Tracing the rise of hundreds of men and families to positions of wealth and power in the rapidly expanding iron and steel industry of the late 19th century, Ingham examines the manner in which these families consolidated and improved their social positions during the 20th century, even though the original source of their wealth and power had slipped from their grasp.

The only biographical dictionary on African-American business leaders, this volume provides biographies on 123 individuals. Covering significant Black business leaders from the early days in America to the present, it includes many individuals who do not appear in general African-American biographical collections, and provides extensive information that is not available in other sources. Each biographical profile provides comprehensive coverage of the individual, and includes comprehensive bibliographical information. The volume also includes appendices classifying the business leaders by place of birth, principal place of business, type of business, and women business leaders. An extensive general bibliographical essay provides information on works giving background information, and the volume concludes with a full subject index.

. . . includes biographies of 116 people whom the authors considered historically most significant' from post-World War II to the present. Its introduction is an excellent review of significant happenings in U.S. business. The rise of automobile manufacturing, which spawned service stations that resulted in customized auto repair shops, is one example used to depict the evolution of U.S. industry. . . . This is an important purchase for any public, academic, or corporate library that has a clientele interested in current U.S. business. "Reference Books Bulletin"

This work contains 116 biographies of American business leaders since World War II. Because many of these are multiple biographies, the dictionary covers more than 150 individual business leaders. The book features full-scale biographies, running several pages in length, on leaders who were chosen specifically to illustrate major American business trends from 1945 to the present. A detailed introductory essay places these business leaders within the context of the most important business trends of the time, providing the reader with an in-depth, incisive view of the evolution of American business during a period of critical transformation. The dictionary also includes a number of female and black business leaders, thereby charting their contributions to American business during a time when the civil rights crusade and the drive for women's rights opened up increasing opportunities for those groups.

Each biography in this collection is followed by a detailed bibliography. The backmatter includes a number of appendices that allow the reader to pursue biographies of business leaders according to industry, company, location of business operations, and birthplace, along with listings of black and women business leaders. This volume would make a valuable addition to any university or public library collection, and it would be of great use to anyone interested in business history or management.