Allen, Robert C. The British Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective. 2010. Explains the origins of the Industrial Revolution and why it took place in Britain and not elsewhere.

Davidoff, Leonore, and Catherine Hall. Family Fortunes: Men and Women of the English Middle Class, 1750–1850, rev. ed. 2003. Examines both economic activities and cultural beliefs with great skill.

Dolan, Brian. Wedgwood: The First Tycoon. 2004. A comprehensive study of the famous entrepreneur.

Gaskell, Elizabeth. Mary Barton. 1848. Gaskell’s famous novel offers a realistic portrayal of the new industrial society.

Goodman, Jordan, and Katrina Honeyman. Gainful Pursuits: The Making of Industrial Europe, 1600–1914. 1988. An excellent general treatment of European industrial growth.

Griffin, Emma. A Short History of the British Industrial Revolution. 2010. An accessible and lively introduction to the subject.

Horn, Jeff, Leonard N. Rosenband, and Merritt Roe Smith. Reconceptualizing the Industrial Revolution. 2010. A collection of essays by leading scholars that re-examines the most contentious debates in the field.

Humphries, Jane. Childhood and Child Labour in the British Industrial Revolution. 2010. A moving account of the experience of children during the Industrial Revolution, based on numerous workers’ autobiographies.

James, Harold. Family Capitalism. 2006. A study of the entrepreneurial dynasties of the British Industrial Revolution.

Mokyr, Joel. The Enlightened Economy: An Economic History of Britain, 1700–1850. 2009. A masterful explanation of industrialization and economic growth in Britain that emphasizes the impact of Enlightenment openness and curiosity.

Prados de la Escosura, Leandro, ed. Exceptionalism and Industrialisation: Britain and Its European Rivals, 1688–1815. 2004. Compares the path toward economic development in Britain with that of the rest of Europe.

Rosenthal, Jean-Laurent, and R. Bin Wong. Before and Beyond Divergence: The Politics of Economic Change in China and Europe. 2011. A study of the similarities and differences between Europe and China that led to the origins and growth of industrialization in Europe.

Stearns, Peter N. The Industrial Revolution in World History, 3d ed. 2007. A useful brief survey.

Valenze, Deborah. The First Industrial Woman. 1995. A gender study that reinvigorates the debate between optimists and pessimists about the consequences of industrialization in Britain.