The Gold Ring: Jim Fisk, Jay Gould, and Black Friday, 1869

by Ackerman, Kenneth D.

• ISBN13: 9780786714421
• ISBN10: 0786714425
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-09
• Publisher: Perseus Books Group

Summary

In The Gold Ring, Capitol Hill veteran Kenneth D. Ackerman tells the story of two dazzling con men who rose to the top of the Erie Railway Company before fixing their ambitions on a scam so great it would make them two of the richest men in Americaand cement their reputation as two of the most corrupt. They were Jay Gould, the ruthless self-promoter who came to be recognized as the most hated, if brilliant, man of his generation, and his partner, the extravagant showman Jim Fisk, whose insatiable indulgences finally led to his demise. Featuring a cast of supporting characters that includes Boss Tweed, Albert Cardozo, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Ulysses S. Grant, The Gold Ring evokes an age of scandal and depravity in the world of high finance that makes today's climate of corporate excess and deception seem positively tame by comparison. Featuring numerous historic photographs, this is a compelling and fiercely entertaining insight into Wall Street's early years.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION TO THE 2005 EDITION	v
AUTHOR'S NOTE	ix
PART I THE RING	1	(32)
1 War	3	(9)
2 "Fort Taylor"	12	(5)
3 The Money Lock-Up	17	(16)
PART II GOLDEN VISIONS	33	(18)
4 Alliances	35	(10)
5 Trial Balloon	45	(6)
PART III THE FIX	51	(38)
6 The Politico	53	(10)
7 Savior of the Nation	63	(7)
8 Propaganda	70	(5)
9 A New Stooge	75	(5)
10 The Plunge	80	(9)
PART IV SHOULDER TO SHOULDER	89	(14)
11 Coming Undone	91	(7)
12 Shoulder to Shoulder	98	(5)
PART V BEARS	103	(40)
13 Bankers	105	(9)
14 The Bold and Brilliant Plan	114	(5)
15 A Done Deal	119	(5)
16 Twisting Arms	124	(9)
17 Resistance	133	(2)
18 Messages	135	(8)
PART VI BULLS	143	(50)
19 Sneak Attack	145	(7)
20 Bad Blood	152	(2)
21 Change of Plans	154	(5)
22 Center Stage	159	(7)
23 Putting Heads Together	166	(4)
24 Forboding	170	(7)
25 Eye of the Storm	177	(16)
PART VII OUTLAWS	193	(52)
26 High Old Times	195	(6)
27 Falling Out	201	(9)
28 Wreckage	210	(6)
29 Behind the Barricades	216	(8)
30 Family	224	(3)
31 Bears Regroup	227	(5)
32 Lawyers	232	(5)
33 Coup d'Etat	237	(8)
PART VIII DIRTY LAUNDRY	245	(18)
34 Astounding Revelations	247	(9)
35 Politics	256	(7)
PART IX FORTUNES	263	(26)
36 Evasions	265	(6)
37 Light of Day	271	(7)
38 Bygones	278	(11)
APPENDIX: "Israel Freyers Bid for Gold"	289	(4)
NOTES	293	(38)
GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY	331	(6)
INDEX	337	(4)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	341