Review of the paperback: 'During the decade from 1895 to 1904, more than 1800 manufacturing firms merged into 157 consolidated corporations, many of which in turn dominated their industries and became some of the best-known companies in the United States. In the three generations since, capable scholars in many disciplines have offered a variety of explanations. Now, in a clearly written, sophisticated, and remarkably concise book, Naomi R. Lamoreaux presents a synthesis and bold critique of that scholarship, together with strikingly original insights of her own.' Journal of American History

• Acknowledgments; List of tables and figures; 1. Introduction; 2. Product differentiation, mass production, and the urge to merge: competitive strategies and collusion in the late nineteenth century; 3. High fixed costs and rapid expansion: a model of price warfare and two examples; 4. Quantitative and qualitative evidence on the great merger movement; 5. What changed? the impact of consolidations on competitive behaviour; 6. The great merger movement and antitrust policy; 7. Conclusion; Bibliographical essay; Index.

Review of the paperback: 'During the decade from 1895 to 1904, more than 1800 manufacturing firms merged into 157 consolidated corporations, many of which in turn dominated their industries and became some of the best-known companies in the United States. In the three generations since, capable scholars in many disciplines have offered a variety of explanations. Now, in a clearly written, sophisticated, and remarkably concise book, Naomi R. Lamoreaux presents a synthesis and bold critique of that scholarship, together with strikingly original insights of her own.' Journal of American History

• Acknowledgments; List of tables and figures; 1. Introduction; 2. Product differentiation, mass production, and the urge to merge: competitive strategies and collusion in the late nineteenth century; 3. High fixed costs and rapid expansion: a model of price warfare and two examples; 4. Quantitative and qualitative evidence on the great merger movement; 5. What changed? the impact of consolidations on competitive behaviour; 6. The great merger movement and antitrust policy; 7. Conclusion; Bibliographical essay; Index.

Review of the paperback: 'During the decade from 1895 to 1904, more than 1800 manufacturing firms merged into 157 consolidated corporations, many of which in turn dominated their industries and became some of the best-known companies in the United States. In the three generations since, capable scholars in many disciplines have offered a variety of explanations. Now, in a clearly written, sophisticated, and remarkably concise book, Naomi R. Lamoreaux presents a synthesis and bold critique of that scholarship, together with strikingly original insights of her own.' Journal of American History

• Acknowledgments; List of tables and figures; 1. Introduction; 2. Product differentiation, mass production, and the urge to merge: competitive strategies and collusion in the late nineteenth century; 3. High fixed costs and rapid expansion: a model of price warfare and two examples; 4. Quantitative and qualitative evidence on the great merger movement; 5. What changed? the impact of consolidations on competitive behaviour; 6. The great merger movement and antitrust policy; 7. Conclusion; Bibliographical essay; Index.