Author
James Truslow Adams
1878-1949
James Truslow Adams (1878-1949) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by James Truslow Adams
The founding of New England
"The Founding of New England" by James Truslow Adams is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work explores the origins of New England, examining the discovery, settlement, and development of the region, as well as the ideological and economic factors that contributed to its establishment. The book aims to recast the narrative of early New England by integrating new research to better understand its historical significance within the broader context of American colonial history. The opening of the book sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of New England’s founding, emphasizing the importance of geography and the various forces shaping its early society. Adams begins by discussing the environmental factors that influenced settlement patterns and economic activities among the English colonists. He examines the challenges and advantages of the region's landscape, the social structures of the early settlers, and the interactions with Native American populations. Through this analysis, he aims to dispel the myth that New England was solely settled by religious refugees, highlighting the roles of economic necessity and political dynamics as critical components in the migration and establishment of communities in the New World.
Our business civilization : $b some aspects of American culture
"Our Business Civilization: Some Aspects of American Culture" by James Truslow Adams is a collection of cultural essays written in the late 1920s. The book explores specific facets—especially the more troubling—of American society, focusing on the pervasive influence of business ideals on national culture. Rather than presenting a complete overview, Adams concentrates on examining how business values shape America’s social, ethical, and intellectual life. The opening of the book, including the preface and initial chapters, clarifies that the essays are revised versions of previously published magazine pieces, intentionally focusing on what the author sees as problematic tendencies within American society. Adams introduces the notion that, unlike European nations with multiple sources of social authority, America’s cultural life has become overwhelmingly dominated by business men and their pursuit of profit. He systematically contrasts this with countries like England, where older institutions—aristocracy, the church, and the professions—still mitigate the influence of commerce. The early chapters critically analyze the consequences of this business-centric civilization, such as narrowed social values, increased materialism, erosion of traditional professions, escalating costs of living, and dissolving ethical standards. Adams contends that while business has brought certain material benefits, the dominance of its ideals has undermined broader cultural and spiritual well-being, fostering a society more concerned with profit, consumption, and external badges of success than with intellectual or artistic pursuits.