Documents the decline of economic and intellectual wealth caused by the loss of U.S. manufacturing. Presents clear arguments as to why manufacturing is essential to the United States, and how our nation can capture, benefit, and drive the future of the world economy via embracing global concepts of manufacturing and taking the lead on innovating its future.

1. Background -- 2. Historical job losses in manufacturing -- 3. Loss of establishments -- 4. Observations on employment and the number of establishments -- 5. Manufacturing plant closings by size -- 6. Industrial production and industry output -- 7. Imports and balance of payments -- 8. Findings, a history of warnings, and corrective policy actions -- Epilogue -- About the author -- References -- Index.