3 comments about Half the Way Home: A Memoir of Father and Son.

1. A memoir of the author's relationship with his father, Harold, whom he did not appreciate or understand as a child. He grew up in a privileged environment, as his father was a wealthy businessman, but received a lot of harsh criticism from his father. However, after marriage and two sons, he developed an understanding of his father's background and an unexpected peace finally was made between them. A well-written, hard-to-put-down book--deeply moving.



2. Hochschild has written a gentle and elegant portrait of his family. I chose this book by pure luck (and Hochschild's King Leopold's Ghost). I have been rewarded handsomely. It is one of my absolute favorite memoirs that I have ever read. It disturbed me, it moved me and set me on the way to examining and recalling my own memories, especially of the beauty of lost summers of yesteryear. Yet the book is able to deal with the complexities of extraordinarily difficult relationships, class and race consciousness and the very nature of power in society in a though provoking and beautiful way. Most importantly, Hochschild teaches that the past and all whom we know and love will live on within us.



3. I read this book in 1988 for an autobiography class, and reread it about once a year. It is the only book that has ever brought me to tears. Anyone with a parent who kept their relationships with their children strictly formal will identify with this book.

5 comments about A Big Life In Advertising.

1. I love 1960s and 1970s advertising, so I enjoyed Mary Wells Lawrence's account of some of the best TV ads were created. YouTube proved great way to see some of the classics I had missed or wanted to see again.
   
   Nevertheless, this book is so messy it's hard to believe it came from a major publisher. It seems not to have had an editor's hand at all. Wells starts the book with her first major job in advertising, which is fine, but then suddenly jumps back to her childhood on page 166. We then get her early life until page 193, when we leap back into the advertising world we left on page 165. What?
   
   And, as another reviewer mentioned, the book is an absolute torrent of names: at some points, it feels like Wells has dumped the Manhattan phone book into her text. Most of these people you never get to know and they are never referred to again. Others just disappear: Wells' famous agency is called Wells Rich Greene, but I'm unable to find any mention of Rich or Greene after page 124 (the book is 300 pages long) and I'm not sure what happened to either one of them. Did they die? quit? change their names? In fact, after slogging through all those other people I met just once in this book, I had to check the index to remind myself what Rich and Greene's first names were. (Dick and Stew, for the record.)
   
   Finally, one of the other reviewers mentioned Gloria Steinem's assertion that Wells "tommed her way to the top." You could argue about that, since Wells seems to have done excellent work in a male-dominated profession. But some of Wells' work featuring women stinks. She still thinks the "Braniff Strip" commercial, in which flight attendants were shown to take off various items of clothing as they served you drinks, was a jewel of an idea. Check that one out on YouTube and prepare to be offended.
   
   All in all, I enjoyed this book, but it reads like something from a vanity press. Wells needed an editor with a strong hand. Doesn't Simon and Schuster employ those people any more?



2. I read this a number of years ago, so forgive me for "reviewing" in generalities, as I don't have my copy in front of me.
   
   I remember as I was getting to the end of this book an overwhelming feeling of uselessness and trivia. I LOVE the advertising field. Mary Wells Lawrence, unfortunately, presented only the surface and superficial elements of all that "occupation" entails. And "occupation" is the right word - because she pretty much described a job. No way was her presentation "a big life"... unless your definition of a big life is celebrity accounts and shiny things.
   
   Admitedly, in small parenthesis below the monumental title are the words "in advertising"... but even so, this big life could be as big as an ocean - but it's a very SHALLOW one.
   
   The autobiographical author drops the events in her life like bullets on a resume. All the things that really matter - and could have even affected her perspective on her "profession" - were conspicuously absent.
   
   Where's the color? Where are the life altering moments that define us as characters in ANY life... much less a BIG one?
   
   Winning a contract? THAT'S the big life?
   
   I'm so sorry, Ms. M.W.Lawrence... I'm sure you're a very interesting person... but I suppose I could only know that IN person. This so called big life written down is quite the sad little story.
   
   I'm pretty sure the little old man selling tomatoes down the road has a more interesting story.
   
   Pick another subject. Write another book.
   There are some subtle hints at bigness in this book, and I can tell you got it in ya'...



3. This book does a good job of providing insight into the world of advertising, as well as, providing an interesting personal journey into and out of it. It does a good job of blending the two so when you are getting tired of one some information about the other comes along. This keeps you from getting bored and makes you want to finish reading the book as soon as you can. Overall, a good book whether you are interested in advertising or just looking for a good story.



4. I was not expecting a lot from this book. It was recommended to me, and I picked it up in a half-hearted way. I thought it was something that I would breeze through and forget about. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised. I found it a book that I both enjoyed reading and would recommend. At least, I would recommend it with some reservations.
   
   The good sides of the book appear in her instructive stories about the advertising business. Lawrence brings the message across very clearly that advertising is relationship driven. A successful agency must focus on relationships both with the client and with the intended audience. Lawrence gives an example of success achieved by taking that focus to its limits.
   
   Perhaps the most fascinating aspect (and one that should appeal to students of business history) is advertising reception at a time that was much less marketing saturated than we are today. She had an opportunity to be a giant with emerging technology and in an emerging field. It makes for terrific reading.
   
   My reservation about the book has to do with the writing quality. Her tone is extremely chatty. At the beginning, I tripped over the awkwardness of the prose. The organisational principle of the book was vague. Timeframes shift without warning or explanation. Finally, while the mix of personal and business anecdotes was entertaining, there were times that it moved far too swiftly from one to another. Still, she gets points for writing this book on her own and not with a ghost writer. I have the feeling that the reader was better off with its flaws than with a more inauthentic voice.
   
   I am not in the advertising field, and I really enjoyed the book. People interested in one of the following areas should find something here: media, advertising, entrepeneurship, women in industry, business history, or pop culture. It also has a great can-do view of the world, inspiring to anyone who needs a push towards success.



5. This story of Mary's life has inspired me. I went to school for advertising but got out and started looking for a job bartending. It seemed easier and I liked the idea of tips. After reading this book however, I really want to work for an agency, maybe, just maybe my life could turn out somewhat similar to hers. I would reccommend this book to anyone interested at all in advertising, especially those in college looking at advertising as a career path. Then I'd tell those people to go to a portfolio school when they get out with their B.A.s.

5 comments about The Life of P. T. Barnum, Written by Himself.

1. Barnum is one of my "great american heroes." This is his life in his own words, written at the peak of his fame and success, and before bad things began to make him bitter. He is cocky, bemused, hilarious and thoroughly full of beans: he knows it and revels in it. If you ever have an interest in self promotion or promotion of any kind, read this book. Learn from the greatest master of marketing of all time.



2. Phineas Taylor Barnum (July 5, 1810 - April 7, 1891), American showman who is best remembered for his entertaining hoaxes and for founding the circus that eventually became Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
   
   In Brooklyn, New York in 1871, he established "P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan, and Circus", a traveling amalgamation of circus, menagerie and museum of "freaks", which by 1872 was billing itself as "The Greatest Show on Earth".
   
   There's a sucker born every minute" is a phrase often credited to P.T. Barnum. However, when Barnum's biographer tried to track down when Barnum had uttered this phrase, all of Barnum's friends and acquaintances told him it was out of character. Barnum's credo was more along the lines of "there's a customer born every minute" -- he wanted to find ways to draw new customers in all the time because competition was fierce and people bored easily
   
   Barnum wrote several books, including The Humbugs of the World (1865), Struggles and Triumphs (1869), and his Autobiography (first in 1854, and later editions including 1869).
   
   Barnum is a treat to read and is never boring! I highly recommend his books.



3. P.T. Barnum was a creative force in the worlds of advertising, museums, entertainment and finally, the circus. He was also a politician who held two high offices. He supported the northern view of the Civil War, he was anti-slavery, he constantly fought to bring the rich and powerful and regular folk together under one roof. He believed in the American Dream and that those that came to America had the curiosity to find out what was on the other side of the ocean for themselves. It was this same curiosity that led them inside museums and under the big top. He coined many phrases and terms used freely today. P.T. Barnum created worlds similar to worlds written by authors Frank L. Baum (the Oz books) and Mark Twain. Perhaps P.T. Barnum is not the best person to tell that story, but the book is a classic American tale of an American legend. Too bad it was packaged with mocking commentary on the cover and introduction which was completely inappropriate for display on one's bookshelf. It is difficult to tell why the publishers would sell the book when they have such obvious disdain for it. Everyone will always remember Barnum and not even buyers of the book will recall the names of the authors, but still, this is certainly not the way an autobiography should be published. Imagine buying a book of famous portraits only to find that the publishers have drawn mustaches on each one. As a collector, this is a waste, wait for another edition.



4. Even though this is the only edition of Barnum's autobiography in print it's advisable to skip this edition as the introducer is one of a proliferating number of reductive political hacks scheming at the cultural studies fringes who have weaseled into positions of "advisers" "editors" "introducers" and similar jobs extraneous to writing proper at publishing houses. Among them Caleb Crane who has used his homosexuality to secure positions at The Modern Library & NYT Book Review, S.T. Joshi leftist historical fabricator extraordinaire, and the current specimen a dogmatic Marxist who has authored a scurrilous tome purporting that Edgar Allen Poe secretly reduced the slave figures of pre civil war America, among other delusions. In doing this he follows his predecessor Rufus W. Griswold only the offences change, overdrinking was the politically incorrect gaffe in Griswolds time. What a poverty stricken outsider would gain by such activities is not explained, not even considering it's blasé materialistic crudity as interpretation. So unless you plan on ripping out the conceited Stalinist introduction avoid this book.



5. One of the most ambiguous figures in American history is P.T. Barnum. He was a legendary showman, curator, writer, entrepreneur--but he was also known for his humbugs. Many of his great successes were based on scamming and frauding the American public.

   He was a master of marketing and advertising. His ability to manipulate the media was a precursor for much of American life in the last 150 years. Barnum had a genius for drawing in the crowd and creating scandals. He was often the one who exposed his own frauds.

   This autobiography provides a fascinating glimpse into the man behind the legend and myth. Barnum begins with childhood and works his way through his life up to that point. This one is the original autobiography written in 1855. Many of his great triumphs like General Tom Thumb and the Jenny Lind tour had already taken place.

   It should be remembered that Barnum is telling his own tale so it would be wise to maintain a cynical stance when reading this tale. I often found myself nodding with agreement at what I was reading and then pausing to consider that Barnum may have been hoodwinking the reader.

   Overall, this is a compelling read in spite potential exaggerations. Barnum, for better or worse, is one of the most famous of all American showman. He set the stage for much of the entertainment world since his time. I found myself disdainful of some of his excesses but I came away with an overall appreciation for this man.

   The American landscape is richer for having him. He has provided us with one of our greatest myths.

5 comments about Succeeding Against the Odds.

1. After reading Earl G. Graves's bitter autobiography, I fully expected John H. Johnson's manuscript for success to be riddled with distain. I was pleasantly surprised however to find that Johnson; through such works as, Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill, and How to Win Friends..., by Dale Carnegie, made a fortune turning social negatives into profitable and professional positives. Having met eight U. S. Presidents along the way, Johnson's autobiography is a refreshing treatise on determination. It should be noted that much of Johnson's success came about before integration, when the African American community lived by the, "it takes a village," mentality. The nurturing he was provided during the early years provided for a favorable turn of events ultimately guiding him; not without the requisite obstacles, toward a life of success. John H. Johnson's, `Succeeding Against the Odds,' is a testament to the spoils of desire, determination, delayed gratification and a strong belief in ones self. Bravo Mr. Johnson, well done! I issue this glowing review however with a caveat; there are a few grammatical errors; thus, my conservative rating, nevertheless, this was a fun read.



2. I bought this Book way back in 1992.I always Admired Mr.John H.Johnson for all that He overcame&also for providing Ebony&Jet into my early childhood all the to the present. what He overcame&what He Accomplsihed is truly incredible. He created magazines that spoke&gave Black America a Fair shake at the Newsstand&also showed our world in a up-lifting light. John H.Johnson is a true Pioneer who trail-blazed so much for the better.RIP&this is a Must have Book.



3. This book uplifted the self esteem of me and many other African Americans. It was the story of a black man raised in rural Arkansas who had a dream. He figured out at an early age that African Americans wanted to know about what was happening in their community. There where only so many if any stories about us in Life Magazine. And if they did publish something about us it was negative. Why couldn't African Americans have a magazine of their own? One that told stories, positive stories about our lives, our heroes, and our history. This book gave me hope to know that even a lower middle class, African American boy from the Bronx like myself could grow up and strive for greatness amongst our people and the rest of society. John H. Johnson's publications are over 50 years old now and are still giving us stories that uplift our minds, bodies and spirits. Reading this book is not only a joy and a honor but it should be required reading for all African Americans and focal point of reading for all others.



4. In his book, Johnson states "There is an advantage in every disadvantage, and a gift in every problem" and "I believe that the greater the handicap the greater the triumph." By this he means to say that disadvantage creates opportunities and forces one to do more with less. He believed that disadvantages were "...challenges to be overcome and not facts to be accepted." A disadvantage provides a challenge that, with the proper motivation and mindset, forces one to try a little harder and work a little smarter.

   Two distinct disadvantages that Johnson cites are early in his life: 1) Arkansas City (his birthplace) did not provide a high school education for African Americans, and 2) The economic depression stemming from the Great Depression. These two disadvantages, when taken together, provided a sort of "critical mass" that propelled Johnson on the trajectory that is his story -- his move to Chicago and subsequent business endeavors.

   The fact that the disadvantages cited above were realized so early in life is worth note. There is a scientific discipline known as "Chaos Theory" that, among other precepts, states that the time evolution of a series of interrelated complex events is extremely sensitive to the system's initial condition. The analogy that may be drawn to Johnson's life is this: had he not moved to Chicago due to his ambition and his Mother's tremendous sacrifices for her son's education, it would have become increasingly difficult for Johnson to have succeeded to the extent he did, as chronicled in his autobiography.

   This statement is supported by the many references he makes in the book about the seemingly random events that led to his success as a businessman; Johnson states, "I'm scared someone with pinch me and wake me up." Thus, it seems that the many disadvantages the author faced throughout life, most notably (in his words) early in life, created an advantage, which led him to great wealth and notoriety.




5. I could definitely related to Mr.Johnson's story. It is inspiring, insightful, and truly a guide to those of us on the often obstacle laden road to success.

   Never allow your personal feelings or emotions to close the doors of oppourtunities. Where the is a will there truly is a way. His story is remarkable and his book enables you to understand that yours is too.

   Think and Grow Rich...

5 comments about Running Scared: The Life and Treacherous Times of Las Vegas Casino King Steve Wynn.

1. I am about 75 percent through the book, but I have a good feel for the writer and the content. I'll keep it short so you can make a decision.
   
   I think the book is really full of great Mob stories/conections with Steve Wynn. It is not as detailed as i hoped, but as a S. Calif. person who is intreged with vegas, it is a real eye opener.
   
   The main thing i dont like is that its not like a true biography. I have been reading a Disney biography at the same time and in comparison, its not as good, but then again, I dont believe Steve Wynn really contributed to it or allowed it.
   
   Bottom line, if you want to know about Steve Wynn and his amazing ride to the top of a billion dollar corp., read this book. If you like great vegas stories, give this a read. If you have personal feelings about Steve Wynn, you will either love it or hate it.
   
   Easy read, buy it used, and don't ever give a dime to a Wynn company (my opinion after reading the book).



2. If you're looking for a biography-style book about S.Wynn's road to being King of Las Vegas this really isn't it. I'm about 120 pages into it now, and I'm already flipping through to see if it is going to get any better. Here's a little on the book:
   
   VERY detailed! Assuming all is true in the book, you can tell there has been much research and hours of connecting people together in the stories in the book. Unfortunately, the book seems to be just that, many many small stories or bits of stories that rarely link together at once. The book really doesn't have a good time line -- it's all kinda scattered, and doesn't read very well. The worst part about the book is for me it seems the author has an agenda to destroy the reputation of S.Wynn. Every opportunity is taken to say how Wynn was asscoiated with crooked and shady characters. So many of these characters one would never recognize, so there is much wrote about why these characters are shady people, so we all will know just how bad the company of Wynn was. There just seems to be nothing good written about Wynn in the book (so far) and that doesn't seem to be changing. Maybe that's just how it really is, I don't know. There's no wonder Steve Wynn sued these people for putting this book out. If you really want a copy, you can look for mine on ebay. This will be the first book I haven't finished in long time.



3. This is an excellent book for anyone wanting to know more about the character of the man who is Steve Wynn. It is a true account of the way he has conducted himself over his history in Vegas and Atlantic City, not the image projected of him by Steve Wynn and his company. It is well written and concise. John L. Smith does an excellent job presenting the information, including several of the more uncanny incidents Steve Wynn has been involved in over the years by merely presenting the facts as they happened. He asks some very good questions that should have been asked but never were because of who the man is. He also points out numerous things that have been glazed over by the press and various agencies involved. Very informative. A definite must read.



4. So damaging to his super clean image, Wynn drove the original publisher into bancruptcy and tried everything he could manage to keep this book out of circulation. Steve Wynn vs. the First Amendment (1st 1, Wynn 0).
   
   Certainly did improve Vegas by leaps and bounds, but at what cost? Using public water to build his exclusive Shadow Creek golf course, buying art, jets and NY condos with stockholders money as the stock sank into takeover waters, untimately being shown the door by casino magnate Kirk Kerkorian. Once owned by MGM, things changed. The golf course was opened, the art, NY condo and jet all sold.
   
   How does one man undermine Federal law to build a dolphin attraction? he is on film meeting with a known mobster who used his Atlantic City casino (Golden Nugget) to launder money, but can't seem to remember anything about it.
   
   Fact: the son of a Bino Hall operator rises up to be one of the worlds leading casino developers and owners through some very shady associations. He influences Nevada politics as all people with money are able to, so no surprise there. The mob associations are clearly documented and associating with a convicted felon (Milken) is grounds for losing your gaming license, yet Wynn does so with impunity.
   
   Wynn has brought some great changes to Las Vegas, but after reading the other sidie of the story, you have to ask yourself if the ends justify the means.
   
   John L. Smith has done a great job with the facts surrounding Steve Wynn. Hat's off to him!



5. This book is a real page turner. It is amazing it ever got printed, given Wynn's many attempts to strangle the unflattering portrayal it in its infancy. That in itself is reason enough to pick it up and study it.

2 comments about The Outsider's Edge: The Making of Self-Made Billionaires.

1. The Outsider's Edge: The Making of Self-Made Billionaires is an unabridged audiobook analysis of seventeen modern billionaires who earned their fortune under their own power, including Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, George Soros, Steve Jobs, Ralph Lauren, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, and more. Close study reveals a remarkable common personality trait - all seventeen are outsiders, whose advantage comes from marching to their own drummer outside of the lockstep synchronicity of everyone else. Combining that unique quality with determination, intelligence, and ambition proved to be their catalyst to wealth. Read aloud by voice artist Adrian Mulraney, The Outsider's Edge is an excellent motivational audiobook that encourages the listener to hone his or her individual strengths. 12 CDs, 13 hours 40 minutes.



2. This is a very good book that looks at the background of 17 billionaires who are all 'self made.' It finds the common ground and attempts to find the links between those backgrounds and how they ended up being such sensational performers in the financial sense. It can be said that if you suffered from a difficult background or had a life changing experience or experiences, that this is often a catalyst for achievement (where one gets over those experiences of course!)
   
   All in all an interesting read. I'd like to be a billionaire anay difficulties I had in my childhood might not be significant enough to give me the push I need to achieve like these people - but you never know!

2 comments about Making the Impossible Possible: Leading Extraordinary Performance: The Rocky Flats Story.

1. This is an exceptional and, I think, an important book. The authors are trying to get at the things that enable the kind of exceptional performance that we all say we want and that some of us have been fortunate to experience at some point in our careers, if only briefly. We all know the kind of things that go into exceptional performance in sports whether for individual performance or as one of those "great" teams. While visualization was a revolutionary idea decades ago, nowadays we all know that athletes work with "pretty pictures". They focus on mental images of what they want to do rather than focusing on the mistakes they might make. It is the positive imagery that frees them to do the exceptional things they do and reach greater success than even similarly talented people who tie themselves in knots trying to avoid failure.
   
   This book uses the fabulous performance and success of cleaning up the Rocky Flats plutonium processing facilities as a real life example of Positive Deviance - of performing from Abundance rather than trying to manage performance by monitoring mistakes and poor performance. With the end of the Cold War and changes in America's nuclear program, several facilities that had been deemed vital (despite the intense environmental issues surrounding the processing of radioactive materials and building them into weapons) were now closed and had to be cleaned up. The original projections for Rocky Flats planned for 70 years and $36 billion.
   
   Instead, the team at Rocky Flats went through an internal process that took hold of Abundance and Positive Deviance. They dismantled the 800 buildings and cleaned the site in 10 years and for $6 billion. No other DOE facility cleanup has approached this performance.
   
   In telling this story the authors did several things right. First, they give us an overview of what the issues are - so you can begin to develop your own questions and challenges to the incredible story they are tell us. They then give us an overview of what Positive Organizational Scholarship and Abundance are about and what the literature shows us. And in telling the story of Rock Flats they use the words of the participants. This adds a great deal to the richness and depth of perspective into the way work happened and how it changed over time.
   
   Another way the authors help us understand the complex story of Rocky Flats is using the Competing Values model that was developed by Cameron and Quinn. It provides a means for analyzing the various cultural styles in the work place and how the level of success shown in Rocky Flats requires a paradoxical style. That is, it requires creativity and a free enough structure to innovate while at the same time requiring careful monitoring and measurement. There are many paradoxes that have to be managed in something as large and as complex as this cleanup.
   
   Along the way they raise several alternative views that could explain away the success of this mammoth project. With careful examination, it becomes very hard to give them much weight. Other views are also presented in Appendix 1. That the authors are so open about other possibilities for the success or that it is all an illusion I think strengthens their case.
   For me, the biggest reward came in chapter 9 when everything discussed previously is brought together in a very practical way. The reader is given a very practical explanation of the principles learned from this project and how to apply them in one's own work.
   
   So, do yourself a favor and open your mind to approaching work from the Abundance model rather than trying to find success by avoiding mistakes. It is not only a more successful way to work, it is a lot more fun and better for everyone around you.



2. this is a good book in that it provides a management model for consideration, explains it thoroughly, and then applies that model directly to a very interesting and challenging business situation. The idea that abundance - or driving for the ultimate activity - is doable is a new approach, and one that flies in the face of the "stretch goal" failure currently in management thinking. this books takes "beyond" and gives it texture - and real examples

2 comments about A. P. Giannini: Banker of America.

1. Most people today never heard of A.P. Giannini. Yet, they can probably thank him for most of the banking services that they take for granted: consumer loans, mortgages, interstate and branch banking. Giannini brought banking to the masses. Bonadio's book chronicles the life and struggles of this man who helped build California and modernized the whole business of banking.



2. When people say "You have a one track mind" they mean it as an insult.After reading this book about A. P. Giannini, you'll be able to take it as a compliment. What he did for banking in America we now take for granted. It wasn't always so. He had a single minded purpose, "To give the little guy a bank who will do business with him." He was going to do that no matter what! And he did.The man was a bull dog in his accomplishments! This an excellent book about a unique man who has largely been forgotten in our day.He created the modern bank.

1 comments about Financial Founding Fathers: The Men Who Made America Rich.

1. This book provides very good explanations of how the early American economy was financed. Would be a good gift for a college student majoring in Economics.
   
   However, I did not think the interesting concept at the core of this book was helped by the extended digressions into the private lives of the men chosen by the authors to illustrate their public policy points and financial explanations.
   
   Stephen Girard is titled "The Saint" for both helping his fellow citizens during an epidemic and funding a school for white male orphans. At one point, Girard's complicity in slavery (in that he owned a coffee plantation) is mentioned as his "one asterisk to our dubbing him for sainthood." Two pages later, Girard is described as having bribed customs officers, evaded taxes, violated usury laws, and manipulated shipping records to gain better insurance rates. Some Saint.
   
   The authors are better with the history of financial transactions and banking, than political history. For example, they call John C. Calhoun "illustrious" with " a distinguished career", while I think this Southern senator helped propel our country into the bloodshed of the Civil War through his long career of defending slavery as an institution and state's rights as his political God.

5 comments about The Man Who Made Wall Street: Anthony J. Drexel and the Rise of Modern Finance.

1. If your teacher wanted you to find reseach about business biography. This is the book for you. Because Wall street is part of trade center today. And finding about who's invented the system, and how life is hard back than. This book tell one of the most important History.



2. I am glad to see that such a good book was written on such an important figure in American Finance. The book kept me wanting to read more and more. From beginning to end. Read it, for it's a must have for any one interested in Finance and it's worth every penny.



3. As a great-great-great grandson of A.J. Drexel, it was a pleasure to read this book and to learn about my famous ancestors. It is crazy to think that many of his progeny have a difficult time balancing their checkbooks today. Before this book, my knowlege of the Drexels had been limited to family lore.



4. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dan Rottenberg's informative book The Man Who Made Wall Street. The book contains all there is to know about the wise and amazingly successful nineteenth century financier Anthony Drexel and the profound role he played as a mentor to the young J. Pierpont Morgan. I especially enjoyed reading about financial systems and processes in nineteenth century America that author Rottenberg describes so well in his new book.



5. "The Man Who Made Wall Street" is exceptionally written. Not an esoteric financial biography, yet deep enough for an intellectual discussion. Within the folds of 200 pages, you get a sense of the real person behind the financial machine. It is a brilliant biographical account of the leading figure in the financial world of the nineteenth century. There are many things you can take from this book. For me, it revealed that even 'starving' artists can find creative ways to make it and that there is often more to the person who chooses to remain behind the scenes.