Description: "Jay Cooke's Gamble: The Northen Pacific Railroad, the Sioux, and the Panic of 1873" was written by M. John Lubetkin and published by the University of Oklahoma Press in Norman, OK in 2006. This is a hardcover, first edition, second printing of this captivating and superbly illustrated 380-page history featuring numerous historic black-and-white photographs, illustrations and maps. From the dustjacket blurb:“In 1869, Jay Cooke, the country’s leading banker, was revered as ‘the financier of the Civil War’ and was, at age 48, bored with just making money. After being rejcted as secretary of the treasury, the brilliant but idiosyncratic Cooke again decided to do something challenging: finance the Northern Pacific, a transcontinental railroad planned from Duluth, Minnesota, to Seattle.“M. John Lubetkin tells how Cooke’s gamble reignited war with the Sioux, rescued George Armstrong Custer from obscurity, created Yellowstone Park, set off a wave of European immigration, pushed frontier settlement 400 miles westward, halted western Canada’s drift into the U.S. orbit, triggered the Panic of 1873, and spurred J. P. Morgan’s rise.“But Cooke, who staked his reputation and wealth on the Northern Pacific, did not anticipate inept and dishonest company management, nor realize the extreme challenges of crossing 125 miles of Minnesota swamp. He failed to understand he couldn’t control Congress and was unprepared for the financial and political coalition that confronted him. Most of all, Cooke underestimated the determination of Sitting Bull’s Sioux and Cheyenne followers to continue living and hunting as they had in the past.“When railroad surveyors and army escorts ignored Sitting Bull’s warning not to enter the Yellowstone Valley, Indian attacks—combined with alcoholic commanders—led to embarrassing setbacks on the field and in the nation’s press.“Finally, President Grant turned to the soldier he most trusted—Custer, who was soon locked in combat with Crazy Horse and Gall, as well as his immediate superiors. However, it was Custer’s pen, not his sword, that Cooke would rue.“Yet, sustained by the conviction that he was ‘God’s chosen instrument,’ Cooke never gave up. By September 1873, Bismarck was reached, the Northern Pacific’s revenues exceeded expenses, and track was planned to the Yellowstone. Then Custer’s melodramatic report of the fight on the Yellowstone reached New York press. Within hours the news jolted Wall Street. “Lubetkin’s suspenseful narrative describes events played out from Wall Street to the Yellowstone and vividly portrays the soldiers, engineers, businessmen, politicians, and Native Americans who tried to build of block the Northern Pacific.”And from the reviews: “A treat beyond all expectations. . . . One of the most interesting multifaceted histories to come down the trail in many years.”—True West “Lubetkin’s singular achievement is to link Jay Cooke with George Armstrong Custer—the world of robber baron finance with the world of Indian fighting.”—Robert M. Utley The book is in fine, collectible condition, with no torn or bent pages, no scratches, stains or inscriptions, no remainder marks, no price-clipping, no bookplate, no ex-library, no book club edition, no flaws of any sort. It is as new.The dustjacket is in equally fine shape and is protected in a clear and removable archival cover.Please see the photos for a fuller description and author profile.BLK BOX 312PLEASE SEE THE OTHER TITLES NOW LISTED IN MY EBAY STORE: DISTANT VOYAGE BOOKSPAYPAL PREFERREDWill combine shipping.All items are well packed and are normally mailed within two days of payment being received.My 100% feedback rating is valuable to me. If you are satisfied with a transaction, please leave feedback and I will do the same.Questions welcome. Additional photographs on request.Note: Scrolling through my listings will locate books in these and many other categories:Animals; Art & Architecture; Biography; Children’s; Collecting & Collectibles; Entertainment, Film & Theater; Fiction; Food & Drink; Gardening; History; Military; Music; Natural History; Nautical; Photography; Science & Technology; Travel; Space; Sports; Transportation. New Listings added every week.
Price: 20 USD
Location: Yorba Linda, California
End Time: 2025-02-04T04:15:56.000Z
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Publication Year: 2006
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Book Title: Jay Cooke's Gamble
Narrative Type: Nonfiction
Author: M. John Lubetkin
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
Genre: Biographies & True Stories, History
Original Language: English
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Topic: Northern Pacific Railroad, Jay Cooke--American Entrepreneur, Sioux Indians, Battle of Little Bighorn, American Railroads--History, Financial Crises--United States--19th Century, George Armstrong Custer, Panic of 1873--United States--Financial