Reviews for History of the Great American Fortunes

The average rating for History of the Great American Fortunes based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2016-07-26 00:00:00 Tom Proko Fantastic. Gustavus Myers, from the muckraking tradition of the late 19th century, completely demolishes the false hero-worship of the great American capitalists. Myers wants to set the record straight on exactly what kind of lying, cheating, and stealing were necessary to amass the great fortunes of early America. John Jacob Astor especially gets taken to the woodshed for a serious thrashing. Myers begins all the way back in the 16th century with estates gained by both hook and crook - then moves through to the beginning of the 20th century. Myers's style is a little on the formal side, but this is my jam. I first heard of this book from Michael Hudson. Hudson refers to this book more than once in his book Killing the Host (another book I'd highly recommend). Apparently when almost no one in America would publish the works of Karl Marx, Charles H. Kerr & Co. did - along with this book. The influence of Marx is readily apparent in this volume.

Review # 2 was written on 2014-03-05 00:00:00 Ethel Bowles This is one of J.M. Roberts' best. A perfect blend of history, mystery and comedy — five days after reading it and I am still grinning at the book's most comic scenes. A Point of Law is a lesson on Roman courts: how Ancient Romans dealt with legal issues such as complaints, juries, arrests, investigations and, well, the law in general. As usual, J.M. Roberts made his characters so endearing to the reader that even "killjoy" Marcus Porcius Cato seemed so lovable. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger and the gang make you feel like they are your old friends, and whenever I put down another book (especially this one!) in this series, I feel really sad. If that's not amazing (as in deserving of five stars), I don't know what is. For me, a great book (regardless of its place in whatever critic or bestseller list) leaves you laughing/crying/heartbroken/mad/ecstatic for days after you've finished reading the last page. SPQR X: A Point of Law is a WORTHY book in MY book :)