Introduction: Table for One, Dinner for Twenty-five.
Make Them Like You.
The American Beauty.
Mr. First Nighter.
"Nell, I'm Rich!"
Ain't It Grand?
The Earth for Fifty Cents.
Sidewalks of New York.
Big Wheeler-Dealer.
I Can Always Start Over.
Rogues, Rascals, and Railroaders.
The Girl's a Lady.
"This Is Where I Live."
"Have You Got the Sauce?"
Farmer Jim.
Off to the Races.
Peacocks Parade.
"Oh, My Poor Jim."
"Why Spoil a Beautiful Friendship?"
"Big, Genial Diamond Jim Brady."
Notes and Sources.
Bibliography.
Index.
H. PAUL JEFFERS has written over twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, including Commissioner Roosevelt and Colonel Roosevelt, both published by Wiley.
The story of an industrial giant of the Gilded Age who looms
tallover the colorless tycoons of today, H. Paul Jeffers's
rollickingaccount of the life and times of "Diamond" Jim Brady is
one of themost entertaining historical business narratives in
recent memory.Born in 1856 into an Irish immigrant family who ran a
saloon on theLower East side, Jim Brady had an early hunger for
just abouteverything and the wherewithal to get it. At age 11, he
went towork as a bellhop at the St. James Hotel, where the
"genial,roly-poly blue-eyed Irish youth" quickly ingratiated
himself withthe hotel's visitors and promptly spent his ample tips
on food. Afrequent guest, John Toucey, who worked for Cornelius
Vanderbilt'srailroad empire, hired Brady at age 15; soon Brady
worked his wayup to railroad equipment salesman, encountering
precious few whocold not be won over by his twinkle-eyed merriment,
awesomegenerosity and garangtuan appetite for food. At a time when
Americawas bursting at the seams with industrial expansion and
new-foundwealth, his expense reports were the stuff of legend; he
celebratedeach big sale by buying himself the best and gaudiest
clothes andjewelry. But for all his larger-than-life boorishness,
the man whoemerges here is surprisingly cultured. For more than
three decades,he never missed a Broadway opening; theater producers
could tellwhere plays needed work simply by watching Jim's reaction
in thefront row. While Jeffers sometimes skimps on detailing how
Jimamassed his fortunes--it isn't until late in the book we get a
goodaccounting of his sales practices--the story of this symbol
ofAmerica's Gilded Age is filled with such gusto and vigor that
evenhardcore business readers will be swept away. (Publishers
Weekly,August 20, 2001)
Even if many Americans are not familiar with the story of
DiamondJim Brady, very likely the name still rings a bell. Prolific
authorJeffers (e.g., An Honest President; Sal Mineo) fully develops
thissuperb historical biography of one or more of the
colorfulcharacters in American history. Brady's story is a classic
HoratioAlger tale of determined success. From his Irish immigrant
roots inlower Manhattan, he eventually became renowned for his
colossaleating, massive girth, and signature jewelry. Jeffer's
spiritedwriting brings to life Brady's youth, his earl hard-working
daysbellhopping and selling railroad supplies during America's
greatrail expansion, his long-term relationship with Lillian
Russell,and of course, those countless 14-course meals. Jeffers
deftlyweaves together intriguing stage-setting explanations of the
age ofthe robber barons, the crash of 1893, and that unforgettable
era ofunbridled wealth for the few in 1890s New York. As this
marvelousstory reveals, Brady's lavish lifestyle embodies America's
GildedAge. Highly recommended for all libraries. -Dale Farris,
Groves, TX(Library Journal, September 1, 2001)
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