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Book Review of The Gilded Age: A Captivating Guide to an Era in American History That Overlaps the Reconstruction Era and Coincides with Parts of the Victorian Era in Britain along with the Belle Époque in France

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When it was named 'the Gilded Age,' it was labeled appropriately. It looked like everything in America was turning to gold, but it was really gilt. Vast sums of money were made, huge businesses created, and transcontinental transportation systems built, but not everyone was swept along with all this wealth. The poor and the working class created wealth but did not garner the riches of their bosses.

I thought an appropriate statement about the Gilded Age was, "For the most part, the domestic policy of the early Gilded Age was focused on remedying the consequences of the Civil War." (p. 61) Rutherford B. Hayes initiated the merit system to replace the spoils system of governmental jobs. Future presidents continued civic improvements and antitrust legislation was passed.

This book explains rather clearly the tumultuous years of the Gilded Age. Many farmers lost everything, the economy went through tremendous ups-and-downs, and citizens were often left in the lurch. Unfortunately, as soon as Manifest Destiny had been achieved, the US government started looking with an imperialistic eye to the rest of the world.

Finally, this book takes a look at the changes that took place around the world during this important time, including Great Britain, France, Germany, and Japan. Tremendous changes took place in the world during these years. Out of the Gilded Age came a different United States.