Singer and the Sewing Machine: A Capitalist Romance

I very much enjoyed this book about Isaac Singer, one of the inventors of the sewing machine. Written in 1977, this book read like fiction even though it is a thoughtful study of the history of Isaac Singer's life and times. One particularly nice aspect of this book was the multiple times when the author would tell us about what was customary in that day so we could appreciate whether the actions of the players in the story were acting as was common at that time or were acting scandalously. This 244 page book kept my interest until perhaps the very end when the author covered Singer's estate and his heirs. I recommend this book so much that I was telling friends who weren't necessarily interested in this topic.

Once upon a time I would found this book fascinating. I have moved away from the subject. How can I be interested anymore? I live in Iowa and we are drowning in industrial animal waste.

This book is a very easy read because it is so interesting. I thought I'd have myself a book of facts and then I'd know, but this book has kept me up nights because it is so well written, it appeals to me because I am a collector of antique sewing machines, but the story (factual) of Isaac Singer who mostly wanted to be an actor is very interesting. Well written

As a Sales manager of a Singer Store in the 50's ME enjoyed reading about the original Singer. This book is not only interesting it's like a history and text book of a generation of self starting men. As ME's sales in the 50's were mainly on the High Line in Montana to more educated walk in clients, ME said he enjoyed reading in wonderment how Singer was able to get away with some of his "on the road" sales techniques and be such a womanizer.

This reads more like a thesis than a biography. Three chapters in and I tossed it in the trash.

It was a little boring but I enjoyed it

a very interesting book for those who are interested in the history of the sewing machine. I enjoyed it very much.

A very interesting history about a very interesting man. If you enjoy sewing and the history behind all your tools and gadgets, you will enjoy this book.

The sewing machine increased productivity more than tenfold. It was an important innovation. Unfortunately the book has too much about the Singer family and their legal and domestic entanglements and not enough about the creation of the business. It was a huge business. For example, the factory near Glasgow had 19,000 employees and its own railway station. I wanted to read how Singer and his associates created their business but I suspect that the author did not have the business and technical knowledge to write the book that was needed. I found the last few chapters to dull and irrelevant. Who cares who sued who.

Enjoyed reading it and it was in excellent condition