The Industrial Revolution in the United States took hold in the 1820s with the founding of Lowell, Massachusetts, a city born of the textile industry. Twirling Jennies takes a look the social dances of that time and place, and of the following hundred years. Along the way, this heavily illustrated book touches on a wide range of topics including social mores, sexual harassment, architecture, immigration, pastimes, and more. The author has lifelong ties with textiles, dancing, and Lowell.