---
product_id: 50898442
title: "The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt (Pulitzer Prize Winner)"
price: "€ 32.38"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.gr/products/50898442-the-first-tycoon-the-epic-life-of-cornelius-vanderbilt-pulitzer
store_origin: GR
region: Greece
---

# Pulitzer Prize Winner Guaranteed secure packaging Same-day dispatch before noon The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt (Pulitzer Prize Winner)

**Price:** € 32.38
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 📖 Own the story that built America’s business empire — don’t miss out!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt (Pulitzer Prize Winner)
- **How much does it cost?** € 32.38 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.gr](https://www.desertcart.gr/products/50898442-the-first-tycoon-the-epic-life-of-cornelius-vanderbilt-pulitzer)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Risk-Free Purchase:** No quibbles returns mean you can buy with confidence and zero hassle.
- • **Epic Business Legacy:** Dive into the life of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the original tycoon who shaped modern capitalism.
- • **Award-Winning Insight:** Pulitzer Prize-winning narrative that blends rigorous scholarship with gripping storytelling.
- • **Fast & Reliable Delivery:** Order before noon and get your copy dispatched the same day—because knowledge waits for no one.
- • **Pristine Condition Guaranteed:** NewMint condition ensures your collector’s edition looks flawless on your shelf.

## Overview

The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt is a Pulitzer Prize-winning biography that chronicles the relentless drive and groundbreaking business strategies of one of America’s most influential entrepreneurs. Delivered in new mint condition with guaranteed secure packaging and same-day dispatch for orders before noon, this book offers a compelling blend of historical insight and adventure, perfect for professionals seeking inspiration from a true titan of industry.

## Description

The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt (Pulitzer Prize Winner) : Stiles, T.J.: desertcart.co.uk: Books

Review: Adventures in business building - I would imagine a huge amount of work must have gone into this book. The story truly is epic and spans a seminal period of US history. Vanderbilt seems to have influenced so many of the formative events of that time, far more so than the average run of the mill US president. He is admirable for his energy, intellect, focus, ferocious determination and straightforward dealing. He was also a buccaneer, obsessively frugal and competitive, and seemed to measure success entirely by the amount of money he could make and keep. The way he dealt with his family and his attitude to social matters would not attract much admiration today, but then he made his family fabulously wealthy and created many thousands of new jobs. More significantly, he helped breakdown the aristocratic cronyism inherited from the old world in ways which enabled the US to lay the foundations of its future wealth. According to the book, and it is persuasive, Vanderbilt created and refined business models which are in wide use today. It reminds us of the old truths - success being a product of consistent, long term effort, rather than short term enthusiasm, the importance of being able to handle disappointment and failure, the willingness to develop judgement and take calculated risks, etc. I loved the book because, amongst its many qualities, it is well structured, easy to read and avoids the kind of sensational treatment characters like Vanderbilt sometimes attract. It does not pronounce judgement. Rather, it demonstrates an even balance and historical scholarship. But, it also reads like an adventure story and could make a stunning film with a Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role. My only criticism is that the although the book has been beautifully produced, I would have preferred a lightweight paper back version which didn't consume so much of the luggage allowance.
Review: Highly recommended. - Having recently been to North Carolina and visited Biltmore, I wanted to read more about Vanderbilt, and how he made his fortune. This is a very well researched and written book, and apart from telling the story of Cornelius Vanderbilt himself, it is a fascinating history of the United States in the Nineteenth Century, the early days of steam paddle boats and railways, the Civil War, and the foundation of the US dollar, corporations, corruption in government and much more. Highly recommended.

## Features

- New
- Mint Condition
- Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
- Guaranteed packaging
- No quibbles returns

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | 46,143 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 28 in Marine & Nautical Technology 69 in Railway Transport 105 in Business Biographies & Memoirs (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,271 Reviews |

## Images

![The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt (Pulitzer Prize Winner) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61su5kSOeyL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Adventures in business building
*by B***N on 18 August 2009*

I would imagine a huge amount of work must have gone into this book. The story truly is epic and spans a seminal period of US history. Vanderbilt seems to have influenced so many of the formative events of that time, far more so than the average run of the mill US president. He is admirable for his energy, intellect, focus, ferocious determination and straightforward dealing. He was also a buccaneer, obsessively frugal and competitive, and seemed to measure success entirely by the amount of money he could make and keep. The way he dealt with his family and his attitude to social matters would not attract much admiration today, but then he made his family fabulously wealthy and created many thousands of new jobs. More significantly, he helped breakdown the aristocratic cronyism inherited from the old world in ways which enabled the US to lay the foundations of its future wealth. According to the book, and it is persuasive, Vanderbilt created and refined business models which are in wide use today. It reminds us of the old truths - success being a product of consistent, long term effort, rather than short term enthusiasm, the importance of being able to handle disappointment and failure, the willingness to develop judgement and take calculated risks, etc. I loved the book because, amongst its many qualities, it is well structured, easy to read and avoids the kind of sensational treatment characters like Vanderbilt sometimes attract. It does not pronounce judgement. Rather, it demonstrates an even balance and historical scholarship. But, it also reads like an adventure story and could make a stunning film with a Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role. My only criticism is that the although the book has been beautifully produced, I would have preferred a lightweight paper back version which didn't consume so much of the luggage allowance.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly recommended.
*by M***W on 9 January 2015*

Having recently been to North Carolina and visited Biltmore, I wanted to read more about Vanderbilt, and how he made his fortune. This is a very well researched and written book, and apart from telling the story of Cornelius Vanderbilt himself, it is a fascinating history of the United States in the Nineteenth Century, the early days of steam paddle boats and railways, the Civil War, and the foundation of the US dollar, corporations, corruption in government and much more. Highly recommended.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fascinating
*by G***N on 29 November 2022*

A fascinating and well written book about a fascinating and great man. There is no question, but that Commodore Vanderbilt did much to create the world as it is today. This in itself justifies a biography of him. But his life’s story was also amazing.

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*Product available on Desertcart Greece*
*Store origin: GR*
*Last updated: 2026-03-05*