Ignorance, confidence, and filthy rich friends: the business adventures of Mark Twain, chronic speculator and entrepreneur / Peter Krass.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Krass, Peter.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Twain, Mark, 1835-1910--Knowledge and learning--Commerce.

Twain, Mark.

Twain, Mark, 1835-1910.

Commerce.

Authors, American--19th century--Biography.

Authors, American.

History.

United States.

United States--Commerce--History--19th century.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

viii, 278 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Hoboken, NJ : Wiley, [2007]

Summary:

While the entire world knows Mark Twain as the renowned author of many classic American novels, few people are aware that he was also a highly successful businessman. In fact, more than half of his life was consumed by moneymaking pursuits, which often resulted in writing projects being neglected-but at the same time, these adventures were the inspiration behind many of the characters found in his books.

In Ignorance, Confidence, and Filthy Rich Friends, Peter Krass captures a little-known side of this American icon and details the roller coaster ride of his business ventures in a dramatic, entertaining, and informative narrative style. From Twain's time as the founder of his own publishing house-where he made a small fortune publishing General Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs-to his foray into venture capitalism and investment in numerous start-up firms, to his focus on his own inventions, this engaging book reveals the Mark Twain that few of us know: the no-nonsense, successful American businessman.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Early Hard Knocks on the Road to Riches and Fame 1

Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: How to Outwit Your Superiors 16

Chapter 2 How to Quit a Good Job and Then Lose a Million Dollars 19

Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Even a Crank Knows to Dress for Success 36

Chapter 3 Sometimes Necessity Is the Mother of a Career 39

Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Overcoming Stage Fright and Winning the Audience as a Public Speaker 54

Chapter 4 Welcome to Corporate America: Hard-Nosed Negotiating and Profit-Driven Management 59

Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: The Author's Stormy Work Habits 81

Chapter 5 Sucked into the Gilded Age: Money Lust and the Making of an Inventor 85

Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Managing a Glut of Loathsome Correspondence 102

Chapter 6 Seeing and Seizing Opportunities: Venture Capitalist and Wall Street Speculator 105

Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: The Half-Soled Stockbroker 129

Chapter 7 Bold Vision and Imagination: How Twain Made General U. S. Grant-and Himself-Rich 133

Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Smoking Inspires Brainstorming and Problem Solving 152

Chapter 8 A Shakespearean Business Tale: How Blind Love in Business Turns to Tragedy 157

Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Image Is Everything, But Interviews Are Twaddle 176

Chapter 9 Enduring Financial Crisis and Adversity: A Rockefeller Crony Comes to the Rescue 181

Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Are Ethics for Fools? 193

Chapter 10 Salvaging a Career and Dignity 197

Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: "Avoid My Example" 217

Chapter 11 Back in the Saddle: Playing the Insider's Game 221

Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: How to Live a Long, Successful Life 233

Selected Mark Twain Maxims 237.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 245-264) and index.

Local Notes:

Athenaeum copy: Livezey fund bookplate.

ISBN:

9780471933373

0471933376