Tycoon's War chronicles the epic clash between American adventurer William Walker, who briefly conquered Nicaragua in the mid-1850s, and Cornelius Vanderbilt, who sought to control shipping routes across Central America. The book explores their contrasting visions of Manifest Destiny and the violent conflict that ensued. It delves into the military campaigns and the broader historical context of U.S. involvement in the region.
In 'The Founders', Jimmy Soni delves into the turbulent early days of PayPal, a company that would become one of the world's foremost payment platforms. With hundreds of interviews and unprecedented access to internal material, Soni chronicles the challenges faced by the founders, including bruising competition, internal strife, online fraud, and the dot-com bust of the 2000s. The book highlights how this group of entrepreneurs, often referred to as the 'PayPal mafia', went on to form, fund, and advise leading companies such as Tesla, Facebook, YouTube, SpaceX, and LinkedIn. It is a story of iteration, inventiveness, and the profound impact these individuals had on modern technology and entrepreneurship.
This book provides an intimate and profound glimpse into the life and mind of John D. Rockefeller through 38 letters he wrote to his son, John D. Rockefeller Jr., over several decades. The letters cover a wide range of topics including business, philanthropy, leadership, ethics, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. Rockefeller shares his personal experiences, successes, and failures, imparting valuable lessons on hard work, integrity, and the importance of taking risks. The letters are accompanied by insightful commentary and analysis, providing historical context and highlighting their impact on his son's life and the broader world.
The book delves into the life of Daniel Ludwig, a high-school dropout who became one of the wealthiest men in the world through his ventures in shipping, oil, banking, and real estate. Ludwig's story is marked by his relentless ambition, innovative business tactics, and a penchant for maintaining privacy despite his immense wealth. The biography also explores his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.
What I learned from rereading Tycoon's War: How Cornelius Vanderbilt Invaded a Country to Overthrow America's Most Famous Military Adventurer by Stephen Dando-Collins.
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(0:01) Vanderbilt was only interested in two things: making money and winning
(3:00) Cornelius Vanderbilt, the descendant of poor Dutch immigrants, would die in 1877 possessing more money than was held by the United States treasury.
(3:00) The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt by T.J. Stiles
(5:00) The NEW Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charlie Munger. (Founders #329)
(6:00) “If I had learned education. I would not have had time to learn anything else.”
(7:00) Vanderbilt wrote nothing down, keeping every detail of his business dealings in his head, and at any given time he knew his income and expenditures down to the last cent.
(10:00) From Founders Notes. I asked the chat feature:
Tell me about Cornelius Vanderbilt. How did he make his money?
One trait it identified in Vanderbilt was this:
Vanderbilt's approach to business was often marked by a sly concealment of his intentions, keeping information close while simultaneously gathering intelligence on competitors. This strategic obfuscation allowed him to make moves that others often couldn't predict or comprehend until it was too late
(This feature will be available to Founders Notes subscribers very soon!)
(15:00) The Invisible Billionaire: Daniel Ludwig by Jerry Shields (Founders #292)
(24:00) The Founders: The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley by Jimmy Soni. (Founders #233)
(26:00) Gentlemen, you have undertaken to cheat me. I won’t sue you, for the law is too slow. I’ll ruin you. Yours truly, Cornelius Vanderbilt.
(37:00) He's turning everyone against Walker by appealing to their interests. He’s not saying do this for me to get my ships back. He appeals to their interests and aligns their interests with his own.
(40:00) Vanderbilt had more money than all the Central American governments combined.
(41:00) As far as my nature is concerned, I do not meet competition, I destroy competitors.
— The 38 Letters from J.D. Rockefeller to His Son by John D. Rockefeller. (Founders #324)
(41:00) Vanderbilt said why don’t you pay me to not compete with you?
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast
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