Ignorance, Confidence, and Filthy Rich Friends: The Business Adventures of Mark Twain, Chronic Speculator and Entrepreneur

While the entire world knows Mark Twain as the renowned author of many classic American novels, few people are aware that he was also a highly successful businessman. In fact, more than half of his life was consumed by moneymaking pursuits, which often resulted in writing projects being neglected—but at the same time, these adventures were the inspiration behind many of the characters found in his books.
In Ignorance, Confidence, and Filthy Rich Friends, Peter Krass captures a little–known side of this American icon and details the roller coaster ride of his business ventures in a dramatic, entertaining, and informative narrative style. From Twain′s time as the founder of his own publishing house—where he made a small fortune publishing General Ulysses S. Grant′s memoirs—to his foray into venture capitalism and investment in numerous start–up firms, to his focus on his own inventions, this engaging book reveals the Mark Twain that few of us know: the no–nonsense, successful American businessman.

Spis treści:
Chapter one. Early Hard Knocks on the Road to Riches and Fame.
Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: How to Outwit Your Superiors.
Chapter two. How to Quit a Good Job and Then Lose a Million Dollars.
Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Even a Crank Knows to Dress for Success.
Chapter three. Sometimes Necessity Is the Mother of a Career.
Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Overcoming Stage Fright and Winning the Audience as a Public Speaker.
Chapter four. Welcome to Corporate America: Hard–Nosed Negotiating and Profit–Driven Management.
Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: The Authors Stormy Work Habits.
Chapter five. Sucked into the Gilded Age: Money Lust and the Making of an Inventor.
Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Managing a Glut of Loathsome Correspondence.
Chapter six. Seeing and Seizing Opportunities:Venture Capitalist and Wall Street Spe culator.
Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: The Half–Soled Stockbroker.
Chapter seven. Bold Vision and Imagination: How Twain Made General U. S. Grant and Himself Rich.
Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Smoking Inspires Brainstorming and Problem Solving.
Chapter eight. A Shakespearean Business Tale: How Blind Love in Business Turns to Tragedy.
Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Image Is Everything, But Interviews Are Twaddle.
Chapter nine. Enduring Financial Crisis and Adversity:A Rockefeller Crony Comes to the Rescue.
Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Are Ethics for Fools?
Chapter ten. Salvaging a Career and Dignity.
Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: Avoid My Example.
Chapter eleven. Back in the Saddle: Playing the Insiders Game.
Quirky Habits and Brazen Philosophy: How to Live a Long, Successful Life.
Selected Mark Twain Maxims.
Notes.
Index.

Nota biograficzna:
Peter Krass is an accomplished and prolific author, editor, and researcher. He has written and edited ten books, including Portrait of War, Blood & Whiskey: The Life and Times of Jack Daniel and Carnegie, all published by Wiley. Krass lives in Hanover, New Hampshire.


Okładka tylna:
While the entire world knows Mark Twain as the renowned author of many classic American novels, few people are aware that he was also a highly successful businessman. In fact, more than half of his life was consumed by moneymaking pursuits, which often resulted in writing projects being neglected—but at the same time, these adventures were the inspiration behind many of the characters found in his books.
In Ignorance, Confidence, and Filthy Rich Friends, Peter Krass captures a little–known side of this American icon and details the roller coaster ride of his business ventures in a dramatic, entertaining, and informative narrative style. From Twain′s time as the founder of his own publishing house—where he made a small fortune publishing General Ulysses S. Grant′s memoirs—to his foray into venture capitalism and investment in numerous start–up firms, to his focus on his own inventions, this engaging book reveals the Mark Twain that few of us know: the no–nonsense, successful American businessman.