- Hardcover: 368 pages
- Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (Aug 17 2001)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0471391026
- ISBN-13: 978-0471391029
- Product Dimensions: 2.4 x 1.7 x 0.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 694 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,607,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
The story of an industrial giant of the Gilded Age who looms tall over the colorless tycoons of today, H. Paul Jeffers's rollicking account of the life and times of "Diamond" Jim Brady is one of the most entertaining historical business narratives in recent memory. Born in 1856 into an Irish immigrant family who ran a saloon on the Lower East Side, Jim Brady had an early hunger for just about everything and the wherewithal to get it. At age 11, he went to work as a bellhop at the St. James Hotel, where the "genial, roly-poly, blue-eyed Irish youth" quickly ingratiated himself with the hotel's visitors and promptly spent his ample tips on food. A frequent guest, John Toucey, who worked for Cornelius Vanderbilt's railroad empire, hired Brady at age 15; soon Brady worked his way up to railroad equipment salesman, encountering precious few who could not be won over by his twinkle-eyed merriment, awesome generosity and gargantuan appetite for food. At a time when America was bursting at the seams with industrial expansion and newfound wealth, his expense reports were the stuff of legend; he celebrated each big sale by buying himself the best and gaudiest clothes and jewelry. But for all his larger-than-life boorishness, the man who emerges here is surprisingly cultured. For more than three decades, he never missed a Broadway opening; theater producers could tell where plays needed work simply by watching Jim's reactions in the front row. While Jeffers sometimes skimps on detailing how Jim amassed his fortunes it isn't until late in the book that we get a good accounting of his sales practices the story of this symbol of America's Gilded Age is filled with such gusto and vigor that even hardcore business readers will be swept away.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Even if many Americans are not familiar with the story of Diamond Jim Brady, very likely the name still rings a bell. Prolific author Jeffers (e.g., An Honest President; Sal Mineo) fully develops this superb historical biography of one of the more colorful characters in American history. Brady's story is a classic Horatio Alger tale of determined success. From his Irish immigrant roots in lower Manhattan, he eventually became renowned for his colossal eating, massive girth, and signature jewelry. Jeffers's spirited writing brings to life Brady's youth, his earl hard-working days bellhopping and selling railroad supplies during America's great rail expansion, his long-term relationship with Lillian Russell, and, of course, those countless 14-course meals. Jeffers deftly weaves together intriguing stage-setting explanations of the age of the robber barons, the crash of 1893, and that unforgettable era of unbridled wealth for a few in 1890s New York. As this marvelous story reveals, Brady's lavish lifestyle embodies America's Gilded Age. Highly recommended for all libraries. Dale Farris, Groves, TX
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most helpful customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
No one checked his facts!,
By William E. Wander (New York) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Diamond Jim Brady: Prince of the Gilded Age (Hardcover)
I wanted to like this book, but it seems to have been put together in a hurry. Mr. Jeffers facts were not checked. I don't know if I should blame the author or the editor. pg 305 - 309, Washington Roebling the NEPHEW of the Brooklyn Bridge builder died on the Titanic, not the bridge builder who lived until 1926.Brady is NOT entombed in Green-Wood cemetery in Brooklyn, he is in the ground in Holy Cross cemetery in Brookyn. pg 319 My head hurt from the mistakes! THey are throughout the book. I hope Mr. Jeffers is more on top of his other works - this one was painfull.
4.0 out of 5 stars
What 'New York' missed,
By
This review is from: Diamond Jim Brady: Prince of the Gilded Age (Hardcover)
This book reveals what, sadly, the recent Burns PBS documentary 'New York' totally ignored; The whole wonderful parade of characters and events that defined the Gilded Age. While the book has flaws (Reggie Vanderbilt was the great-grandson, not grandson, of Commodore Vanderbilt, and J.P. Morgan was not 'the most hated financier' in America) it still does a good job of bringing to life this epochal time. Especially enjoyable are the descriptions of the New York cafe and restaurant society (Emeril eat your heart out!!) that Brady and Lillian Russell were so much a part of. This book is a good starter for those beginning to explore this period. From here then read Strouse's 'Morgan; American Financier', Patterson's 'The Vanderbilts' and Gregory's 'Families of Fortune' and your off to a good start!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Social History,
By
This review is from: Diamond Jim Brady: Prince of the Gilded Age (Hardcover)
Someone once wrote that there is more to history than wars, treaties, and presidents. This story of Diamond Jim Brady and his platonic friend Lillian Russell makes for great reading of the gilded Eighties, Gay Nineties, and Naughty Naughts. The flamboyant Brady made his money selling railroad equipment and didn't hesitate to spend it on his passion for diamonds, food, or lavishing gifts upon others. It's true that Jim enjoyed advertising himself, but he did enjoy giving gifts to others. When he moved to his West 86th street home on Manhattan he refurnished it with entirely new furniture along with a complete new wardrobe. He introduced New York to the automobile which ran on an electric battery which had a cruising range of thirty-six miles. Since it would be bad for his image if it broke down, he had a friend test drive it for five successive days in the early morning hours. Most people eat to live, but Diamond Jim truly was one who lived to eat. His gustatorial tales fill the book. During the removal of a kidney stone it was found that his stomach was six times larger than normal. I will share a very funny line from the book regarding Jim's wearing of diamonds. It was a rule of his that "diamonds larger than doorknobs should be worn only in the evening." I did find that Diamond Jim had feelings of insecurity regarding his appearance when he was turned down in marriage from a woman named Edna. Jim lamented, "I asked her plenty of times to marry me and she always refused. ...There ain't a woman in the world who'd marry a fat, ugly guy like me." He also offered one million dollars to Lillian Russell to marry him, but she turned him down saying, "Why ruin a beautiful friendship?" If you enjoy American social history you have a treat waiting for you in reading this book.
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