Reflections in Bullough's Pond facts for kids
 |
|
| Author | Diana Muir |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Environmentalism, History, New England |
| Publisher | University Press of New England |
|
Publication date
|
2000 |
| Media type | Hardcover/paperback |
| Pages | 312 |
| ISBN | 0-87451-909-8 |
| OCLC | 42866181 |
| 330.974 21 | |
| LC Class | HC107.A11 M84 2000 |
Reflections in Bullough's Pond: Economy and Ecosystem in New England is a book written by Diana Muir. It explores the history of New England, focusing on how people and the environment have shaped each other over time.
The book was highly praised. The Providence Journal called it "a masterpiece." Publishers Weekly described it as "lyrical," meaning it was written in a beautiful, poetic way. In 2001, the Massachusetts Center for the Book gave Bullough's Pond the Massachusetts Book Award. They recognized Diana Muir for her "engaging and accomplished storytelling."
Contents
The Main Idea of the Book
Diana Muir's book shares an interesting idea about how the Industrial Revolution started in New England. She suggests it happened on its own, not just because of what was happening in England.
She explains that early New England families were large. They lived on small farms. These farms produced enough wealth for families to live well. They also helped all the children buy their own farms.
However, a problem came up around 1790. There was no more cheap, unsettled land available for new farms. Families had saved money to help their children, but there was nowhere for them to go. This changed after the U.S. government dealt with the armed forces of Tecumseh in the Ohio area.
During this time, New Englanders developed many new ways of making things. They created innovative techniques for manufacturing. This included making parts that could be easily swapped out (interchangeable parts). They also made very precise tools. These inventions helped southern New England become a world leader in industrialization.
Muir also argues that humans have faced big challenges before. For example, the Agricultural Revolution helped early humans survive when their populations grew too large. This happened after they hunted many large animals to extinction.
She believes the Industrial Revolution saved people in New England from poverty. But it relied on fossil fuels, which cause pollution. Muir suggests we now need a "Third Revolution." This new revolution would involve finding and using new types of energy and materials.
How Interchangeable Parts Began
One of Muir's most interesting ideas is about the start of Mass production. This is when many identical items are made quickly. She traces the idea of using Interchangeable parts back to Eli Terry. He was an early clockmaker in Connecticut.
Muir shows how Terry mass-produced wooden clock parts. This idea then spread through other clockmakers. One of them was Elisha Cheney. From Cheney, the idea went to Simeon North. North was an early gunmaker who used mass production. He also invented one of the first machines that could work with metal precisely.
Native American Life in New England
Muir's book also looks at the history of Native Americans in New England. She agrees with historian William Cronon that Native American cultures were active parts of their environment. They interacted with the ecosystems they lived in in many complex ways.
Muir uses information from archaeological digs. She argues that the Iroquois people expanded into lands held by Algonquian groups. But the Algonquian people started farming more. This allowed them to support larger populations. These larger groups included enough warriors to protect their lands from the Iroquois.
Economic Changes Over Time
The book uses New England as an example to show how human population growth and limited natural resources have shaped history. It explains how New England has often reached a point where its population was too big for the current ways of making a living.
The book shows how New Englanders, from the first Native inhabitants to people today, have solved this problem. Their solutions led to both planned results and unexpected consequences. The book has sections that focus on farming. It also looks at the machine tool and papermaking industries.
Awards for the Book
Reflections in Bullough's Pond received the following award:
- Massachusetts Book Award, 2001
