Technology and Culture

Garrioch has skillfully compiled a well-organized and informative volume that delves into the role of mobile artisans in developing craft knowledge and skills during the early modern period. The contributors challenge traditional ideas about technology transfer and diffusion by highlighting the significance of improvisation and creativity in innovation.

The book weaves itself into debates emphasizing the role of artisans' tacit skills in industrial development, raised by historians such as P. Bertucci, Artisanal Enlightenment (2017), and L. Hilaire-Pérez, L'Europe des sciences et des techniques (2016). In J. Mokyr's "The Holy Land of Industrialism" (2021), it is argued that elite artisans and technicians provided the distinction that created Britain's Industrial Revolution. The Republic of Skill clarifies this, as the European geographical focus shows that artisans played a role in innovation throughout the continent during and before the period of industrialization. Moreover, this volume distinguishes itself from these arguments by emphasizing the critical role of migration in facilitating the flexibility required to innovate craft knowledge.

The book is of particular use to students and scholars of economic history, especially those who focus on merchant roles in economic growth, as the contributors highlight alternative perspectives, showing the integral role of [End Page 399] artisans in the creation and trade of new products and the intertwining of merchant and artisanal networks. Collectively, the case studies presented in this volume go beyond examining individual crafts or trades, providing significant evidence that contributes to broader conclusions about industrialization, skilled labor, and economic change. Importantly, the book highlights that the technological change associated with industrialization was embedded in artisanal mobility, with mobile artisans implementing and adapting many innovations and inventions to fit local settings.

Garrioch has taken great care to make the volume accessible to a wider audience, as demonstrated by its well-structured format. For instance, the inclusion of a historiographical survey by Bert de Munck helps readers navigate a complex subject. De Munck provides insight into established debates on guilds, innovation, and the secrecy of guild skills. This information is crucial in countering the misconception that early modern Europe was characterized by static populations with little knowledge exchange due to restrictive guilds. By including this chapter, the editor has proactively addressed common criticisms of historiographies of technology change and migration that focus on the rigid nature of guilds concerning new ideas, membership, and mobility. Together with the introduction, de Munck's chapter sets the scene for readers. It enables them to delve into the case studies presented in the following chapters and assess the link between migration and innovation in early modern Europe.

The second strength of this volume is its empirical depth, which is showcased through case studies. The studies focus on the social and political backgrounds of migrants, their migration experiences, and how these experiences influenced their skill development and economic changes. Including these perspectives is crucial in understanding how technological change occurred during the period, as it helps explain the process rather than just stating that it happened. Maitte's, Beerbühl's, and Rolla's chapters showcase this depth, highlighting how mobility was ingrained into the work-life cycle of crafts and that this mobility integrated innovation into everyday practice. The regular movement of workers caused artisans to constantly adapt their trade and skills. These chapters also showcase clear evidence that links innovative techniques to the experience of migration—an important breakthrough as it reframes debates that focus upon nationalistic cultural values encouraging innovations.

Where the volume could be improved is in the selection of certain chapters. The examples in the previous paragraph highlight research areas contributing to and refining previous arguments on the subject. On the other hand, Garrioch's and Sanchez's chapters reiterate already-established arguments. Garrioch's chapter argues that new knowledge created was inherently collaborative, a point raised previously by other authors. Sanchez's article presents an Iberian alternative, often missing in...