'As a history of child labor over four decades, labor historians, social historians, and economic historians will find this an excellent overview of the reasons why children worked and where they spent the bulk of their childhood.' EH.NET '... this volume certainly moves the history of child labour forward.' Rural History 'Rahikainen combines her vast knowledge of the field with a tendency to polemicize, but without pushing her argument too far. It enables her to hold the reader's attention and stimulates reflection.' International Review of Social History

• Contents: Introduction; Children in early modern manufacturing; Peasant children as part of the labour force; Child labour during the agricultural revolution; A century of factory children; The urban labour market for children; 20th-century child labour; Conclusions; Bibliography; Index.

'As a history of child labor over four decades, labor historians, social historians, and economic historians will find this an excellent overview of the reasons why children worked and where they spent the bulk of their childhood.' EH.NET '... this volume certainly moves the history of child labour forward.' Rural History 'Rahikainen combines her vast knowledge of the field with a tendency to polemicize, but without pushing her argument too far. It enables her to hold the reader's attention and stimulates reflection.' International Review of Social History

• Contents: Introduction; Children in early modern manufacturing; Peasant children as part of the labour force; Child labour during the agricultural revolution; A century of factory children; The urban labour market for children; 20th-century child labour; Conclusions; Bibliography; Index.

'As a history of child labor over four decades, labor historians, social historians, and economic historians will find this an excellent overview of the reasons why children worked and where they spent the bulk of their childhood.' EH.NET '... this volume certainly moves the history of child labour forward.' Rural History 'Rahikainen combines her vast knowledge of the field with a tendency to polemicize, but without pushing her argument too far. It enables her to hold the reader's attention and stimulates reflection.' International Review of Social History

• Contents: Introduction; Children in early modern manufacturing; Peasant children as part of the labour force; Child labour during the agricultural revolution; A century of factory children; The urban labour market for children; 20th-century child labour; Conclusions; Bibliography; Index.