Smithsonian Books Releases "American Enterprise"

American Enterprise: A History of Business in America is the companion book to a major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History opening July 1. The book surveys how the United States moved from being a small dependent nation to becoming one of the most vibrant and trend-setting economies in world history. It is a story of the tension between capitalism and democracy on the national level and, in the lives of ordinary citizens, between seeking individual opportunity and protecting the common good. The authors, curators at the museum, examine the points of view of both producers and consumers.

Illustrated with images of objects from the museum’s collections, American Enterprise includes a 1794 dollar coin, Alexander Graham Bell’s 1876 telephone, a brass cash register from Marshall Fields, Sam Walton’s cap and many other examples of innovative objects that have shaped American life. Historical and contemporary advertisements are also featured, emphasizing the evolution of the relationship between producers and consumers over time. Interspersed in the historical narrative of the book are essays from today’s industry leaders—Sheila Bair, Adam Davidson, Bill Ford, Sally Greenberg, Fisk Johnson, Henry M. Paulson Jr., Richard L. Trumka and Patricia Woertz—posing provocative questions about the state of contemporary American business and society. American Enterprise is a multifaceted survey of the nation’s business heritage and corresponding social effects.

About the Editor and Authors

Andy Serwer is the editor-in-chief of Yahoo Finance. He was formerly the managing editor of Fortune magazine, a regular contributor on CNN’s American Morning and a co-host of CNN’s In the Money. David K. Allison, Nancy Davis, Kathleen G. Franz and Peter Liebhold are curators at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

About the Book

Title: American Enterprise: A History of Business in America
Editor: Andy Serwer
Authors: David K. Allison, Nancy Davis, Kathleen G. Franz, and Peter Liebhold of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Contributions by: Sheila Bair, Adam Davidson, Bill Ford, Sally Greenberg, Fisk Johnson, Henry M. Paulson Jr., Richard L. Trumka, and Patricia Woertz
On-sale Date: 5/26/15
Price: $29.95 / Pages: 256
ISBN: 978-1-58834-496-0
Smithsonian Books

# # #

SI-250-2015