The Tycoons.I was disappointed with John T. McGreevy's review of Charles Morris's The Tycoons ("Capital Gains," October 21), a book that clearly favors the "captains of industry" interpretation of late-nineteenth-century industrialists over the so-called "robber baron robber baron n. 1. One of the American industrial or financial magnates of the late 19th century who became wealthy by unethical means, such as questionable stock-market operations and exploitation of labor. 2. " position. Such a partisan Partisan may refer to: Political matters In politics, partisan literally means organized into political parties. The expression "Partisan politics" usually refers to fervent, sometimes militant support of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea. view does no justice to the debate on the period, and I think a reviewer re·view·er n. One who reviews, especially one who writes critical reviews, as for a newspaper or magazine. reviewer Noun a person who writes reviews of books, films, etc. Noun 1. should note as much. In particular, Morris's dismissal of Ida Tarbell's ground-breaking investigation of the Standard Oil Company was a cursory cur·so·ry adj. Performed with haste and scant attention to detail: a cursory glance at the headlines. [Late Latin curs judgment and seemed poorly researched. McGreevy concludes his review, "But I closed the book convinced that today's tycoons deserve much closer scrutiny." I agree. Of course, if Morris's study of last century's tycoons had been a balanced one, and a more perceptive per·cep·tive adj. 1. Of or relating to perception. 2. Having the ability to perceive. 3. Keenly discerning. per review of the book had noticed its failings, we'd have better clues to track the schemes and tactics of these more recent operators. WILLIAM J. DUNCAN Woodbourne, N.Y. |
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