This book gives more background of history, people, and America in the mid-1880's to early 1900's than any biography or autobiography I've ever read. Hetty Green is a difficult woman, selfish in many ways, extremely smart, and grew up completely devoid of love, but a delight to read about, especially for a woman at that time. It fills in descriptions of what people are seeing and doing in a way that you almost feel transported to the time and place being written about. The author is to be deeply appreciated for her tremendous research, and gift for bringing it all together in a book I couldn't put down.I liked this book and admire Hetty Green and her ability to rise above the societal dictates of her time and be very successful. It's a good story about a determined woman who loved her family and wanted to provide for them, and enjoyed doing so. I just wish there was a little more meat on the bone about Hetty and her personal life and that of her family. Since she was a woman and kept herself behind the scenes, it was probably difficult for the author to find out any more information than she did. However, the author did a good job introducing us to Hetty and she makes me wish I could have met Hetty Green in person. She would have been my kind of gal.Most women have no idea of who Hetty Green was nor how she affected our lives. I think it should be mandatory reading for females; we need to learn and heed her lessons.Although history continues to repeat itself, perhaps if following some of the suggestions made by Hetty Green we could lessen the impact.Great book!I thought this was a fantastic read with many tenets that are applicable to women of means today.Having spent over 50 years in the financial business this was an delightful experience. Stories I had heard about Heddy were debunked and replaced with thoroughly researched information.Great overview of Hetty Green, and an amazing look into the Gilded Age. Highly recommended to anyone interested in that era.There is a lot history in this book that you will not find anywhere else under one cover. Very enlighting. Always a good readAs with the 'Witch of Wall Street' and 'Hetty' I absolutely enjoyed this look at the Life of Hetty Green. She was a fascinating woman and I have had a great time finding out about her. I also recommend 'The Howland Heirs: being the story of a family and a fortune and the inheritance of a trust established for Mrs Hetty H. R. Green' if you would like to just follow the money from beginning to end.I bought this as a gift for my Dad who loved it and I then read it and I have to say it's one of the most interesting books I have ever read. Great tips on finance blended as a novel..Different than "The Day They Shook the Plumb Tree".This book paints Hetty Green in a slightly different light - still tough, especially on people who financially screw or try to screw her, but she also has a generous side and is good to people who are good to her.Perseverance in America will always triumph. Naysayers are the losers. Focus, and you will succeed, (in America).Bin selber Bankkaufmann und war fasziniert von Hetty Greens Geschichte. Sehr empfehlenswert.Ihr Leben war spannend zu lesen wie sie mit einem riesigen Vermögen clever investiert hat,Strategien die heute noch Gültigkeit haben.