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NATIONAL BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
In this groundbreaking biography, T.J. Stiles tells the dramatic story of Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt, the combative man and American icon who, through his genius and force of will, did more than perhaps any other individual to create modern capitalism. Meticulously researched and elegantly written, The First Tycoon describes an improbable life, from Vanderbilt’s humble birth during the presidency of George Washington to his death as one of the richest men in American history. In between we see how the Commodore helped to launch the transportation revolution, propel the Gold Rush, reshape Manhattan, and invent the modern corporation. Epic in its scope and success, the life of Vanderbilt is also the story of the rise of America itself.
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
In this groundbreaking biography, T.J. Stiles tells the dramatic story of Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt, the combative man and American icon who, through his genius and force of will, did more than perhaps any other individual to create modern capitalism. Meticulously researched and elegantly written, The First Tycoon describes an improbable life, from Vanderbilt’s humble birth during the presidency of George Washington to his death as one of the richest men in American history. In between we see how the Commodore helped to launch the transportation revolution, propel the Gold Rush, reshape Manhattan, and invent the modern corporation. Epic in its scope and success, the life of Vanderbilt is also the story of the rise of America itself.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Capitalism may have been wounded by recent events but it is hard to forget that capitalists in 19th century undoubtedly laid the path for America to emerge as the world's largest economy. Among that bunch of hard-nosed, ruthless, money driven businessmen was Cornelius Vanderbilt. At the time of death in 1877, he left behind a fortune of $100 million which equates to $143 billion in 2007 money terms according to research by the New York Times. This brilliant, unbiased and honest book by T.J. Stiles brings us the story of Vanderbilt's life.
Two salient points make the book very engaging. First point is the depth of T.J. Stiles' research while the second is the brilliant way in which he has described the saga. He does not offer the reader a dove-eyed account of the subject's life or some awestruck narrative of wealth generation or accumulation by an individual. Instead, this book crucially addresses Vanderbilt's bequest to American capitalism as a whole.
The subject is a difficult one. Capitalists would laud him, but Keynesians would hate him. Disciples of Adam Smith would opine Vanderbilt was the ultimate believer in market forces. Yet at the same time, his railroad and steamboat businesses often used muscle and money to constrict competition whenever and wherever they could.
His youth was spent manning his "budget" (often illegal) steamboat in to Manhattan before moving to starting a shipping business to serve the Gold Rush. A foray into railways followed in 1862, a business which burgeoned into the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad by 1869, earning him the sobriquet of "Commodore".
The Commodore, according to Stiles' account, was not one to be trifled with. He crushed his enemies and those who cheated him with an iron hand and a sort of ruthlessness befitting a motion picture schemer. In that day and age, at the peak of his business prowess, it is no exaggeration to say that everyone travelling between New York and Boston used either his trains or steamboats. A Wall Street crash came in 1873 but Vanderbilt still prospered.
While Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee) still carries his name following a $1 million grant by him prior to his death, the Commodore's real legacy lay elsewhere. By virtue of tenacity or ruthlessness, by hook or by crook, by stomping on throats of rivals or shaking hands with others, he put together America's first Mega Corporation.
Modus operandi and ethics of American Megacorps were to change in later years, but it all began under the Commodore's "not-so-very" benign and profit-driven watch. The author has brilliantly chronicled the man, his mission and legacy. This book is a good read for a general audience. Additionally those interested in Economics, American industrial and social history or capitalism would enjoy it even more.
Two salient points make the book very engaging. First point is the depth of T.J. Stiles' research while the second is the brilliant way in which he has described the saga. He does not offer the reader a dove-eyed account of the subject's life or some awestruck narrative of wealth generation or accumulation by an individual. Instead, this book crucially addresses Vanderbilt's bequest to American capitalism as a whole.
The subject is a difficult one. Capitalists would laud him, but Keynesians would hate him. Disciples of Adam Smith would opine Vanderbilt was the ultimate believer in market forces. Yet at the same time, his railroad and steamboat businesses often used muscle and money to constrict competition whenever and wherever they could.
His youth was spent manning his "budget" (often illegal) steamboat in to Manhattan before moving to starting a shipping business to serve the Gold Rush. A foray into railways followed in 1862, a business which burgeoned into the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad by 1869, earning him the sobriquet of "Commodore".
The Commodore, according to Stiles' account, was not one to be trifled with. He crushed his enemies and those who cheated him with an iron hand and a sort of ruthlessness befitting a motion picture schemer. In that day and age, at the peak of his business prowess, it is no exaggeration to say that everyone travelling between New York and Boston used either his trains or steamboats. A Wall Street crash came in 1873 but Vanderbilt still prospered.
While Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee) still carries his name following a $1 million grant by him prior to his death, the Commodore's real legacy lay elsewhere. By virtue of tenacity or ruthlessness, by hook or by crook, by stomping on throats of rivals or shaking hands with others, he put together America's first Mega Corporation.
Modus operandi and ethics of American Megacorps were to change in later years, but it all began under the Commodore's "not-so-very" benign and profit-driven watch. The author has brilliantly chronicled the man, his mission and legacy. This book is a good read for a general audience. Additionally those interested in Economics, American industrial and social history or capitalism would enjoy it even more.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I would imagine a huge amount of work must have gone into this book. The story truly is epic and spans a seminal period of US history. Vanderbilt seems to have influenced so many of the formative events of that time, far more so than the average run of the mill US president. He is admirable for his energy, intellect, focus, ferocious determination and straightforward dealing. He was also a buccaneer, obsessively frugal and competitive, and seemed to measure success entirely by the amount of money he could make and keep. The way he dealt with his family and his attitude to social matters would not attract much admiration today, but then he made his family fabulously wealthy and created many thousands of new jobs. More significantly, he helped breakdown the aristocratic cronyism inherited from the old world in ways which enabled the US to lay the foundations of its future wealth.
According to the book, and it is persuasive, Vanderbilt created and refined business models which are in wide use today. It reminds us of the old truths - success being a product of consistent, long term effort, rather than short term enthusiasm, the importance of being able to handle disappointment and failure, the willingness to develop judgement and take calculated risks, etc.
I loved the book because, amongst its many qualities, it is well structured, easy to read and avoids the kind of sensational treatment characters like Vanderbilt sometimes attract. It does not pronounce judgement. Rather, it demonstrates an even balance and historical scholarship. But, it also reads like an adventure story and could make a stunning film with a Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role.
My only criticism is that the although the book has been beautifully produced, I would have preferred a lightweight paper back version which didn't consume so much of the luggage allowance.
According to the book, and it is persuasive, Vanderbilt created and refined business models which are in wide use today. It reminds us of the old truths - success being a product of consistent, long term effort, rather than short term enthusiasm, the importance of being able to handle disappointment and failure, the willingness to develop judgement and take calculated risks, etc.
I loved the book because, amongst its many qualities, it is well structured, easy to read and avoids the kind of sensational treatment characters like Vanderbilt sometimes attract. It does not pronounce judgement. Rather, it demonstrates an even balance and historical scholarship. But, it also reads like an adventure story and could make a stunning film with a Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role.
My only criticism is that the although the book has been beautifully produced, I would have preferred a lightweight paper back version which didn't consume so much of the luggage allowance.
Format:Paperback
This is a magnificent book. If you like a biography and are interested in history and indeed how the modern, western world was shaped then this is rather good. fantastically researched and well written.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Insightful biography of Commodore Vanderbilt
Robber baron Cornelius "Commodore" Vanderbilt emerges from T.J. Stiles's biography as a captivating character and a ferocious competitor. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2009 by Rolf Dobelli
Exceptionally Multi-Dimensional View of the Man and His Times
"For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely?" -- 1 Samuel 24:19
Cornelius Vanderbilt was driven by a desire to best his commercial rivals while... Read more
Cornelius Vanderbilt was driven by a desire to best his commercial rivals while... Read more
Published on 24 Jun 2009 by Donald Mitchell
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