by Janet Wallach
2012
Most people recognize the names Rockefeller, Carnegie, Astor, and Huntington as the names of men who made fortunes during the Gilded Age and with their influence helped expand the country with railroads and increased wealth. Few would recognize the name Hetty Green as easily.
In the biography The Richest Woman in America: Hetty Green in the Gilded Age, Janet Wallach introduces readers to a woman who made her own financial decisions and fought for what she felt was rightfully hers. During several downturns in the economy during this time period, she was the one who lent New York City money; she was the one who started the Texas Midland railroad. As she said, "I am always buying when everyone wants to sell and selling when everyone wants to buy."
In my opinion, the author spent far too much time drawing parallels between Hetty's time and now, inferring psychological motives for many of Green's decisions and the Gilded Age. However, the story of Hetty Green is the story of how America was built not only by financiers who were men, but also by financiers who were women.
Pam Coyle
Director
Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Libraries
CALL NUMBER: 921 Gree.H
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