The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt

Full disclosure: I have the book but haven't finished it yet. I'm enjoying it so far, much as I enjoyed the last book by T.J. Stiles, on Jesse James. Both books are highly readable, and provide a vivid, illuminating portrait of their respective subjects, as well as the society that made them (and which they came to shape). What compelled me to post a review this early in the process, is the flood of negative ratings - most (if not all) of which are about the e-book's pricing, not the book itself. Those criticisms, however understandable, have little to do with the substance of the book. This book and its author deserve better than that.

I don't often write "reviews" because I would prefer to spend the time reading. But Stiles new book demands high praise and unreserved recommendation to any readers who enjoy good history, colorful life stories and well written and compelling narrative. The Vanderbilt story, his times, and Stiles fine writing make this long history pulse with the "can't put it down" quality of a great mystery. This truly is a must-read, and a joy from cover to cover. At the end I only wanted more!

This is a fascinating look at one of the great men of capitalism and the dynamics of the 19th century. Amazing how much is relevant to the situation we are in today. Ignore the "one star" reviews of those who were complaining about the Kindle product (probably all the same person). Very sad when the review process is hijacked by cheaters.

A superlative and memorable biography, easily winning comparison with the works of David McCullough, William Manchester, and Robert Caro. While I joined with those who protested the original Kindle pricing of this book, and am gratified to see the reduction in price, I'll also say that the book is well worth whatever price you pay. It's without doubt a remarkable accomplishment and a rich display of Mr. Stiles' considerable talents.

"The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt" is an impressive and fascinating biography, wonderfully evocative of the quiet man with enormous power, influence and wealth. At the time of his death he owned five percent of America's wealth. Even though he was known as the king of the railroad, he was much more than that: he was the king of the steamboats and ships, and the king of industries and corporations as well. He built the original Grand Central Terminal in New York, and also the mighty New York Central Railroad system connecting New York with Chicago. This tycoon also had his share of pains, disappointments, sadness, and regrets that life offers all mortals. His son Cornelius Jeremiah's addiction to gambling and also the affliction of epilepsy greatly distressed him. Written in simple and lucid prose, the book is gripping and entertaining to the very end: "Vanderbilt was an empire builder, the first great corporate tycoon in American history. Even before the United States became a truly industrial country, he learned to use the tools of corporate capitalism to amass wealth and power on a scale previously unknown, creating enterprises of unprecedented size." Mr. T. J. Stiles has written a marvelous biography of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Reading this book was a joy.