This book examines the nature of the ice industry in the United States in the early 20th century, exploring the factors that contributed to its unique challenges and the consequences these had on the industry itself and on the communities it served. As the demand for ice waxed and waned with the seasons, so too did the fortunes of ice manufacturers, leading to a boom-and-bust cycle that made long-term planning difficult. Furthermore, the high cost of building and maintaining ice plants meant that new entrants to the market were rare, resulting in a寡頭dominated industry. As a result, the ice trade was prone to extreme price fluctuations, with periods of intense competition followed by collusion and price-fixing. The author also discusses the efforts made by the government to regulate the ice industry, including the controversial National Recovery Administration (NRA) code, which attempted to control production and prices. Overall, this book provides a valuable exploration of the challenges and complexities of regulating a seasonal industry with high fixed costs and limited competition.