The Financier

Brief Overview

«The Financier» is the first novel in a trilogy by American author Theodore Dreiser, dedicated to the life and career of Frank Cowperwood, an ambitious financier from Philadelphia. The novel is based on the real-life story of Charles Yerkes, a streetcar magnate. It intricately details Cowperwood's rise from an ordinary clerk to an influential financier and banker. His ambitions, romantic entanglements, and willingness to use any means to achieve personal goals in the ruthless and cynical world of finance introduce readers to themes of morality, greed, and the pursuit of power. The novel immerses the reader in the atmosphere of late 19th to early 20th century America, showcasing the complexities and nuances of financial operations of the time and revealing the intricate character of the protagonist.