Perhaps John Steele Gordon is really Flash Gordon in disguise, because I always seem to read his books at lightning speed, taking in this 260-page trade paperback in a matter of just a few days. America’s business It was as interesting, entertaining and enlightening as the first Gordon book I ever read. an empire of wealth. Gordon possesses an uncanny ability to turn a potentially mundane historical business event into a fascinating, convoluted, and often tongue-in-cheek story that, in turn, left the reader wondering why teachers, professors, or colleagues didn’t offer similar details of such important events. Perhaps it’s just the way Mr. Gordon intricately weaves the details of the story together that makes the reader feel like he can understand or empathize with the businessman, tycoon, tycoon, or tycoon of the day.
America’s business it meanders through the early days of business in the wild, past the steamboats on the Hudson, through the industrial revolution and California gold rush to the dawn of the American auto industry. Gordon continues through technological advances, the business of war, to a couple of guys named David and William. David and William work in a garage with capital of $538. His story, like many of the stories in The Business of America, is certainly worth retelling, a story about ingenuity and perseverance, partnership and opportunity. Without going into too much detail, I think we can all agree that David Packard and William Hewlett found a way to get their modest company out of the garage.
One of my favorite stories in this business history of America revolves around the Steamboat monopolies and Captain Cornelius Vanderbilt. Surely Vanderbilt is a captain of industry; Many may not realize that he was also a captain on a steamboat. In a matter of a few pages, Mr. Gordon takes us from monopolies to steamboat racing, revisiting the most famous steamboat race of the day between the Vanderbilt and the Oregon, with a quick but easily understandable explanation of steamship building and strategy race along the way. The race wager was $1,000, no small sum at the time, and came about as the result of a challenge from George Law, a steamboat businessman and, as the surname might infer, a lawyer. Who won the Sing Sing race and back that day? This was just another interesting, fun, and educational story from our talented business history bard.
I would recommend America’s business to anyone interested in history or business. For those of you who haven’t yet read a John Steele Gordon book, I might also suggest an empire of wealth Prayed A thread across the ocean, both excellent works of business history by Mr. Gordon. Look for reviews of these books and hamilton blessing in the near future.