The Financier

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This powerful naturalistic novel explores the corruption of the American dream through the ruthless rise and dramatic fall of Frank Cowperwood, an extraordinarily ambitious Philade lphia-born entrepreneur. Set during the economic volatility of the Civil War and the devastating aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire, the plot follows Cowperwood as he uses his natural business acumen to manipulate stock values, secure municipal contracts, and build an enormous fortune through less than reputable means. The narrative strips away standard moralistic formulas to present a bleak, realistic look at capitalism, tracking how the protagonist's insatiable hunger for money, power, and high-society mistresses ultimately collides with political corruption, leading to indictment and bankruptcy. Heavily based on the real life of historical streetcar tycoon Charles Yerkes, this classic text stands as a devastating character study and a key foundational volume initiating an epic trilogy of late nineteenth-century big city business. Show more