Here is history that reads like fiction: the riveting story of two founding fathers of American industry-Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick--and ...
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Feb 18, 2009
Dale Carnegie in his seminal work How to Win Friends and Influence People uses Andrew Carnegie as an example of a man who became very rich and famous by being genuinely nice to people. Well, gee, I thought if such a good guy can also be one of the wealthiest people who ever graced God's green earth, then, well, perhaps I am just wrong to excoriate Capitalism as an economic system that favors ruthlessness over virtue. So, I wanted to read more about this great, swell human being Andrew Carnegie,
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Mar 08, 2011
Donald
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Standiford's book does not purport to be a definitive biography of either man, but gives a good introduction to Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick, the two titans of the steel industry and two of the wealthiest men in the world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The author's focus is on the strike and violence at the Homestead Steel works, a low point in the history of labor and capital, that ultimately led to a bitter feud between Carnegie and Frick.
MEET YOU IN HELL is a More...
MEET YOU IN HELL is a More...
Nov 18, 2011
Cathy
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Les Standiford is a favorite author of mine, so had to read the book.
Being from the south, I have limited knowledge of the northern industrial states so the first thing I had to do was print out a map of the Pittsburgh area. It would have been nice to include for those of us not so familiar with the area.
Perhaps Standiford wrote it for textbook purposes, and in that case, maybe a map wouldn't be necessary. In fact, when I was reading it, it kind of reminded me of a More...
Being from the south, I have limited knowledge of the northern industrial states so the first thing I had to do was print out a map of the Pittsburgh area. It would have been nice to include for those of us not so familiar with the area.
Perhaps Standiford wrote it for textbook purposes, and in that case, maybe a map wouldn't be necessary. In fact, when I was reading it, it kind of reminded me of a More...
Jan 26, 2010
Christia
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It seemed like it was intended for me to read this for several random but related reasons: I recently visited the Frick Museum in New York, Sarah Vowell mentioned the Homestead Strike in her book Assassination Vacation; and I just finished reading another book written by Les Standiford (about Charles Dickens). Not only that, but who can resist his selected title?!
This book did read like fiction instead of non-fiction (in some ways it reminded me of Karen Abbott's Sin in the Second More...
This book did read like fiction instead of non-fiction (in some ways it reminded me of Karen Abbott's Sin in the Second More...
Mar 19, 2011
Bill
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This is as promised a history of the business relationship between Carnegie and Frisk. However, what Standiford accomplishes in this work is to outline how the imperative “It’s just business” has existed well before the current days of outsourcing and layoffs. He even takes time to poke at Walmart’s impact on small business towards the end. Not that the story about Carnegie and Frisk is not interesting in itself, but it certainly sounds not too different from current day antics. The biggest c
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Feb 10, 2009
Sfmurphy
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Recommended to me by my boss where I teach, Meet You in Hell details the relationship, at times contentious, eventually toxic, between steel baron Andrew Carnegie and his business partner, Henry Clay Frick. Both would have a role to play in the Homestead Steel Mill Strike of 1892, an event which would drive a wedge between the two men to their dying days.
Les Standiford does an excellent job of providing an accessible character study of the two figures, their ambitions, and their p More...
Les Standiford does an excellent job of providing an accessible character study of the two figures, their ambitions, and their p More...
May 24, 2011
Leif Erik
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It was alright. Not a particularly deep in the details and Standiford really didn't connect the dots between the Homestead strike and the falling out between Frick and Carnegie. I believe he wanted to tell two stories but he only had one book contract. Also didn't care for the more 'literary' style of the writing. Read more like a story than an analysis, but that's my history degree talking there. The upside of the book is the accessibility (even an English major can follow it). If 19th ce
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Jan 25, 2009
Derek
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A wonderfully imagined retelling of the partnership between southwestern Pennsylvania's two most important figures in steel manufacturing (with particular attention paid to the famous Homestead strike), Meet You in Hell ought to be required reading for anyone with an interest in the turn-of-the-century labor struggle or anyone, like myself, who grew up a century afterward, still in its shadow.
While both Frick and Carnegie are portrayed as confident, Machiavellian characters, Frick se More...
While both Frick and Carnegie are portrayed as confident, Machiavellian characters, Frick se More...
Feb 06, 2008
Kay
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Having toured Frick's mansions in New York and Pittsburgh, as well as several of Carnegie's libraries, his eponymous university, and his mansion in New York, I was of course interested to hear how the two men famously fell out. The tale is not perhaps as dramatic as the title suggests, but it's still great stuff for anyone interested in the Gilded Age.
The central event of the book is the Homestead Steelworker's strike of 1890s. Acting under Carnegie's orders, Frick sent in strikebrea More...
The central event of the book is the Homestead Steelworker's strike of 1890s. Acting under Carnegie's orders, Frick sent in strikebrea More...
Jul 01, 2009
Mallori
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I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. I read it for school, so just off the bat I am not going to like it because I had to read it. The only problem I had with it was that it was slow to the point, but I really think it had a really good underlying message that especially now when greed has taken over this country. Money isn't the key to everything and it is good to learn that lesson more than once because it is something that I really think would make a lot of people's life a lot easier.
Aug 28, 2010
woody
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I read this book because I was intrigued by the title. My favorite part of the book was, of course, the famous "Tell him I'll see him in Hell, where we both are going" story of Carnegie's deathbed summons to Frick to meet and possibly make amends. Unfortunately, this was the first chapter of the book, so it felt kind of anti climatic rebuilding back to the same story at the end of the book. That being said it was an entertaining book for the most part, kind of dragged in a few place
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Aug 02, 2011
James (JD)
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I read this in advance of a visit to Pittsburgh, and I found it really informative, both of the industrial history of the area but also of the impact of two of its greatest benefactors, Henry Clay Frick and Andrew Carnegie.
Standiford brings a novelist's knack for telling the story of the descent into violence at Homestead and its effect on the laborers and the capitalists. I just couldn't put it down.
Standiford brings a novelist's knack for telling the story of the descent into violence at Homestead and its effect on the laborers and the capitalists. I just couldn't put it down.
Feb 11, 2012
Patrick
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A good easy read for basic knowledge of the relationship between two of the most powerful business men from the gilded age. A must read for those living in the rough blue collar Mon River Valley. Carnegie's first mill, Edgar Thomson Works, continues to make steel today. The book gives the reader a look into "the best and worst of times."
Mar 06, 2009
Johann
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Good book about the rags to riches Dale Carnegie and Henry Frick. Gives a clear idea that disputing is a profitable business and that just good friends can become mortal enemies. Intense scenes especially at the Homestead Massacre though everywhere else is somewhat dry. Kind of a history buff book
Apr 08, 2010
Converse
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Oddly bad, in that the writing is good but the point that the author is trying to make unclear. At points he seems to say that the Homestead strike caused the falling out between Carnegie & Frick, but his own chronology of the partnership suggests otherwise
Apr 22, 2009
Gail
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One book by Les Standiford will lead you to another book by Les Standiford. One can't resist his quirky call. A nice small-scaled study of these two outsized characters -- bastards both, though Carnegie managed to do a lot of postumous mopping up of his mess.
May 09, 2010
Chris
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Standiford links the events of the late 19th century to today. As someone originally from western Pennsylvania, this book is all the more relevant. Both the facts and the human side of the early steel and coke industries are part of this story.
Apr 10, 2008
Jessica
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An excellent history of two complicated men. The story of Carnegie and Frick, their domination of the coke and steel industries, and their eventual falling out is a fascinating glimpse into American industrialization. Carnegie and Frick were both hard men, focused on cutting costs, even while paying their workers shockingly little, and yet later in life they each gave spectacular sums of money away. The story of the stupendous fortunes they amassed, often at the expense of the working men who
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Feb 14, 2011
Lee
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Not overtly harsh on either of its main characters, but it does bring out their actions and the results thereof.
Carnegie claimed that he was for the workingman, and wrote a lot of sympathetic things before and after the Homestead violence. I think he wanted to believe those things, but failed to see that others would act as violently as they did, and was horrified that it happened. He did a lot to try to salve his conscience afterward, of course.
Carnegie claimed that he was for the workingman, and wrote a lot of sympathetic things before and after the Homestead violence. I think he wanted to believe those things, but failed to see that others would act as violently as they did, and was horrified that it happened. He did a lot to try to salve his conscience afterward, of course.
Feb 11, 2012
Chris
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Dull and just didn't care...two extremely wealthy men had a fight at the turn of the 20th Century and never reconciled. There, I saved you ten bucks.
Sep 24, 2011
Mimi
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interesting subject matter, but the author could have done a better job. writing-wise, it was a little uneven. that said, it was a good reminder why many people advocate eating the rich.
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Sep 26, 2010
William
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Carnegie vs Frick vs steel workers. An engaging overview of the wild days of American capitalism and how greed has its consequences.
Mar 21, 2011
Coleen
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An interesting discussion of the mergers that became US Steel and the men who made them and what ha[[ened to their relationship.
Jan 04, 2012
Hapzydeco
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Frick was to Patton as Carneige was to FDR. The rules were that there were no rules.
May 01, 2009
Melissa
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Facinating story, one that I had never heard. The author does a pretty good job staying neutral, not siding with the workers, or the owners. The writing was a little dry, but hey its a book about business.
Feb 10, 2011
Jpavalock
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Growing up in Pennsylvania, I know the names Carnegie and Frick, but had no idea they were connected in business. I think I'm going to like it. I'll let you know!
Aug 04, 2011
Ann
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What a great book about the tycoons of that era and their ruthless pursuit for power and money. Strong recommendation from me.
