A true-life tale of ruthless ambition, staggering greed, and the making of a nation. Four men--Collis Huntington, Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins--rose from their position as middle-class merchants to become the force behind the transcontinental railroad.

A true-life tale of ruthless ambition, staggering greed, and the making of a nation. One hundred forty years ago, four men rose from their position as middle-class merchants in Sacramento, California, to become the force behind the transcontinental railroad. In the course of doing so, they became wealthy beyond any measure––and to sustain their power, they lied, bribed, wheedled, and, when necessary, arranged for obstacles, both human and legal, to disappear. Their names were Collis Huntington, Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins, and they were known as “The Big Four” or “The Associates.” Their drive for money––nothing more, nothing less––was epic. Their legacy is a university, public gardens, museums, mansions, banks, and libraries––and to a large degree California itself, a state that even today owes its aura of “can-do” and limitless possibilities to The Associates.

"A first-rate look at the little-known story behind the creation of America's first continental railroad…Entertaining and well written." —Publishers Weekly One hundred forty years ago, four shopkeepers in Sacramento, California, rose to become the force behind the American transcontinental railroad, achieving along the way wealth beyond measure. To build influence and maintain power, they lied, bribed, and, when necessary, arranged for obstacles, both human and legal, to disappear. Their names were Collis Huntington, Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins, and they were known as "The Big Four" or "The Associates." Their drive for money—nothing more, nothing less—was epic. Their legacy is a university, public gardens, museums, mansions, banks, and libraries—and to a large degree, California itself. A captivating chronicle of a crucial period in American urban expansion, The Associates is a true-to-life tale of ruthless ambition, staggering greed, and the making of a nation.

An "insightful" (Publishers Weekly) history of the development of American capitalism and the men who made it great. Most Americans are familiar with the political history of the United States, but there is another history woven all through it, a largely forgotten history—the story of the money men. Acclaimed historian H. W. Brands brings them back to life: J. P. Morgan, who stabilized a foundering U.S. Treasury in 1907; Alexander Hamilton, who founded the first national bank, and Nicholas Biddle, under whose directorship it failed; Jay Cooke, who helped to finance the Union war effort through his then-innovative strategy of selling bonds to ordinary Americans; and Jay Gould, who tried to corner the market on gold in 1869 and as a result brought about Black Friday and fled for his life.

Written by an expert on financial analysis and capitalism, this book describes the widespread corruption and specific scandals that have occurred throughout history when ethically-challenged innovators and greedy scoundrels are unable to resist the dark side of corruption. Since the dawn of civilization, corruption has had a perpetual impact on the world's economies. In the modern, technology-enabled, global economy, the effects of those who manipulate free-market capitalism for their own gains regardless of methodology continue to be a problem, despite reforms instituted to attempt to discourage the most blatant practices. Business Scandals, Corruption, and Reform: An Encyclopedia contains more than 300 entries that describe the myriad aspects of corruption, business scandals, and attempts at reform, providing not only detailed information about specific accounting scandals and earnings manipulation but also a broad examination of the entire history of business corruption throughout human civilization. Reviewing all the major scandals from tulip mania in the early 17th century to the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008 and beyond, the author illuminates how corrupt actors in business and the attempts to eliminate these types of abuses have been instrumental to the developing institutional framework of free-market capitalism.

Learn life lessons from the expertstwenty-five business leaders who made their marks but did so with a bit of a twist. In this series of profiles, author Stephen K. Troy takes a detailed look at people who walked down nontraditional paths to achieve success. Many of these leaders are no longer celebrated or remembered, but their achievements changed the course of business and continue to influence society. Youll learn about the unassuming billionaire who gave away his entire fortune during his lifetime to better the world. Not everyone was so generous; one scoundrel stole billions. Some are more obscure than others, and this text brings their accomplishments to light. Leaders profiled include Aaron Burr, Henry Ford, John Ringling, Robert Morris, Frank Woolworth, Forrest Mars Sr., Daniel Ludwig, Iva Kreuger and many more. Whether you are a student, a business leader, or someone considering a career in business, youll be entertained, informed, and educated as you read Business Biographies: Shaken, Not Stirred With a Twist.

Make history come alive! This book helps librarians and teachers as well as readers themselves find books they will enjoy—titles that will animate and explain the past, entertain, and expand their minds. This invaluable resource offers reading lists of contemporary and classic non-fiction history books and historical fiction, covering all time periods throughout the world, and including practically all manner of human endeavors. Every book included is hand-selected as an entertaining and enlightening read! Organized by appeal characteristics, this book will help readers zero in on the history books they will like best—for instance, titles that emphasize character, tell a specific type of historical story, convey a mood, or are presented in a particular setting. Every book listed has been recommended based on the author's research, and has proved to be a satisfying and worthwhile read.