"Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt rose to become the richest and most powerful man in the USA at the beginning of the 19th century. With his ideas and actions, he significantly influenced the development of the American economy. Prof. Dr. Udo Hielscher not only narrates the fascinating life of a great financial genius but also provides the reader with tangible economic history for their reading journey. Unprecedented insights into the economic history of the USA, a portrait of an extraordinary businessman, the phenomenon of Cornelius Vanderbilt, along with numerous illustrations and history and economics that can be grasped.