Der Industriebaron

by Geschichte Eines Amerikanischen Millionärs

Excerpt from Der Industriebaron

Sch heahfichtige in hiefer (£hronif hie 8eßenß gefchichte eineß cinilifierten 9jianneß z,u er5iihlen; 5a hiefem @nhe werfe ich alle $ränme unh luftigen ($inbilhnngen von mir, um mich nur mit fener he fcheihenen ?ibirflichfeit an hefaffen, hie vor nnferer ®chmelle liegt.

Genres: Fiction, Business

141 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Keturah Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book - read in an afternoon (it's only about 130 pages long, and the pages are small). It really shows the irony of wealth and how you can't take it with you; you'll enter this world as a shriveled mite, and leave it as such. Also a beautiful portrayal of what happens when you aren't loyal in love (as in a very tragic example).

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler Alert: Great , easy, fun read. A cautionary tale about a spoiled but good natured son of a corrupt and heartless industrialist. , Robbie manipulates the stock marker for his own amusement and gain, he destroys companies and people lives without thought for the human consequences. He dismisses his ex fiance who is dying of consumption and who pleads with him to look after the daughter they had together years past and whom he never knew. He loses his millions is a fraudulent market transaction but wins it all back, destroying other companies in the process. Later, when he discovers he has unknowingly been having a sexual affair with his own estranged daughter (no wonder the book was banned upon being published), he finally loses it and embarks on a suicide mission via yacht in turbulent waters. At the last moment he realizes he does not want to die, that he is too good/rich/powerful to die but alas it is too late and his body/head/brains are smashed against the rocks. The remains are discovered later by a young boy.

[Erwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Caitlin S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed the overall idea and messaging, but found this to be poorly written. This almost reads as a plot outline with overt social commentary rather than a story --a bit too on the nose and melodramatic for my liking. However, the tight pacing and short length prevented it from falling into the DNF bucket.

1.5 stars.

[Mike Zickar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of a journey through the work-related writings of Upton Sinclair. This novella was a quick read and an enjoyable read of the rise and fall of a Wall Street Tycoon. It's definitely one of Sinclair's lesser works though it packs a punch and documents well the excesses of the Gilded Age.