| Book Review | The American Historical Review, 107.1

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| Book Review | The American Historical Review, 107.1 | The History Cooperative

Book Review

Canada and the United States

Donna J. Rilling. Making Houses, Crafting Capitalism: Builders in Philadelphia, 1790–1850. (Early American Studies.) Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. 2001. Pp. xii, 261. $45.00.

This impressive work focuses on builders in antebellum Philadelphia. Donna J. Rilling's study is especially welcome since the construction trades have been understudied by historians. She examines in great detail the process by which structures were assembled, from initial raising of capital to the final plastering. The great strength of her book is its ability to unravel the complexity and dynamism of the industry; the author has a gift for explaining even the most elaborate developments clearly and succinctly. The antebellum construction industry turns out to be considerably more articulated and sophisticated than I would have suspected. 1

This book is based on monumental research in a wide range of sources. Rilling is completely in control of the evidence. I can think of few, if any, works of history that so closely recreate how work was organized and carried on; it is a masterpiece of historical reconstruction. One feels that if Rilling were set down in antebellum Philadelphia, she could supervise the construction of a building with little difficulty. . . .

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