The Financier: Trilogy of Desire, Book 1

This powerful novel explores the dynamics of the financial world during the Civil War and after the stock market panic caused by the Chicago fire. Frank Cowperwood, a ruthlessly dominating broker, climbs the ladder of success, with his loving mistress championing his every move.

Based on the life of flamboyant financier C. T. Yerkes, Theodore Dreiser's portrayal of the unscrupulous magnate Cowperwood embodies the idea that behind every great fortune there is a crime. Although Dreiser is not known for his literary finesse, his great intensity and keen journalistic eye give this portrait a powerful reality.