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Capitalists and financiers -- Fiction Books
Best books
Theodore Dreiser
The Financier: A Novel
"The Financier: A Novel" by Theodore Dreiser is a novel published in 1912. Based on real-life streetcar tycoon Charles Yerkes, it follows Frank Cowperwood's rise in Philadelphia's financial world. Starting with a profitable soap deal as a young man, Cowperwood climbs to wealth through investment and manipulation of municipal funds. When the Great Chicago Fire triggers a stock market crash in 1871, his corrupt dealings are exposed. As politicians use him as a scapegoat, Cowperwood faces bankruptcy and imprisonment while conducting an affair with his business partner's daughter.
Anthony Trollope
The Way We Live Now
"The Way We Live Now" by Anthony Trollope is a satirical novel published in 1875. Inspired by financial scandals of the early 1870s, it exposes the greed and dishonesty pervading Victorian commercial and political life. The story centers on Augustus Melmotte, a mysterious financier who arrives in London with grand ambitions. His railway scheme entangles aristocrats, a dissolute baronet pursuing Melmotte's daughter for her fortune, and various others whose lives become dangerously intertwined with his corrupt enterprise. Trollope's longest work dramatizes moral corruption across all levels of society.
Hilaire Belloc
Emmanuel Burden, merchant, of Thames St., in the city of London, exporter of hardware : $b A record of his lineage, speculations, last days and death
"Emmanuel Burden" by Hilaire Belloc is a biographical account written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers around Emmanuel Burden, a London merchant whose influence is depicted as significantly impactful despite his low profile. The book explores his lineage, business endeavors, philosophical views, and the events leading up to his death, emphasizing the quiet yet critical role individuals like Burden play in society. The opening of "Emmanuel Burden" introduces the life of Mr. Burden, starting with a reflection on how his contributions, though indirect, shaped social and political structures in England. The author notes that Burden was a man of considerable wealth and religious conviction, which allowed him to wield influence discreetly within various societal spheres. The text discusses Burden's lineage and his modest entrance into the mercantile world, detailing the early history of his family and their connections. It paints a picture of a man whose life is rooted in his business integrity as well as his domestic aspirations, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of his character and the circumstances surrounding his life and legacy.
Theodore Dreiser
The Titan
"The Titan" by Theodore Dreiser is a novel published in 1914. This sequel follows ruthless businessman Frank Cowperwood as he relocates to Chicago after prison, determined to dominate the city's street-railway system. Through financial manipulation and political alliances, he crushes opponents and rebuilds his fortune. Yet success proves hollow as society rejects him, his marriage crumbles amid infidelities, and his ultimate business ambitions remain frustratingly out of reach. A portrait of American ambition, power, and the price of both.
Max Rittenberg
Swirling Waters
"Swirling Waters" by Max Rittenberg is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Clifford Matheson, a successful financier grappling with the demands of his ambitious wife, Olive, and the moral dilemmas of high-stakes business. As Matheson navigates the pressures of his financial empire, he contemplates a significant change in both his personal and professional life, motivated by a desire to escape the superficiality of his current existence. The opening of the novel introduces us to Clifford Matheson on a pivotal night as he races to the Gare de Lyon, where he faces frustration from his wife and father-in-law for his tardiness. Despite their impatience, he is distracted by thoughts of an important deal involving the shipowner Lars Larssen and hints at a troubled relationship with his half-brother, John Rivière. As Clifford grapples with his weariness from the financial world, he reflects on a past experience involving his brother that implies a struggle between ambition and a longing for deeper meaning in life. The narrative sets the stage for a transformative journey, marked by themes of identity and moral conflict.
Thomas Dixon
The Root of Evil
"The Root of Evil" by Thomas Dixon is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in New York City and the mountains of North Carolina, focusing on the lives of James Stuart, a young lawyer, and his fiancée Nan Primrose amidst a backdrop of rising social conflicts and personal dilemmas. The novel delves into themes of love, ambition, morality, and the fight against corrupt societal influences, with the main characters caught in a web of expectations and desires. The opening portion introduces us to James Stuart, who reflects on his love for Nan while living in New York, watching the world around him with a sense of idyllic joy. However, his happiness is soon overshadowed by the realization that Nan’s mother is scheming to break their engagement by involving affluent suitors like John C. Calhoun Bivens, a millionaire. The tension escalates as James grapples with the prospect of losing Nan due to external pressures and internal conflicts regarding wealth and integrity. As James navigates his relationship with Nan and suitable career choices, a showdown with Bivens looms on the horizon, setting the stage for a confrontation over ideals and love in a rapidly changing society.
William Le Queux
The Pauper of Park Lane
"The Pauper of Park Lane" by William Le Queux is a novel written in the early 20th century. This intriguing narrative revolves around the mysterious circumstances involving various characters, particularly concentrating on Charlie Rolfe and his sister, Marion. As secrets unfold, the atmosphere hints at intertwining love stories, social class disparity, and hidden dangers, suggesting a plot full of suspense and romance. The opening of the novel introduces a compelling mystery when Mr. Warner, a buyer at a high-end drapery shop, speculates about the enigmatic shop assistant Marion Rolfe and her secret admirer. As Marion's brother Charlie unexpectedly bids her farewell for a journey to Servia, a sense of foreboding envelops their interactions. Charlie's connections to a wealthy and eccentric financier, Samuel Statham, raise questions about hidden motives and possible tragic outcomes. Meanwhile, the ex-Minister Dr. Petrovitch expresses concerns over his daughter Maud's feelings for Charlie, suggesting that both romantic and familial tensions are ripe for exploration as the narrative unfolds.
Harold Frederic
The Market-Place
"The Market-Place" by Harold Frederic is a novel published posthumously in 1899. It follows Joel Thorpe, a powerful financier who builds a fortune through a rubber syndicate and marries into English aristocracy. After achieving wealth and leisure, he loses his sense of purpose and the commanding strength that once defined him. The novel explores the ethics of money-getting and the role of ambition in modern business, presenting finance as a field for daring and imagination.
Charles Lever
Davenport Dunn, a Man of Our Day. Volume 2 (of 2)
"Davenport Dunn, a Man of Our Day" by Charles James Lever is a novel written in the mid-19th century. It follows the life of the titular character, Davenport Dunn, who finds himself embroiled in a tumultuous situation concerning a banking crisis and a potential run for gold that threatens his financial empire. The narrative explores themes of ambition, social class, and the complexities of personal relationships amidst the backdrop of political and economic unrest. At the start of the novel, Dunn enters a drawing-room where he encounters Lady Augusta Arden, igniting a conversation that reveals both tension and mutual admiration. The initial chapter sets the stage for a crisis as Dunn receives alarming news about an organized attack on the Ossory Bank, where he holds a significant position. This sets off a chain of events involving discussions of loyalty, public perception, and the responsibilities that come with success. The scene transitions to a dinner where further discussions about the implications of the news unfold, showcasing Dunn’s character as both a leader and a man caught in the intricacies of societal expectation and personal ambition. Overall, the opening portion establishes the imminent conflict that will drive the rest of the narrative.
George Gibbs
The Forbidden Way
"The Forbidden Way" by George Gibbs is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in the backdrop of Mesa City, a boom town in Colorado, where the rather ambitious character Jeff Wray is seeking his fortune alongside his friend Larry Berkely. Themes of ambition, love, and betrayal begin to surface as Wray navigates personal and business relationships, particularly with Camilla, a schoolmistress, and Cortland Bent, a rival in both business and love. At the start of the narrative, we are introduced to Jeff Wray, who is deep in thought over a legal document when his friend Jeff Wray arrives with visible marks from a recent altercation. The unfolding dynamic hints at a tension-laden relationship involving Camilla, whom Jeff feels possessively towards. As Wray and a colleague Mulrennan discuss business ventures and the risky nature of their dealings concerning the 'Lone Tree' mine, the reader learns of the competitive world they inhabit. Simultaneously, the narrative introduces Camilla's internal struggle as she reflects on her feelings for Wray and her circumstances in Mesa City, setting the stage for the intertwining relationships that will be explored throughout the book.
Upton Sinclair
The Moneychangers
"The Moneychangers" by Upton Sinclair is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a young widow, Lucy Dupree, who returns to New York City after years in New Orleans, where she married and lost a husband. The narrative introduces several key characters, including Allan Montague, a man with a deep history with Lucy, who now finds himself drawn to her amidst the complexities of society and its demands. The book delves into themes of wealth, ambition, and the moral compromises individuals make within the capitalist framework of early 1900s America. The beginning of "The Moneychangers" introduces readers to the anticipation surrounding Lucy Dupree's return to New York and hints at her complicated past and relationships. Reggie Mann and Allan Montague discuss Lucy, expressing eagerness and nostalgia. As Lucy reconnects with Allan, the text discusses her innocence and excitement about New York, juxtaposing it with Allan's more seasoned perspective of city life. The opening chapters also suggest a looming sense of tragedy, as Allan grapples with his feelings for Lucy, reflecting on the losses in both their lives and setting the stage for social dynamics that will unfold in the narrative, especially concerning Lucy's interactions with powerful men like Dan Waterman.
David Graham Phillips
Light-Fingered Gentry
"Light-Fingered Gentry" by David Graham Phillips is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book explores themes of societal dynamics and personal relationships, focusing on complex characters navigating their lives amid changing social landscapes. The narrative primarily centers around Neva Carlin and Horace Armstrong, delving into their troubled marriage and the ramifications of their emotional estrangement. The opening of the novel introduces Neva, a young woman of somber demeanor and beauty, who seeks a private meeting with her husband, Horace. Their conversation reveals a deep disconnect in their marriage, rooted in unfulfilled expectations and the lingering aftermath of a lost child. As they navigate their emotional turmoil, Neva expresses her desire for freedom, leading to a poignant discussion about their past choices that have led to their current dissatisfaction. The scene is filled with a sense of melancholy as both characters confront the reality of their situation, setting the stage for their individual journeys toward self-discovery within the confines of their societal roles.
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