This collection of essays, like many originating from conferences, is rather uneven and at times lacks focus. More problematic, the volume purports to discuss “western” industrialization, when, in fact, with but one exception it is about the nature of industrialization in Europe. Taking it on its own merits, though, this is a valuable and important addition to the growing collection of studies suggesting an alternative to the idea of a single path of industrialization. As opposed to the concept that all countries and industries went through a rapid and traumatic transition to machine production and mass production using unskilled workers, these essays demonstrate the complexities and the range of choices taken by manufacturers in a wide variety of industries and nations.