THE MONEY MAKER

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 13, 1972

This is a mildly entertaining old-fashioned novel, heavy on international financial wheeling-dealing but rather weak on that other staple of the genre -- sex. Jason Steele's enormous drive for power was evident from the time this fisherman's son impressed the New England Carters enough to allow their daughter, albeit grudgingly, to marry him, but nowhere does it shine so well in its glorious eccentricity as when he battles Manny Kellerman for control of the world's largest investment company. Not only does the attempt fail (Kellerman's unscrupulous assistant defeats them both) but the illegal shuffling of stocks and bonds collapses about Jason's head with falling stock prices of his own company, forced bankruptcy, and finally prosecution on various charges of theft and embezzlement. Tired of his adulteries and egomania, the wife also deserts him, leaving the ex-tycoon worse off than in the beginning when at least he had the chance of topping those proper Bostonians. The novel is 1950ish moralistic, showing the corruptive force of money and power, and hinting that happiness is best obtained by hard work and loyalty to one's own social class.

Pub Date: Oct. 13, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: T.Y. Crowell

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1972

Categories: FICTION