Empire by Mitchell Pacelle
The world's most famous skyscraper, the Empire State Building is an icon as immediately recognizable as the Eiffel Tower, the Great Pyramids, or the Taj Mahal; and for some of the world's most powerful men, it is the ultimate prize. From the day it was erected, it has been the object of obsession for the heads of empires, conjuring their most hidden vices. In a riveting chronicle of betrayal, revenge, family rivalry, and raw greed, award-winning journalist Mitchell Pacelle tells the compelling tale of the history of the Empire State Building and the battle for ownership which reveals the inner workings of a world of powerful, self-made men. Pacelle brings to life the colorful cast of characters involved-a dramatis personae including the most powerful players in the international real estate markets both old and new, including John Raskob and Pierre du Pont alongside Donald Trump, the Helmsleys, Peter Malkin, and the eccentric Japanese billionaire Hideki Yokoi. Before the tale is over, Yokoi will accuse his beloved illegitimate daughter of stealing the building from him, several participants will land in jail, one will die suddenly, and a tense legal standoff will leave the landmark in limbo. One of the most fascinating characters to emerge from this richly layered story is the building itself, with its legendary romances and suicides, its odd tenants, and the countless human triumphs and tragedies that have been played out within its towering walls.
"This highly entertaining, well-researched volume..is a cross between great business writing and even greater gossip..." (Publishers Weekly, July 23, 2001) "vividly told and often gripping...Pacelle clearly delivers the goods." (Library Journal, September 1, 2001) "Mitchell Pacelle delivers a thrilling history of the mythic building." (Bookpage, November 2001) "Pacelle...keeps the pace up in this convoluted tale of pride, prejudice and property." (The Providence Journal, November 4, 2001) "Who'd have thought that real estate dealings could read like a gossipy novel of intrigue?...the author assembles a memorable cast of characters..." (Entertainment Weekly, November 16, 2001) "Empire is a finely wrought narrative that embodies the style--and hysteria--of New York real estate." (BusinessWeek, November 19, 2001) "It's a compelling read...Empire is memorable and has all the pieces of a riveting film: sex, divorce, money scams, even some jailbirds." (USA TODAY, MONEY BOOKSHELF, Monday, November 26, 2001) "...there's such huge entertainment to be had." (New York Daily News, Sunday, November 25, 2001) "a recounting of the story of the Empire State Bulding, which has now reclaimed its status as New York City's highest peak. A-" (Entertainment Weekly, December 1, 2001) "...one of the best newcomers...[a] page-turner" TimeOut New York, November 29-December 6, 2001) "...it is a book - and a very good one..." (The Guardian Weekly, 29 November 2001) "At first glance, Empire looks as if it may be one of those books that only a New Yorker could love...But Mitchell Pacelle...is canny enough to combine a wealth of local details with a broader narrative flow." (Financial Times, December 19, 2001) "...This story is full of colour and rattles along at the pace of a thriller...Empire is a fascinating insight into an American icon". (Sunday Business, 9 December 2001) "...It says much for Pacelle's forensic and narrative skills that he manages to tell this labyrinthine, fascinating tale with admirable clarity and fairness..." (Financial Times, 18 December 2001)
MITCHELL PACELLE is an award-winning journalist who has covered business for The Wall Street Journal over the past eleven years. He has won the New York Press Club's 1999 Business Reporting award, was a finalist for UCLA's Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism, and was part of the team nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the collapse of the Long-Term Capital Management hedge fund.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780471403944 |
| ISBN 10 | 0471403946 |
| Title | Empire |
| Author | Mitchell Pacelle |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | John Wiley and Sons Ltd |
| Year published | 2001-10-16 |
| Number of pages | 352 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |