T. J. Stiles

The first half of the book is really about the Civil War in Missouri, but that history of division and its creation of the bushwhackers is what led to James' life of crime. The author does an incredible job unpacking the story. I loved learning the story behind his eventual crime spree. This was my Missouri nonfiction book and it's perfect for the category. I'll certainly be reading more from this author as well.

“Perhaps nothing destroys a political system more quickly and efficiently show more than paranoia. The situation can be grave enough when one party to a quarrel believes the worst of the other, when it pictures its opponents as conspirators. But when both sides see the other as ruthless, treacherous, and unwilling to abide by the rules, then all room for compromise disappears.” show less

Really fascinating biography, despite not having much documentary evidence from the man himself—Stiles instead explains how James was a product of the Confederacy. He shows how white Missouri was internally torn by the conflict that trained James in brutality—a young teen at the time, James learned to kill in cold blood and brutally executed people both during the war and after—but how Confederates managed to create a post-war narrative about invading Yankees, in which James was a show more populist/Robin Hood figure. Recommended. show less

Well written biography but Custer himself makes reading this uncomfortable. Custer is such an unsavory character. Wouldn't want him in my command if I were a general. Tragic story of how US treated Native Americans. Custer thought war was glorious; it's just a killing field.

Just fantastic... A balance between the personal, the social and the financial transformations happening in society within that particular era. Starting with Cornelius humble beginnings, M. Stiles takes us from the New York debut all the way thru Vanderbilt's life until his grand finale: Grand Central Station. Only minor point is that at some point, Stiles goes a little too deep into the financial explanations of certain events. Other than that, a very entertaining read. It gives us a full show more view of this complex character that was Vanderbilt; from his way of dealing with his children to his relation with his wife and mistresses and especially his business enemies.
Overall would recommend it for any biography readers. show less