Wall Street to Main Street: Charles Merrill and Middle-Class Investors

Book Description

Wall Street to Main Street: Charles Merrill and Middle-Class Investors focuses on the spectacularly successful career of financier Charles Merrill (1885-1956), the founder of Merrill Lynch & Co., the world's largest brokerage and investment firm. Merrill was the most innovative entrepreneur in the United States financial services sector in the twentieth century. He was the most important figure in promoting common stocks as a prudent long-term investment vehicle for members of the middle class across the United States. Opening more than 100 branch offices across the nation by 1950, his firm solicited millions of middle-class households and became famous for bringing "Wall Street to Main Street" in the post-World War II era. Today, American investors hold, either directly or indirectly through mutual funds, a greater percentage of common stocks in their financial portfolios than do the citizens of any other country. Based on archival sources, this book is the first biography published about the career of this major Wall Street figure. Edwin Perkins is a professor of history and an expert on the development of American financial services. Author of five books and several journal articles, Professor Perkins has testified before the U.S. Congress about proposed reforms to U.S. financial laws.

Customer Reviews:

Highly Recommended!.......2001-04-11

Charles Merrill is an authentic American genius and today's capital markets bear his distinctive stamp in many ways, as Edwin J. Perkins' book proves in fascinating detail. While the book works as a business history and as a professional portrait, it is less successful as a biography because Perkins deliberately chose to focus on Merrill's professional life. By keeping Merrill's personal life very much in the background, Perkins declines to bring Merrill's personality to life. We learn about his career, but we do not seem to get to know the man himself. Happily, Merrill's achievements and business innovations are well worth examining. His commitment to service, integrity and the good of the common customer - even when that angered the elite customer - made him richer than most of the aristocrats who fought against him. We [...] recommend this worthy portrayal of a riveting role model to entrepreneurs, finance professionals and any business history buff.

Embarrassing attempt at biography.......2001-01-26

In his introduction, the author attempts vainly to put Merrill in the same category as Morgan and other great financiers. The problem is that he was not a financier, just a guy riding the trend of retailing in the 1920s. But his gratitude for his own personal pension fund appreciating in the 1990s and attributing it to people like Merrill is extremely embarrassing. This suggests that the author is trying to ingratiate himself to Merrill's company. A little balatant. More to the point, Mr. Perkins did not seem to understand his topic very well. He constantly refers to the backroom at Merrill as "backstage." The backroom and its problems was a big topic on Wall St from the 1950s through the 70s although Perkins seems unaware of the whole problem and constantly refers to it as backstage. Did anyone ever research a topic so poorly? Whether Merrill deserves a full fledged biography still remains unclear after reading this amateurish attempt.

An informative account of a crucial figure in U.S. financial.......1999-08-08

I learned a lot about Wall Street history from this book. The relatively overnight successes of technology driven Wall Streeters should not obscure the more remarkable achievements of Charlie Merrill. The author skillfully describes the times in which Merrill operated and gave me a balanced view of Merrill's strengths and weaknesses. The story moves swiftly along and I gained a real appreciation of the future Merrill saw, the opportunities he capitalized on, and those he inspired along the way.

Colors of a Different Horse: Rethinking Creative Writing Theory and Pedagogy
Average customer rating:
Colors of a Different Horse: Rethinking Creative Writing Theory and Pedagogy

Manufacturer: Natl Council of Teachers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Power and Identity in the Creative Writing Classroom: The Authority Project (New Writing Viewpoints, 1)

Keywords in Creative Writing

Telling Stories: An Anthology for Writers

Little, Brown Essential Handbook, The (5th Edition)

What If?: Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers (2nd Edition)

ASIN: 0814107168

Horse of a Different Color: A Tale of Breeding Geniuses, Dominant Females, and the Fastest Derby Winner Since Secretariat
Average customer rating:

Derby Fans...What clever insight into horse racing!

More Horse, Less Author

Decent, but not great.

Horse of a different color--LAME

terrible

Horse of a Different Color: A Tale of Breeding Geniuses, Dominant Females, and the Fastest Derby Winner Since Secretariat
Jim Squires
Manufacturer: PublicAffairs
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Racing | Horses | Individual Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Sports Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Wild Ride: The Rise and Fall of Calumet Farm Inc., America's Premier Racing Dynasty

The Race for the Triple Crown: Horses, High Stakes, and Eternal Hope

Stud: Adventures in Breeding

THREE STRIDES BEFORE THE WIRE: THE DARK AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD OF HORSE RACING

The Big Horse

ASIN: 1586481177
Release Date: 2002-04-02

Book Description

What does it take to win the Kentucky Derby? The breeder of the 2001 Derby winner shows us that while a fast horse is necessary, a sense of humor and a boundless capacity for absurdity and humiliation are absolutely essential When Jim Squires set up shop as a horse breeder in the bluegrass country of Kentucky, no one held out much hope for him making a living at it. As the editor of the Chicago Tribune, Squires had overseen a staff that won seven Pulitzer Prizes in eight years, but that wasn't enough to save his job in a management shakeup. Consoled by a hefty severance payment, he decided to take up professionally what had been a passion of his for twenty years: raising horses. Squires had successfully raised championship reiners, cutters, jumpers, and other equine athletes, but now he was heading to thoroughbred country. Horse of a Different Color is Squires' rollicking tale of how a novice in the world of Kentucky horse culture did more than merely stay in business; he brought together the stallion and mare who would produce the winner of the most famous race of all, the Kentucky Derby. And at the center of all the commotion is that remarkable horse, Monarchos, the gray colt blessed with extraordinary speed and the making of a hero.

Customer Reviews:

Derby Fans...What clever insight into horse racing!.......2005-04-01

Jim Squires provides a very unique approach to writing about an industry few have had the luxury of being on the inside of. "Horse of a Different Color" is intelligently presented and cleverly written. What a refreshing way to present information on a "culture" which exists in and of itself that few will ever have an opportunity to learn of otherwise. If you are at all interested in the horse racing industry, this book is a must read.

More Horse, Less Author.......2004-06-03

"Horse of a Different Color" shines when it shines the spotlight on Monarchos, winner of the 2000 Kentucky Derby. It sinks when the author looks at himself.

Somewhere along the line, an Editor should have warned the author against using a second person narrative style. It just gets annoying after a while. And his dubbing of his wife as "The Dominant Female" is kind of cute at first, but after 300 pages it really grates on the nerves.

Cutesy writing has no place in a book for adults.

Decent, but not great........2004-02-03

Jim Squires, Horse of a Different Color (Perseus, 2002)

Horse of a Different Color is an autobiographical account of Jim Squires getting into the horse breeding business and, three years after he started, breeding 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. Whether that was a stroke of luck or breeding genius remains to be seen, but following Monarchos through the eyes of his breeder is engaging enough to make a decent book.

Where it falls short is in Squires' writing style. First, note the word "autobiographical" in that first paragraph. Squires insisting on using the third person would have been an amusing trick for a chapter or two, but he persists throughout the novel. It gets old after a few pages. Also, there's something vaguely disquieting about his attitude towards women here; it almost seems too deferential to be real (and thus, a cover for something else). This could certainly be a literary device; the book's subtitle does mention that there are an excess of dominant females within these pages. Still, some of the descriptions in here made me read twice.

When he focuses on the horse, though, everything works just fine. Even the annoyance of the insistent third person narrative fades into the background. Monarchos was one hell of a horse, and Squires' book captures that well enough. Not as well as Hillenbrand captured Seabiscuit or Farley captured Man o' War, but enough for the Derby-and-Breeders' Cup horse fan to relive some good memories.

Recommended, though it won't make the top twenty-five list this year. ***

Horse of a different color--LAME.......2004-01-02

I really enjoyed Seabiscuit, so I figured I'd give Horse of a Different
Color a try. This book focuses on the money and the dumb-luck of the
breeder (and author) of Monarchos, Derby winner from a few years back.
The author uses self-depricating humor and name-dropping en masse to
turn an undoubtedly exciting story into a painful, annoying tale. In a
few paragraphs of unwisdom, author Jim Squires mentioned
Seabiscuit, only compounding my fury at what this book is not.
Instead of interesting characters (although I imagine they were there,
Mr. Squires just didn't let us know them), we got names and
generalities. Instead of heart-pounding tales of horse races, we got
ho-hum descriptions of only two races.

I will admit that there were a few worthwhile pages. I was unaware of
the foreign interest in horse racing nor the internal politics of racing and
breeding, but I would have rather read that in a short magazine article.

Maybe this book is selling to all the hopeful newspaper editors turned
lucky breeder. If that's not you, I'd stay away.

terrible.......2003-08-28

the most significant part of this forgettable book is when the author recounts what was said in a magazine about him: 'as long as there is a village without an idiot, this guy will find a home.' that really says it all, don't waste your time or money on this pitiful book.

Horse of a Different Color: Reminiscences of a Kansas Drover

Average customer rating:

Timeless values in overcoming difficulties. A wounderful family book!
Ralph Moody
Vivid history in a home-spun style that leaves you smiling.

Horse of a Different Color: Reminiscences of a Kansas Drover
Ralph Moody
Manufacturer: Bison Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Midwest | Regional U.S. | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

20th Century | World | History | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

The Dry Divide
Shaking the Nickel Bush
Mary Emma & Company (Bison Book)
The Fields of Home
The Home Ranch (Bison Book)

ASIN: 0803282176

Book Description

Horse of a Different Color ends the "roving days" of young Ralph Moody. His saga began on a Colorado ranch in Little Britches and continued at points east and west in Man of the Family, The Fields of Home, The Home Ranch, Mary Emma & Company, Shaking the Nickel Bush, and The Dry Divide. All have been reprinted as Bison Books.

Customer Reviews:

Timeless values in overcoming difficulties. A wounderful family book!.......2006-04-26

Ralph Moody's books are a national treasure demonstrating life at the end of an era while teaching timeless values in an enjoyable and appealing fashion. Almost all of Ralph Moody's books have that "read aloud" feel so rare in literature disigned for families. Told in the first person he tells his story simply with feeling and often some well placed humor.

In this volume Ralph is drawn into the Cattle/livestock business and unwittingly forms a partnership that leaves him unbelievably in debt. Ever resourceful Ralph rebuilds a new business and works to overcome his turn of bad luck.

This is a wounderful story whose enjoyment will be enhanced by reading the other books in the series first as this in the last book.

Ralph Moody.......2001-04-27

When I was a child I read Little Britches, Man of The Family, and Horse of a Different Color. These books/stories are timeless. Any parent who wants to give a good example to a child about resposibility should obtain these.

Vivid history in a home-spun style that leaves you smiling........2000-01-10

Ralph Moody again weaves an artful picture of true life in the real world of the early twentieth century. His easy going style and colorful portrayal of each character give a real livng account of day to day life with a constant optimism that many of us miss in our cynical world. A great read aloud family book aong with the rest in the series. Moody gives character qualities that are rarely found in the novels of today and are much needed especially for todays young men.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty Good.......2001-08-19

Scoop gets another boarder for her stable. A paint named Diablo. Scoop'd friend Maggie 37 Brown starts hanging out with Diablo's owner. Scoop doesn't think Diablo's owner is very nice and she tells Maggie she shouldn't like him, but then she catches the kissing. Maggie wants to be an actress when she grows up. She always is looking for the right name, so she changes the color of her last name to what ever color she is wearing. She can be Maggie 37 Blue, Green or any color. Diablo's owner is going to sell Diablo because Diablo never behaves for him. Diablo seem like a nice horse to Scoop.

Tom Wolfe Carves--A Horse of a Different Color (A Schiffer Book for Woodcarvers)

Average customer rating:

Tom Wolfe Carves--A Horse of a Different Color (A Schiffer Book for Woodcarvers)
Tom Wolfe , and Douglas Congdon-Martin
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Fun with Paper & Wood, Stones & Knives | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Horse Carving With Tom Wolfe (A Schiffer Book for Woodcarvers)

ASIN: 0887407870

Book Description

Very few carvers can carve animals and people with the same skill. Fewer still can convincingly carve realistic figures and caricatures. Tom Wolfe is one of them. Following his book on carving realistic horses, he now he brings the same talent to bear on caricature horses. As always, Tom takes the reader step-by-step through the carving process, with each step illustrated with a clear color photograph. From the blank to the finished painted figure, everything a carver must do is clearly explained. In addition to the standing horse project carved in the book, there are patterns for other projects, a seated horse, a rocking horse, and an Indian on horseback with a dog. A great book for carvers at all levels of expertise., 275 color photos, patterns, 8 1/2" x 11"

Average customer rating:

A Horse of a Different Color
Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Manufacturer: Dodd Mead
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Agriculture | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Horse of a Different Color
Ralph Moody
Manufacturer: Books In Motion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
Similar Items:

Shaking the Nickel Bush (The Little Britches Series) (The Little Britches Series)
The Dry Divide
The Fields of Home
The Home Ranch (Bison Book)
Mary Emma & Company (Bison Book)

ASIN: 1581164556

Product Description

In the early 1920's, cowboy and dry-range farmer, Ralph Moody, found himself with mountainous debts through the collapse of the livestock market, and the dealing of a crooked partner. Ralph faces the choice of declaring bankruptcy before he turns twenty, or working off the intimidating balance against him. Read by Cameron Beierle. 9 CD's 9.1 Hrs.

Average customer rating:

Horse Of A Different Color
Ralph Moody
Manufacturer: Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NPGYL6

Average customer rating:

Horse of a Different Color
Ralph Moody
Manufacturer: Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IOS10E

Average customer rating:

A horse of a different color : poems
Greg Kuzma
Manufacturer: Illuminati
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 0898070023

Book Description

Inspired by the immensely influential 1937 sociological study Middletown: A Case Study in Cultural Conflicts by Rovert and Helen Lynd, Peter Davis's six documentary films about Muncie, Indiana, set out to examine the lives of Munsonians in the early 1980s. The disputes and conflicts accompanying the filming revealed more about AMerican values and customs than the films themselves. While attempting to transform the data from the Middletown studies into a meaningful and interesting visual form, the filmmakers were constantly distracted by the pressures, decisions and perils of government- and corporate-funded documentary filmmaking. Dwight W. Hoover, a Muncie historian and collaborator in the iddletown film project, describes why the folms were make and how they changed the lives of everyone involved.

Customer Reviews:

poor scholarship.......2006-09-08

A very poor book on a fascinating documentary series.

The Middletown Film Project represented a significant crossroads for American documentary, and the ethical and censorship controversies raised (particularly by one film in the series, "Seventeen") presaged many of the issues American documentary makers were to face in the decades that followed.

Unfortunately, Hoover's understanding of documentary is woefully simplistic. He fails to grasp key issues around documentary and broadcast practice, and the text is riddled with factual errors.

Frankly, I'm surprised that this book is in print.

Dull.......1999-07-15

A waste of time. The author doesn't know anything about documentary filmmaking or visual anthropology, and it clearly shows.

The February 2, 1997 reviewer didn't read the book........1999-06-05

Please take the FEb 2, 1997 review off the web. It doesn't make any sense ("inclusion"?) and it assumes things about the author that are not in the book itself ("failed academic" and "paranoid"). The review borders on being actionable....

A badly written vendetta, by a failed academic........1997-02-03

Hoover felt slighted by his total inclusion from the production of these films, and wrote this hard-to-follow book as payback. Unlike most paranoid vendettas, this one isn't even interesting... a waste of money.

Book Description

High Performance is a dramatic, firsthand history of this daring sport, from the earliest "legal" drags run on rural airfields to the spectacular--and sometimes tragic--careers of drag racing's most daring innovators. Post, a former racer himself, was an eyewitness to many of the episodes he describes. He has interviewed many of drag racing's legends and superstars, such as "Pappy" Hart, who opened the first commercial strip in Santa Ana, California, in 1950, and Florida's "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, the first person to define himself as a professional drag racer.

Post looks at all aspects of drag racing: the sport, the business, the means of personal affirmation. But most of all he explores it as a case study of technological enthusiasm, tracking the innovations that permitted racers to disprove on pavement the "laws of physics" authorities had laid out on paper. What emerges is a compelling look at the men and women who have devoted their lives to this extraordinary pursuit. In this revised edition, Post continues the story into the present, surveying the dynamics of the sport during the past decade.

Customer Reviews:

The Bible.......2007-09-19

This is the absolute bible for anyone wanted the real truth about drag racings past. There is tons of insight and some wonderful photo's in this, worth a look for any high performance fan. truly excellent

High Performance.......2006-03-17

The first scholary written and well researched history of the development of drag racing, the cars, drivers, the organizers and promoters, and equipment suppliers, that I have ever read. The history is also full of personal insights and anecdotes which make for interesting and engaging reading. There is enought technical information and discussion for the serious motor heads. For a reader that wants to know how we got to 325 MPH in 4.5 seconds, this is the book.

Must Have Book.......2005-12-18

If nostalgia racing is your thing, this is the one Must Have book to add to your collection. Ask any racer, anywhere, if he has a copy and I'll bet he does. I've sent copies to crew members who are too young to remember some of the heros we see at nostalgia events and all have said this book added new meaning to these nostalgia races and gave new insight into what the nostalgia movement really is all about.

Entertaining history of drag racing.......2004-10-24

If you are looking for a history of drag racing from its inception to the present day, this book is for you. It is a fascinating look at the sport from the outlaw street racing days to the highly organized events that we see today. Lots of information and stories about the personalities and organizations that have been involved over the years, including engine builders, drivers, chassis builders and backers. The origins of the major organizing bodies and their battles for supremacy are all recounted. Organizations formed by the drivers in their attempts to get a fair share of the money are covered as well. As far as the machines themselves go, the focus is on top fuel, but other classes are also covered, primarily funny cars. The book describes the major technological advances in terms of tires, engine placement, aerodynamics, etc., but overall is rather light on technical details. But that is not the thrust of the book anyway. It's intended to be a historical document, and it is a very good and entertaining one.

High Performance: I like it !!.......2004-03-12

I really enjoyed this book, I'm a front engine dragster fan and found the history very informative. It is somewhat bookish but if you love drag racing I believe you will enjoy this book!!

Customer Reviews:

Excelent buy but a little slow delivery.......2007-06-27

The item was great, at great price... but the delivery (shipping) was kind'a slow. Anyway... trust all they say about products and online shopping.

Ok for beginners.......2006-03-07

I bought this book based on the reviews I read on here and I was not happy with it at all. I am a recent graduate of an advertising program and am currently completing a portfolio program. I had hoped this book would provide me with some sort of valuable insight. Unfortunately it seems to be geared toward those who know nothing about advertising at all. Much of this information is in the text book from my very first advertising class, and the rest of it belongs in a marketing text book. After buying this book Bruce came to my school as a candidate for an open teaching position. The students were not impressed with him. He is very old school. While there is a lot we can learn from people who are "old school", there is no room in this business for people who are stuck in their ways. If you are a beginner and are looking to learn a few things about advertising this may be the book for you. If not, save your 40 bucks.

A Gift to Copywriters.......2006-01-22

Among the 100-plus how-to books on my office shelves, Bruce Bendinger's well-thumbed first edition of the Workbook stands out. This book taught me, for instance, to write an effective creative strategy. (Thank you, Mr. Bendinger!) Fifteen years into my copywriting career, I can report that the Workbook has stood the test of time. It is fast, uniquely informative, practical and "really updated" in 2002. If copywriting is your profession, you'll be glad you own this useful book.

The Copy Workshop is Outstanding, A "Must Have" Gold Mine For Any Copywriter.......2005-10-21

Truly one of the best resources on direct response copywriting I have ever come across. Those familiar with Joe Sugarman's "Advertising Secrets of The Written Word" will devour this book too, presented in similar style with excellent visual examples of the concepts taught. One of the few "must have" copywriting books to add to your collection.

Good Resource.......2005-09-13

This book is a great resource for anyone who is learning or wants to know about the history and main concepts of advertising. It provides many examples from the past and present. I am using this for a class and it has been nothing but helpful.

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