Commodore. The Life Of Cornelius Vanderbilt

Edward J. Renehan JR

ISBN 10: 0465002552 / ISBN 13: 9780465002559

Published by Basic Books, USA, 2007

About this Item

A very good paperback edition beautifully written and superbly researched The soft card covers are clean and bright and show very little wear while internally the pages appear unread pp xx 364nbsp.

Seller Inventory # 121787

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Commodore. The Life Of Cornelius Vanderbilt
• Publisher: Basic Books, USA
• Publication Date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0465002552
• ISBN 13: 9780465002559
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Book Type: book

About this title

Synopsis

Using previously unreleased archives, Edward J. Renehan Jr. narrates the compelling life of Cornelius Vanderbilt: willful progenitor of modern American business. Vanderbilt made his initial fortune building ferry and cargo routes for sailing vessels. Then he moved into steamboats and railroads. With the New York Central, Vanderbilt established the nation's first major integrated rail system, linking New York with Boston, Montreal, Chicago, and St. Louis. At the same time, he played a key role in establishing New York as the financial center of the United States. When he died in 1877, Vanderbilt left a fortune that, in today's dollars, would dwarf that of even Bill Gates. Off Wall Street, Vanderbilt was a hard-drinking egotist and whoremonger devoid of manners or charity. He disinherited most of his numerous children and received an editorial rebuke from Mark Twain for his lack of public giving. Commodore sheds startling new light on many aspects of Vanderbilt's business and private life including, most notably, the revelation that advanced stage syphilis marred his last years. This is the definitive biography of a man whose influence on American life and commerce towers over all who followed him.

About the Author

Edward J. Rehehan Jr. is the author of several books including Dark Genius of Wall Street, The Kennedys at War, The Lion's Pride, The Secret Six, and John Burroughs. He contributes to such publications as American Heritage and has appeared on the History Channel, C-SPAN, and PBS. He lives in Rhode Island.