Fresh and thought-provoking, "Money and Morals in America" recounts the history of the conflict between greed and good in our country, from the founding fathers to the junk bond traders.
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On visiting America in the 1830s, Alexis de Tocqueville remarked on the state of democracy as reflected by the individual American, who was "habitually engaged in the contemplation of a very puny object: namely himself." And so started the theoretical debate on the relationship between the greed of the individual and moral conscience, an argument that has raged from the first settlers to the present day. Patricia O'Toole, author of Money and Morals in America views this relationship as a conflict "between selfish desires and shared obligations." To examine the validity of her conclusion, O'Toole decided to venture back into the past and chronicle the actions of a number of significant, wealthy individuals and organizations, aiming to explore how they dealt with their self-interest versus the common good.
There was Henry Ford's "Five Dollar Day," which doubled his employees pay to evoke a sense of loyalty, while at the same time tampering with their privacy; Benjamin Franklin, whose actions were the paragon of selflessness as he applied his talents to the advancement of public good; and inventor William C. Norris, who questioned the limited vision of corporations by envisioning a future in which they would profit by "solving major social problems."
O'Toole herself admits that the purpose of her work is to explore history for poignant examples of the clash between money and morals without over-analyzing the evidence. Instead she paints a wonderful mural of American culture, giving example to our perpetual connection to money. Ultimately, her book raises the following questions: What is the relationship of the self and society? Are all acts selfish? Are we victims to this culture, and what will become of our future if we cannot give something back? From person to person, no set of answers will be the same, which paradoxically illustrates why our society is so unique in its individuality. --Jeremy Storey
From Library Journal
O'Toole, whose The Five Hearts: An Intimate Portrait of Henry Adams (Potter, 1990) was a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award, tackles an even more complex historical topic here. Rather than undertake a single biographical study, however, she now examines 13 separate individuals and groups from the Colonial era to the present to explicate what she sees as a predominant dualism in the character of Americans by which both acquisitiveness and doing good coexist. The author's case studies?from John Winthrop in the 17th century, through slaves in antebellum Georgia, to several contemporary examples?deserve praise for their diversity. They range from the prominent to anonymous. Not intended for scholars, the book nonetheless led to some fascinating primary information, such as that about World War II shipyards. Nonetheless, the author's unorthodox and confusing method of citing her sources will limit the ability of others to follow up with more comprehensive work. For larger public libraries.?Charles K. Piehl, Mankato State Univ., MN
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A careful dig into the evolution of wealth and morality.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Money and Morals in America: A History (Hardcover)
O'Toole's talent and indefatigable research hit pay dirt! Money & Morals in America is the best book I've read on the evolution of business and social issues in the USA. She has taken complex subjects and smoothed them out for a pleasurable read. Economics and morality have changed much since Poor Richard sold pamphlets and every entrepreneur should study these trends.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful stories of heros doing the right thing.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Money and Morals in America: A History (Hardcover)
I did not believe Money AND Morals could be used together, until I read this book. It always seemed like an either/or dilemma. Either commit yourself to make money or live a moral and less prosperous life. These stories were about people who found that it was good business to include everyone. The heros in this book didn't shower poor people with money, they offered a hand and an opportunity to do better for themselves and families. A tribute to American independence.
3 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interseting, clearly with a liberal point of view.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Money and Morals in America: A History (Hardcover)
The stories of early Americans and early twentieth century people are interesting and informative. The post WWII accounts promote an annoying liberal agenda. The author tries to equate some second rate modern liberals with true "giants" of American history.
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