Who This Author Is

John Steele Gordon writes narrative histories of American finance, tracing the people and institutions that shaped the nation’s economy. In An Empire of Wealth he surveys the rise of U.S. economic power; in The Great Game he focuses on Wall Street’s institutions, personalities, and pivotal moments that forged modern markets.

His work blends clear storytelling with attention to finance’s social and political effects, explaining complex developments without technical jargon. Gordon emphasizes continuity and turning points—how policy, ambition, and crisis combined to produce long-term growth and recurring market dramas across American history.

Best Place To Start

An Empire of Wealth

Harpercollins • 2005 • longer commitment

It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Economic history of the United States • Clear narrative histories of finance and business • Accessible accounts of Wall Street and national wealth

Genres and themes: Economic history • Financial history • Business and finance

Who this author is best for: Good for readers who want concise, well-researched narratives about America's financial development and Wall Street's evolution.

Start with An Empire of Wealth for a sweeping national economic narrative or The Great Game for a focused history of Wall Street.

Top Books To Start With

  1. An Empire of Wealth

    Harpercollins • 2005 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2005 • 460 pages.

  2. An Empire of Wealth: The Epic History of American Economic Power

    Harpercollins • 2004 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2004 • 460 pages.

  3. The Great Game; a History of Wall Street

    Orion • 1999 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: year signal: 1999.

  4. A Thread Across the Ocean: The Heroic Story of the Transatlantic Cable

    Harpercollins • 2003 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2003 • 272 pages.

  5. The Great Game: The Emergence of Wall Street as a World Power: 1653-2000

    Simon & Schuster • 2000 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2000 • 320 pages.

  6. Hamilton's Blessing : The Extraordinary Life and Times of Our National Debt

    Penguin Group USA • 1998 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1998 • 240 pages.

  7. Hamilton's blessing

    Walker & Co. • 2010 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: year signal: 2010.

  8. Empire of Wealth

    HarperCollins Publishers • 2008 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: year signal: 2008.

  9. A Thread Across the Ocean

    Books on Tape • 2003 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: year signal: 2003.

How The Picks Compare