NATIONAL BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
In this groundbreaking biography, T.J. Stiles tells the dramatic
story of Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt, the combative man and
American icon who, through his genius and force of will, did more
than perhaps any other individual to create modern capitalism.
Meticulously researched and elegantly written, The First Tycoon
describes an improbable life, from Vanderbilt’s humble birth during
the presidency of George Washington to his death as one of the
richest men in American history. In between we see how the
Commodore helped to launch the transportation revolution, propel
the Gold Rush, reshape Manhattan, and invent the modern
corporation. Epic in its scope and success, the life of Vanderbilt
is also the story of the rise of America itself.