[.ca] The Day They Shook the Plum Tree (ISBN 0899666000)

Hetty Green and the Financial Dilemma:
This book profiles the life of Hetty Green, who in the year 1900 was worth $100,000,000. Rumours abound about her idiosyncracies, the most prevalent of which is frugality. Say what you will about Hetty, she was a market genius. She spotted an opportunity before anyone noticed anything was missing. She had foresight, an iron will, and incredible fortitude. Much of this can be attributed to her father and grandfather, who themselves had amassed wealth and shared their secrets with Hetty from the time she was a young girl. Hetty's children, on the other hand, are an odd lott, from Ned Green, who hung a whale's penis on his wall for the sheer amusement factor in that most people did not know what it was, to her daughter Sylvia who was more of a recluse. When Sylvia died, she donated tens of thousands of dollars to those whom she remembered were kind to her. I read it for geneological research, as Hetty and I may be related. However, if a story of building and maintaining wealth through innovation and cunning interests you, you will enjoy this book. I understand, however, that some of the facts may have been embellished. There are other sources of info about Hetty available if you want facts. Enjoy!

About an almost forgotten New Eng fortune.:
Overall the book was an easy read. It was entertaining, albeit a little difficult to follow in some places. It would have helped me if I'd known a little more of the history and lore behind the story, but the book stands alone as a guide to the little known behind the scenes facts.