Illustrations of Political Economy, Vol. I (in 9 Volumes)

Set against the backdrop of England's free-market economy in the early 1830s, this collection of 24 short stories explores pressing social and political issues such as overpopulation, labor conflicts, and the struggles of the working class. Harriet Martineau's work, though viewed as politically radical by some, resonated with readers and significantly influenced later writers like Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell, shaping the landscape of socially conscious literature.