Edward K. MullerCritiques

Edward K. Muller and Rob Ruck's new book, Pittsburgh Rising: From Frontier Town to Steel City, 1750-1920 (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2023) provides a fascinating view of the development of Pittsburgh through the lense of individuals who lived it. While its not a view through rose colored glasses, it frames the activities of the region which are often brutal and distrubing -- yet it shows great resiliance and truimphs. While so many people view Pittsburgh through the stories of the 19th and early 20th century industrialists and financiers like Carnegie, Frick, Westinghouse, Heinz, and Mellon -- this book provides us with an examination of the lives of common and hard working people who, without their labor, committment to establishing communities, and caring for one another would not have made modern Pittsburgh possible.

The source material is rich. They bring together many separate academic studies on immigration, migration, industry, western expansion, war, and biography by scholars such as Bodnar, Gottlieb, Faires, Weber, Ingham, Tarr, Hays, Glasco, Couvares, Lubove, Montgomery, and Dickerson, into a cohesive focus, one that tells the story of the people of the region in engaging and approachable ways.

Excellent Read! Thanks Ted and Rob!