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Each day over 4,000 people take the elevator up to the observatory of the Empire State Building to catch a minute of glory. What almost none of them have known--until now--is just how many people have fought to own outright the crown jewel beneath them, and the chaos that these trophy hunters have caused. "Over the years," writes Wall Street Journal reporter Mitchell Pacelle, "the Empire State Building had exerted an almost magnetic pull over a certain kind of man, the kind who once had nothing and now had everything." The construction of the Empire State Building was a $50 million roll of the dice by a failed political candidate, who took on the impossible task of filling 80 floors with paying tenants in the midst of the Depression just to win the race for skyline supremacy. Thirty years later, the Prudential Company gutted the building's profit potential by leasing it to real estate magnates Larry Wien and Harry Helmsley for 114 years. Their heirs, Peter Milkin and Leona Helmsley, would end up locked in a bitter embrace. Then, in 1991, Prudential decided to sell the tower, and the building entered its most bizarre period as a group of eccentric billionaires fought to control it.
Pacelle masterfully tells the story of Hideki Yokoi, a Japanese businessman with a shady past who became obsessed with the American icon during an $80 million shopping spree. Rebuffed in his pursuit by Prudential, he finally landed the building with the help of his illegitimate daughter, a front man, shell companies, and a fair number of lies--but not for long. Convinced that his daughter had stolen the building from him, he initiated a bizarre family feud that landed two people in jail. Add Donald Trump to the mix (and a plan to upscale the building with luxury condos, classy restaurants, and a hotel) and an epic legal war began between Trump and his nemesis Leona Helmsley, holder of the precious lease. Full of mind-boggling twists and betrayals, Pacelle's book is a priceless cautionary tale about ego, greed, and vengeance, and the inevitable bust that follows every bubble. --Lesley Reed
Book Description
The world's most famous skyscraper, the Empire State Building is an icon as immediately recognizable as the Eiffel Tower, the Great Pyramids, or the Taj Mahal; and for some of the world's most powerful men, it is the ultimate prize. From the day it was erected, it has been the object of obsession for the heads of empires, conjuring their most hidden vices. In a riveting chronicle of betrayal, revenge, family rivalry, and raw greed, award-winning journalist Mitchell Pacelle tells the compelling tale of the history of the Empire State Building and the battle for ownership which reveals the inner workings of a world of powerful, self-made men. Pacelle brings to life the colorful cast of characters involved-a dramatis personae including the most powerful players in the international real estate markets both old and new, including John Raskob and Pierre du Pont alongside Donald Trump, the Helmsleys, Peter Malkin, and the eccentric Japanese billionaire Hideki Yokoi. Before the tale is over, Yokoi will accuse his beloved illegitimate daughter of stealing the building from him, several participants will land in jail, one will die suddenly, and a tense legal standoff will leave the landmark in limbo. One of the most fascinating characters to emerge from this richly layered story is the building itself, with its legendary romances and suicides, its odd tenants, and the countless human triumphs and tragedies that have been played out within its towering walls.
Customer Reviews:
great read - fast paced and interesting.......2005-06-01
very interesting account of how ego, greed and poor research affect real estate investments.
good historical account of how property values were overinflated and seasoned investors were only too happy to offload them to unsuspecting foreigners. [even though the media claimed america was loosing its landmarks.]
Dated Loose Threads.......2005-04-29
The publication date should give it away but with the climax of this book referring to the gleaming twin towers of the World Trade Centre and Donald Trump dreaming of a potential buyer for the subject, readers today will be left feeling empty having traced what could have been, an interesting saga over 300 pages.
Other than a useful insight into the construction of the Empire, its first decades of presence and the personalities of Yokoi, Helmsley, Malkin, Wein and Trump (mostly within the space of a couple of chapters), what remains is a messy and tedious multifaceted, intercontinental legal dispute, with many arms all leading whether separately or in toto, to little in the way of meaningful conclusion.
An early suggestion as to this American icon being stolen by a wily foreign foe builds to a crescendo of outrage that grabs the reader immediately, only to be forgotten thereafter.
It is this attempt to lead the reader (albeit with a comfortable writing style) so many times to no place at all, together with a conspicuous tendency towards repetition in the final chapters, that leaves the sensation; why did I bother? This story cannot merely be left with Trump holding a torn bag side by side with the heirs of a tattered Japanese business powerhouse. Trump in all respects is the story. Readers deserve to hear the end game.
An unfinished chronicle. Its legacy at least rests with the fact, that in detailing its story to mid 2001, scholars now possess a basis of personal interview upon which to complete this epoch of urban American history.
Better than the pulpiest fiction.......2004-07-07
In typical New York fashion, the story of the Empire State Building, from inception to today is stranger than fiction. In his brilliant book, "Empire: A Tale of Obsession, Betrayal, and the Battle for an American Icon", Mitchell Pacelle reveals the intrigues, wheeling-dealing, and financial brawling that surrounds the greatest symbol of America's financial power. Sometimes the depths to which the players sank were as deep as the Empire State Building is high. There are many of the names that you would expect to be involved in this tale: Raskob, Smith, Helmsley, Trump, but there are plenty of surprises (which I won't give away).
Mr. Pacelle deserves a load of credit, not just for the research (which is impressive enough) but for the glitzy, brash, and engaging style with which he tells this fascinating story. Only in New York would a story like this happen, and only Mr. Pacelle has told it the way it should.
Rocco Dormarunno, author of THE FIVE POINTS
Fascinating tale of greed, passion, and hatred.......2004-03-12
This book is a complex but riveting tale of how the Empire State Building inspires not just affection for a classic American icon, but incredible greed, hatred, and pretty much all of the seven deadly sins. This is also a peek behind the curtain of big time real estate, and a seriously unflattering portrait of most of its practitioners. Absolutely recommended for anyone who wants dirt on Leona Helmsley, or has a vague dislike for Donald Trump. None of these characters, especially the Japanese (both the Yokoi family and the Japanese bankers), comes off as particularly admirable. Very good.
Excellent business history.......2003-11-16
Don't think this book is a PBS-like history of the Empire State Building. It's real purpose is a sexy, Donald Trumpesque review of the transactions that have gone on over this coveted building. The foolishness, the cunning characters, and the overall race to own the building have created a great story for Pacelle to write about. While the book is a bit difficult in that it jumps back and forth in places, the level of knowledge presented is both informative and entertaining.
Average customer rating:
- Great story of "modern" real estate deals
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Empire: A Tale of Obsession, Betrayal, and the Battle for an American Icon
Mitchell Pacelle
Manufacturer: Penton Overseas
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Binding: Audio CD
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Alexander Hamilton
ASIN: 1591251486 |
Book Description
The Empire State Building is an icon as immediately recognizable as the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal. For some of the worlds most powerful men, it is the ultimate prize. In a riveting chronicle of betrayal, revenge, family rivalry, and raw greed, award-winning Wall Street Journal journalist Mitchell Pacalle tells the compelling tale of the Empire State Building ownership battle that lays bare the inner workings of a world of ambitious, self-made men. Pacelle brings to life a colorful cast of characters that includes many of the most notorious players in international real estate Donald Trump, Leona Helmsley, and the eccentric Japanese billionaire Hideki Yokoi. But perhaps the most fascinating character of all to emerge from this richly layered story is the building itself, with its legendary romances and suicides, its odd tenants, and the countless human triumphs and tragedies that have been played out within its towering walls.
Customer Reviews:
Great story of "modern" real estate deals.......2007-05-15
After listening to this book on tape/CD, I appreciate the Empire state bldg more. I was amazed at the details of long-term leases, real estate negotiations that are relaying in this entertaining and insightful story of the 1980's real estate boom. The current day characters--Donald Trump, Leona Helmsly, etc--made the story more interesting. A worthy story for any traveler (kept me entertained on a 10 hr flight to Italy and 3 hr layover in Paris) or visitor to the Empire State Bldg.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Journal of the American Planning Association, published by American Planning Association on June 22, 2002. The length of the article is 1944 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Empire: A Tale of Obsession, Betrayal, and the Battle for an American Icon. (Urban History). (book review)
Author: Ronald Shiffman
Publication:
Journal of the American Planning Association (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 2002
Publisher: American Planning Association
Volume: 68
Issue: 3
Page: 324(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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John Fetzer: On a Handshake : The Times and Triumphs of a Tiger Owner
Dan Ewald
Manufacturer: Wayne State University Press
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0814329217 |
Book Description
Dan Ewald tells the story about the Tiger owner's shaping of the 1968 and 1984 World Series champions and his deci- sions that helped shape the game. The book also details Fetzer's relationships with managers like Billy Martin and Sparky Anderson and with players like Al Kaline, Denny McLain, Willie Horton and others who wore the old English "D".
Book Description
The "slasher" movie is the bloodiest incarnation of the modern horror film, tainted by criticisms of misogyny, yet remaining-on and off-a box-office draw for 30 years. Combining in-depth analysis with over 200 film reviews, Legacy of Blood is the most comprehensive examination of the slasher movie and its conventions to date, from Halloween and the notorious I Spit on Your Grave, to Scream-the redefining genre hit of the '90s-and beyond.
Customer Reviews:
A Handy Guide for Horror Buffs.......2006-01-20
As a fan of slasher horror flicks, "Legacy of Blood" was a great find. Just so you know what time frame is covered in the book, the focus is on films from early 70's slashers like "Black Christmas" and "Halloween" up through "Jason X" and even mentions the making of "Freddy vs. Jason" even though that movie came out after this book's publication. "Legacy of Blood" is divided into several sections, giving the reader the origin and evolution of the slasher genre, and hits on several key elements found in these movies; the heroine, the killer, setting and authority figuers. The bulk of the book, and the real reason to pick this up, is the reviews section. Whether or not you agree with Harper's reviews of individual films is beside the point. (There are quite a few films he didn't like, that I think are great "The Prowler" for example) The fairly comprehensive listing of films reviewed in "Legacy of Blood" is great for collectors who may have forgotten about some of these films, and hits on quite a few movies that may have slipped under your radar. I have already ordered several of the movies found in "Legacy" from Amazon that I had forgotten about.
There were only a couple minor complaints I had about "Legacy". Harper has no problem filling his reviews with "spoilers". So if any of the movies you are interested in feature a "mystery" as to who the killer is, you may want to skip that review as Harper more often than not spells it out in his review. Also it seems that one of the criteria Harper focused on when judging these films was the amount of nudity present. To be honest I don't really care if Lisa "Wednesday Addams" Loring has an extensive nude scene in "Iced", I want to know if the flick is gory, suspenseful or scary. You find that Harper continues to focus on the amount of nudity per film and also repeatedly brings up the British "video nasties" list quite often. It's interesting to a degree, but does get repetitive. And while this is a pretty comprehensive list, there are quite a few omissions such as "Visiting Hours", "Boarding House", "Wizard of Gore", "Blood Feast" etc.
But these truly are minor complaints. I found the book easy to read, Harper actually treats these films with a good deal more respect than what is normally written, and his writing style is easy and fun to read. I can't wait to get ahold of some of these movie's I hadn't heard of before, and hopefully he will follow up "Legacy" with another book focusing on a different horror genre. Highly recommended for horror film buffs.
It's finally available...and worth it........2004-09-19
This book is tailor made for slasher film fans.
Section I examines the history of the slasher, from it's roots to the emergence as a box-office staple, to the decline in the 80's, to the rebirth of the 90's.
Section II covers the conventions of the genre, the hero/heroine, the killer, location, and authority figures.
Section III are the reviews, which take up the most of the book.
There are the obvious (F13 series) and some obscure ones that I've never heard of (something called Fantom Kiler, that is how it is spelled). The reviews are from the point-of-view of a slasher film fan. This is a refreshing change from the critical, over-analyzing of previous works on slasher films (Vera Dika's Games of Terror) and Mr. Harper is fair in his conclusions. You may not agree with him, but you respect his opinion. [The author is British and there is much talk of the "banning" of films in the UK, very interesting].
Section IV lists the "banned" films in the UK, some stars "before they were famous", International slashers, and Seasonal slashers.
Mr. Harper does not include Giallos, as he believes it would double the size of the book and are worthy of their own study. Perhaps he will write that book someday.
Overall, if you are a fan of slasher films, you would do well to get this book. I highly recommend it.
is it realy out yet.......2004-06-18
i am realy looking foeward to reading this book because i love slasher movies. i have been wateing for this to come out for a realy long time because before it sead it was comeing out on may 15th but it did not. so i was wondering is it realy out?
Product Description
A space armada slowly takes shape a hundred million kilometers above the elliptical plane of a star; the target planet does not have the military to stop the massive BattleMech invasion about to be unleashed on their world. Instead, a handful of men slowly maneuver in disguised, pressurized, polymer bags towards their targets. After attaching to the ships, they cut a hole in the bulkhead and sneak towards the fragile Kearny-Fuchida core that makes interstellar travel possible. Knowing death is the only outcome, they disable the fleet, aborting the invasion before it has begun, changing the course of history. They have no name, no history, no life beyond their service to the State. They are covert operatives. A Guide to Covert Ops provides detailed information on every intelligence agency in the BattleTech universe. Additionally, extensive Life Paths covering everything from DEST to Lohengrin and Valkyrie to guerilla insurgents are included. FInally, new specialized espionage gear, campaigning rules and a complete adventure provide all the information and tools players and gamemasters alike will need to enter the covert world of special ops.
Customer Reviews:
Should have been called: A Guide to Poor Editing.......2007-03-26
Good background on most of the IS intelligence agencies, however, the life path section leaves much to be desired. Some lifepaths are missing and it's painful to try to put the pieces together when large gaps are left in the lifepath system. This of course is the problem with lifepaths. It's BASIC (the programming language), for character creation but when 10 can't go to 20, or Free Skye Affiliations can't go to Rebel Operative (the required next path), the whole system comes to a screeching halt.
Since I purchased this product for it's integration with the Classic Battletech RPG, the flaws seriously disappoint. If you are looking for a generic source book on intel agencies, this might work for you. If you are looking for specific lifepaths and MW3/CBT:RPG info, wait for the errata to come out.
PS: I've heard that a new life paths system is in the works, which may correct these errors. Hopefully that will be released soon. At that point, I'll update my review.
Intelligence, not Special Forces.......2006-01-15
This book mostly deals with the intelligence and paramilitary organizations (both government-sanctioned and anti-government) of the many Battletech houses, but does not deal with special forces units. Furthermore, the equipment section is scant, with only a half-dozen items--though these are mostly electronic infiltration and information-extracting aids instead of weapons, specialty uniforms, and the like (let alone specialty 'Mechs/battlearmor). That said, the information they do give is quite exhaustive and thorough, but I was more interested in the things that they ended up leaving out when I bought this book.
Average customer rating:
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Covert Ops: Nuclear Dawn Official Strategy Guide
BradyGames
Manufacturer: BRADY GAMES
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0744000076 |
Book Description
BradyGames-Covert Ops: Nuclear Dawn Official Strategy Guide Features. Complete Walkthrough - provides the best path through the Blue Harvest, and highlights key areas that lead to story branches. Enemies, Allies and Armament profiles who is with you, who is against you, and what weapons and items are at your disposal. Game Secrets reveals hidden missions, how to access them, and MORE!
Product Description
This complete, three volume set is a bibliography of English language sources compiled in 1980 by author Myron J. Smith, Jr. Published by ABC-Clio, this set is an invaluable for resource for researchers in the fields of History & International Law.
Volume I: Intelligence, Propaganda & Psychological Warfare, Resistance Movements & Special Operations 1939-1945.
Volume II: Intelligence, Propaganda & Psychological Warfare, Covert Operations 1945-1980.
Volume III: International Terrorism 1968-1980
Book Description
Increase sales income, transform a career by insiting that prospects ""play ball"".
Most frustrated salespeople don't realize they can and should insist on active participation from every prospect on their list. Here's how to make ""noise"" in the sales cycle so prospects have to pay attention, or get out of the game.
Today's economy makes for a tough selling environment. That shouldn't scare salespeople into holding hands with indecisive prospects, coaxing them along just because they haven't said ""no"". In fact, says Stephan Schiffman, a respected sales prospecting expert, they should be doing just the opposite. Schiffman urges salespeople to insist on active participation from the prospect, or walk away. His book, Sales Don't Just Happen, helps salespeople increase the bottom line by purging the prospect list of those who won't ""play ball"". The book's core mandate ""make some noise"" works for any sales person in any situation. ""Do something deliberate and impossible to ignore,"" declares Schiffman, ""and monitor the response"". Those who are moved to react are the people that should receive a salesperson's time and attention. This simple yet powerful strategy can transform a sales career overnight.
Customer Reviews:
Kept it simple..........2007-03-21
There isn't anything "easy" about selling, but somehow Stephen Shhiffman made it feel simple in this book. If you want a refreshing course on what made you a sales person in the first place, this is a good read. I hadn't been selling in a while and simply maintaining accounts. This got me over my fear of calling. In fact I should read it again just so I don't forget!
Great book, great author !.......2005-09-17
Really helpful in setting up a proper Prospect Management System. I can recommend his other books as well !
Highly Recommended!.......2004-06-10
In Sales Don't Just Happen, Stephan Schiffman, the founder of a fast-growing sales training company, expands on his approach to selling based on developing a proposal that makes sense to the prospect. He fills his book with discussions of the same basic principles he has presented in several other books, though each has its own emphasis, such as cold calling or making a more effective close. Here Schiffman ranges through the four key phases of the sales cycle - prospecting, interviewing, presentation and close - to teach 26 strategies (one main technique per chapter) that push a sale forward. At the end of each chapter, he summarizes how to apply that chapter's tips. These methods are generally quite useful, though familiar, basic approaches. One warning: if you've read Schiffman's other sales books, you may experience a sense of déjà vu. But otherwise, we recommend this solid manual to any corporate sales rep who makes in-person presentations in quest of large sales.
Highly Recommended!.......2003-05-06
In Sales Don't Just Happen, Stephan Schiffman, the founder of a fast-growing sales training company, expands on his approach to selling based on developing a proposal that makes sense to the prospect. He fills his book with discussions of the same basic principles he has presented in several other books, though each has its own emphasis, such as cold calling or making a more effective close. Here Schiffman ranges through the four key phases of the sales cycle - prospecting, interviewing, presentation and close - to teach 26 strategies (one main technique per chapter) that push a sale forward. At the end of each chapter, he summarizes how to apply that chapter's tips. These methods are generally quite useful, though familiar, basic approaches. One warning: if you've read Schiffman's other sales books, you may experience a sense of déjà vu. But otherwise, we from getAbstract recommend this solid manual to any corporate sales rep who makes in-person presentations in quest of large sales.
Luck Is for Rabbits.......2003-02-13
The core concept in this book is that success in sales depends almost entirely on a possible purchaser's willingness to become (in effect) a collaborator with the salesperson inorder to determine HOW best to meet the possible purchaser's needs, solve her or his problems, achieve his or her objectives. (Note: A "possible" does not become a "prospect" unless and until she or he commits to take the Next Step.) The progress and satisfactory conclusion of this collaborative process require a series of Next Steps to which the prospect is agreeable. Schiffman asserts (and I wholly agree) that sales "don't just happen"; rather, they are achieved by the aforementioned process which requires a prospect's permission to collaborate, permission which the salesman must obtain at each stage.
The sequence of Next Steps is not merely a buying of time, however. On the contrary, if skillfully managed by the salesperson, it accelerates the buying cycle as objections are systematically eliminated. To repeat, the objective for the salesperson at each stage in the process is to have the prospect agree to their taking, together, the Next Step. Moreover, the Final Step is not closing on a given sale. There is no Final Step. If I understand Schiffman's thinking and the 26 strategies which he advocates, there is always a Next Step to strengthen even more the relationship with the buyer who will presumably make other purchases later.
Recently I learned that, after surveying many thousands of consumers of various products and services over a period of five years to learn why they no longer did business with certain companies, researchers were told that 1% of the customers had died; 3% had moved out of the area; 5% had been "influenced" away; 9% had found "better service" elsewhere; and 14% had experienced "unresolved conflicts" with the given company.
That adds up to 32%. Now here's the kicker:
68% left because of "perceived indifference."
Hence the obvious importance of what happens after a sale is made. Schiffman is dead-on when insisting that one of the salesperson's greatest challenges is to proceed, relentlessly, to each Next Step after one sale and before the next each customer. In this book, he explains HOW to do that, also why; it is the salesperson's responsibility sustain forward movement. Schiffman also explains why, in certain situations, it would be a waste of time to continue with certain clients without their permission. That does not preclude sustaining contact, and doing so with style and grace. His eminently sensible implication is that there are significant differences between cultivation and solicitation.
Throughout the book, the reader is provided with an abundance of practical advice which includes don'ts as well as do's. For example, Schiffman explains in Chapter 2 how to find out "who's really playing ball"...and who isn't; in Chapter 8, how to make forward progress even when the prospect says no; in Chapter 12, new ways to wake up sleeping prospects; in Chapter 20, how to raise the tough issues before the prospect does; and in Chapter 24, "how to find out where we really stand in the prospect's world." Simply knowing what the 26 "proven strategies" are is well worth the cost of this book; having Schiffman explain how to use each most effectively creates for the book a value that is incalculable.
Of course, the best advice in the world is worthless unless and until it results in appropriate action. Success doesn't just happen.
Books:
- Falling Angels: A Novel
- Faraday as a Discoverer (Large Print Edition)
- Father, Son & Co.: My Life at IBM and Beyond
- Fire Into Ice: Charles Fipke & the Great Diamond Hunt
- Footnotes : What You Stand For Is More Important Than What You Stand In
- GOD AND MAN AT YALE THE SUPERSTITIONS OF "ACADEMIC FREEDOM"
- Golden Boy: The Harold Simmons Story
- Gustavo Cisneros un Empresario Global : Prologo De Carlos Fuentes / Gustavo Cisneros, World Business Man
- Hayek's Challenge: An Intellectual Biography of F.A. Hayek
- Her Majesty: 50 Regal Years
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Maverick Real Estate Investing: The Art of Buying and Selling Properties Like Trump, Zell, Simon, and the World's Greatest Land Owners
