Review

The Empire Builders

This book offers the pleasure of reading about uncompromisingly independent men who built or revolutionized industries.

Until the early part of this century, Michigan had a mostly laissez-fair economy. Consequently, it was home to a number of giants of industry. Empire Builders tells the stories of some of them, such as John Jacob Astor, America's largest fur magnate; Herbert Dow, a leading producer of chemicals; and Henry Ford. Folsom recounts both their achievements and the obstacles – natural and political-they had to overcome. He shows the qualities of character all these giants shared: implacable independence, persistence in the face of failure or opposition, passionate devotion to their work.

Folsom (author of The Myth of the Robber Barons) also shows us why government interference in business turns even the most honest government agents into economic destroyers. His account of Michigan's governor's naive entry into the railroad business is quite illuminating.

Folsom unequivocally defends America's empire builders, and distinguishes them from "political entrepreneurs, who tried to succeed by using government to give them an advantage." Although Folsom accepts the mistaken notion that the industrialists' motivation was service to others, this idea is belied by his own description of how they were fueled by a self-interested passion for their work.

This work is the inspiring account of the achievements of great men.

(205 pages)

This review is courtesy of and copyright © by the Ayn Rand Bookstore.

Books

• The Empire Builders by Folsom. Stirring accounts of the industrial pioneers of Michigan.