Description: In the second half of the 19th century, America transformed itself into an industrial power, ready to assume a dominant position on the world scene in the 20th century. The development of industrialization and the consumer society brought about opportunities for many Americans as part of an ever-growing middle class, but also resulted in environmental and social degradation that we continue to deal with at the present time. < P>< I>Biographies< /I> includes entries on various notables, including Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, Jay Gould, Jane Addams and others.
