelphia Gentlemen, The Making Of A National Upper Class is a comprehensive and insightful look at the history of the American elite. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of American society and the forces that have shaped it over time.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.