The Scarlet Woman of Wall Street: Jay Gould, Jim Fisk, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and the Erie Railway Wars Hardcover – January 1, 1988

Anyone who has an interest in the Guilded Age and its more affluent citizens will love this.

I read a lot of economic history, from the boring to the sublime to the terrible. This is the most enjoyable read of them all. The writing style is brisk and fast-moving. The characters are colorful and true, and at the end you have learned far more than you realized about the American financial system.Favorite quote from Cornelius Vanderbilt: "Gentlemen: You have undertaken to cheat me. I won't sue you, for the law is too slow. I'll ruin you. Sincerely yours, Cornelius Vanderbilt" (p. 66)

I bought this book as a gift for my husband. He thoroughly enjoyed this book and says he would rate it four and a half out of five stars. I rounded up based on the parts he read aloud to me and because my sister-in-law read it next and also thought it was a great read. It has great detail, humor and a lot of information about Wall Street.

Great History of Wall Street and some of its major players in the 1800's. Written exceptionally well (almost poetically). I will definitely pick up some other John Steele Gordon books.

The history of regulation, or lack of it, should be studied by everyone whether rebel or not. Investors now need this history lesson, which is well written.

Amazing stories. Hollywood can not come up with stuff this outrageous.

a must read for financial service

Scarlet Woman of Wall Street.I was actually reading this as part of my research on the Erie Railroad and found this book both interesting and informative. As an upstate New Yorker, I was particularly interested in the ties to the Binghamton area.Good book, carefully researched, good reading.Kim BurdickStanton, Delaware

A most enjoyable account, interesting for anyone with a passing interest in the evolution of the US Railway System, and the murky, cut and thrust prevalent in the early days of the more or less wholly unregulated financial markets so devilishly manipulated by a handful of individuals.The most 'infamous' of this small band of financial Robber Barons was in terms of sheer deviousness and total absence of conscious was 'Uncle' Daniel Drew, a most unpleasant character who would cheat just about anyone for a personal gain. Followed closely by Jay Gould, a dark, sinister character, and his cohort Jim Fisk, an ebullient, extrovert with foppish ways, and a penchant for adultery as well as wealth accrual, but unlike Gould, to fund a lavish and exravagant lifestyle. The fourth of this bunch of financial chancers was 'Commodore' Cornelius Vanderbilt, the Titan of steamship pioneering, who turned his wealth expanding tentacles to the fledgling railways serving New York City. Of the buch, Vanderbilt was certainly the wealthiest and perhaps the least driven by the Green Eyed, unethical, God of Avarice, although only just! In today's regulated financial markets, all of them would be in prison for their devious conduct. However their deeds,dalliances, and fiscal shenanigans make absolutely fascinating and gripping reading particularly during the infamous Gold Corner, and the long and spiteful wranglings surrounding the Eyrie Railway, during which all four miscreants fought amongst themselves like scalded cats.John Steele Gordon has written a masterful account of all of these goings-on that is highly recommended.

Excellent book story flows off the pages. History at its best.