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A Most Wicked Conspiracy

The Last Great Swindle of the Gilded Age
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( 102 ratings, 30 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Most Wicked Conspiracy by Paul Starobin delves into the feverish pursuit of wealth in Nome, Alaska, during the gold rush at the turn of the 20th century. It paints a vivid picture of ambition, greed, and the chaotic quest for fortune amidst the harsh Alaskan landscape. The narrative captures the interplay of nature and politics as fortune seekers grapple with ethical dilemmas and environmental challenges.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by historical adventures and enjoy uncovering the political and personal intrigues of the past. Set in a particular time and place, it provides a riveting exploration of greed and ambition, making it a captivating read for those who relish tales of adventure entwined with historical context.

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A tale of Gilded Age corruption -- gold-looting, court-buying, and good old fashioned venality -- that extended from the new frontier of Alaska to the Oval Office.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In the feverish, money-making age of railroad barons, political machines, and gold rushes, corruption was the rule, not the exception. Yet the Republican mogul 'Big Alex' McKenzie's audacity was remarkable. Charismatic and shameless, he arrived in the recently purchased Alaskan territory with a federal district judge in his pocket, intent on claiming stewardship over any ambiguously claimed gold mines and promptly draining them of all of their ore.

Working-class miners who had rushed to the frozen tundra to strike gold were appalled at his open greed and disregard for maintaining even the pretense of good faith. A Most Wicked Conspiracy tells the story of McKenzie's misdeeds, the resistance of the wronged miners, and the way the scandal captured the national spotlight β€” with the press eager to show how America's political and economic life was in the grip of domineering, self-dealing, seemingly-untouchable party bosses in cahoots with robber barons, Senators, and even Presidents.

These events resonate well into the 21st century. At the core is an eternal question: should the law be a tool of the rich and the powerful for the accomplishment of their nefarious schemes, or an impartial force for justice from which no person can escape?

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviews highlight A Most Wicked Conspiracy as an engaging narrative rich in historical detail and vivid storytelling. It captures a notorious swindle in Alaska during the Gilded Age, blending a well-researched account with elements of drama and intrigue. Critics praise the book for shedding light on corruption and human perseverance, often finding its lessons relevant to contemporary times.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781541742307

Publisher: PublicAffairs,U.S.

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 02 July 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: PublicAffairs,U.S.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 162.0mm

Height: 250.0mm

Weight: 540g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Paul Starobin is the author of Madness Rules the Hour: Charleston, 1860 and the Mania for War, praised by the New York Times as a 'fast-paced, engagingly written account' of the hysteria that descended on Charleston, South Carolina, on the eve of the Civil War. He has been a frequent contributor to the Atlantic and is a former Moscow bureau chief for Business Week. He has written for other publications including the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Politico, National Geographic, and Smithsonian. He lives with his family in Orleans, Massachusetts.

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