Description
Book SynopsisAfter the War of 1812, Thorndike concluded his career as the leading venture capitalist financing the early Industrial Revolution. Sadly, his story is little known. Federalist Tycoon pulls Thorndike's life and career from the shadows and fully examines his impact on American economic development.
Trade ReviewIn this well researched and finely written biography, Kistner deconstructs the image of Israel Thorndike as the Scrooge-like tight fisted Yankee wedded to Federalist ideology. Instead, we meet a person who rises from nothing to become one of the nation’s wealthiest men. Along the way he makes his share of enemies and mistakes but through the prism of Thorndike’s extraordinary life we get a clear view of the fierce battles that shaped the economy and politics of American Republic in its early days while at the same time catching a glimpse into the family social life of New England’s elite. -- William M. Fowler, Jr., Distinguished Professor of History, Northeastern University
With brisk pacing and a fine sense of the broader American narrative, Kistner gives us a full and rich biography of a man who was arguably the most successful entrepreneur in early New England. Kistner casts Israel Thorndike as a peerless businessman and a significant Federalist politician, with a range of ventures that included privateering, an extensive overseas trade network, internal improvements, and textile manufacturing. -- Benjamin L. Carp, Daniel M. Lyons Professor of American History, Brooklyn College, CUNY
In this detailed biography of Massachusetts entrepreneur Israel Thorndike, Timothy H. Kistner. . . .expertly and judiciously fills in the missing details based on careful research. . . .[The book] provides the general reader with an informative, enjoyable narrative account of several critical business and political events of the period. * New England Quarterly *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments List of Illustrations Prologue: October, 1814 Chapter 1: A Colonial Childhood, 1755–1775 Chapter 2: Revolution and Riches, 1775–1792 Chapter 3: The Wealthy Merchant, 1792–1802 Chapter 4: War Again, 1802–1807 Chapter 5: Embargo and Politics, 1807–1812 Chapter 6: I Would Spend All My Wealth, 1812–-1815 Chapter 7: New Horizons, 1815–1821 Chapter 8: Final Years of an Industrialist, 1821–1832 Bibliography Index
