Diamond Jim Brady

Praise for H. Paul Jeffers

An Honest President: The Life and Presidencies of GroverCleveland
"A well-written and timely book that reminds us of GroverCleveland?s courage, commitment, and honesty at a time when thesequalities seem so lacking in so much of American politics." ?JamesMacGregor Burns, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National BookAward

Colonel Roosevelt: Theodore Roosevelt Goes to War, 1879-1898
"A handsome narrative of a crucial period in the career of one ofour country?s most colorful politicians." ?Publishers Weekly

Commissioner Roosevelt: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt and the NewYork City Police, 1895-1897
"A lively, entertaining, and well-researched portrait of a zealousreformer during the historic crusade that successfully launched hiscareer in government." ?Publishers Weekly Introduction: Table for One, Dinner for Twenty-five.

Make Them Like You.

The American Beauty.

Mr. First Nighter.

"Nell, I'm Rich!"

Ain't It Grand?

The Earth for Fifty Cents.

Sidewalks of New York.

Big Wheeler-Dealer.

I Can Always Start Over.

Rogues, Rascals, and Railroaders.

The Girl's a Lady.

"This Is Where I Live."

"Have You Got the Sauce?"

Farmer Jim.

Off to the Races.

Peacocks Parade.

"Oh, My Poor Jim."

"Why Spoil a Beautiful Friendship?"

"Big, Genial Diamond Jim Brady."

Notes and Sources.

Bibliography.

Index. The story of an industrial giant of the Gilded Age who looms tallover the colorless tycoons of today, H. Paul Jeffers's rollickingaccount of the life and times of "Diamond" Jim Brady is one of themost entertaining historical business narratives in recent memory.Born in 1856 into an Irish immigrant family who ran a saloon on theLower East side, Jim Brady had an early hunger for just abouteverything and the wherewithal to get it. At age 11, he went towork as a bellhop at the St. James Hotel, where the "genial,roly-poly blue-eyed Irish youth" quickly ingratiated himself withthe hotel's visitors and promptly spent his ample tips on food. Afrequent guest, John Toucey, who worked for Cornelius Vanderbilt'srailroad empire, hired Brady at age 15; soon Brady worked his wayup to railroad equipment salesman, encountering precious few whocold not be won over by his twinkle-eyed merriment, awesomegenerosity and garangtuan appetite for food. At a time when Americawas bursting at the seams with industrial expansion and new-foundwealth, his expense reports were the stuff of legend; he celebratedeach big sale by buying himself the best and gaudiest clothes andjewelry. But for all his larger-than-life boorishness, the man whoemerges here is surprisingly cultured. For more than three decades,he never missed a Broadway opening; theater producers could tellwhere plays needed work simply by watching Jim's reaction in thefront row. While Jeffers sometimes skimps on detailing how Jimamassed his fortunes--it isn't until late in the book we get a goodaccounting of his sales practices--the story of this symbol ofAmerica's Gilded Age is filled with such gusto and vigor that evenhardcore business readers will be swept away. (Publishers Weekly,August 20, 2001)

Even if many Americans are not familiar with the story of DiamondJim Brady, very likely the name still rings a bell. Prolific authorJeffers (e.g., An Honest President; Sal Mineo) fully develops thissuperb historical biography of one or more of the colorfulcharacters in American history. Brady's story is a classic HoratioAlger tale of determined success. From his Irish immigrant roots inlower Manhattan, he eventually became renowned for his colossaleating, massive girth, and signature jewelry. Jeffer's spiritedwriting brings to life Brady's youth, his earl hard-working daysbellhopping and selling railroad supplies during America's greatrail expansion, his long-term relationship with Lillian Russell,and of course, those countless 14-course meals. Jeffers deftlyweaves together intriguing stage-setting explanations of the age ofthe robber barons, the crash of 1893, and that unforgettable era ofunbridled wealth for the few in 1890s New York. As this marvelousstory reveals, Brady's lavish lifestyle embodies America's GildedAge. Highly recommended for all libraries. -Dale Farris, Groves, TX(Library Journal, September 1, 2001) H. PAUL JEFFERS has written over twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, including Commissioner Roosevelt and Colonel Roosevelt, both published by Wiley. Diamond Jim Brady

PRINCE OF THE GILDED AGE

James Buchanan "Diamond Jim" Brady was one of the most colorful figures of the Gilded Age, the most glamorous era in U.S. history. In this lively biography, acclaimed journalist, broadcaster, and historian H. Paul Jeffers brings the high lord of the New York glitterati, his classic rags-to-riches story, and the lavish era he exemplified, to shimmering life for a new generation of readers.

Tracing Brady’s trajectory from New York’s worst slums to the watering holes of high society, this spirited book reveals his speedy rise from bellhop to supersalesman to nationally reputed financier during a period dominated by industrial titans and robber barons. As renowned for his limitless appetites as he was for his monetary talents, Brady was celebrated for his ability to consume colossal quantities of food and drink at a single sitting, for his much-storied relationship with world-famous beauty, singer, and actress Lillian Russell, and, of course, for the abundance of gaudy jewelry with which he adorned his massive girth——and from which his nickname derived.

Absorbing and intriguing, Diamond Jim Brady vividly recreates this exciting and sumptuous era, the larger-than-life man at its helm, as well as its richly memorable characters, happenings——and scandals.

Praise for H. Paul Jeffers

An Honest President: The Life and Presidencies of Grover Cleveland
"A well-written and timely book that reminds us of Grover Cleveland?s courage, commitment, and honesty at a time when these qualities seem so lacking in so much of American politics." ?James MacGregor Burns, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award

Colonel Roosevelt: Theodore Roosevelt Goes to War, 1879-1898
"A handsome narrative of a crucial period in the career of one of our country?s most colorful politicians." ?Publishers Weekly

Commissioner Roosevelt: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt and the New York City Police, 1895-1897
"A lively, entertaining, and well-researched portrait of a zealous reformer during the historic crusade that successfully launched his career in government." ?Publishers Weekly