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The Fabulous History of the Dismal Swamp Company

A Story of George Washington's Times

A Story of George Washington's Times

By Charles Royster

By Charles Royster

By Charles Royster

By Charles Royster

Best Seller
Paperback $16.00

Dec 05, 2000 | ISBN 9780679753056

Ebook $9.99

Dec 08, 2010 | ISBN 9780307773296

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    The Fabulous History of the Dismal Swamp Company by Charles Royster
    Paperback $16.00
    Dec 05, 2000 | ISBN 9780679753056

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      Dec 05, 2000 | ISBN 9780679753056

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      Dec 08, 2010 | ISBN 9780307773296

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    About The Fabulous History of the Dismal Swamp Company

    From historian Charles Royster–winner of the Francis Parkman, Bancroft, and Lincoln prizes–comes the history of one of eighteenth-century America’s most fantastic land speculation deals: William Byrd’s scheme to develop 900 square miles of swamp on the Virginia-North Carolina border and create fabulous wealth for himself and other shareholders, including George Washington.

    Royster scrupulously follows the paper trail through the byways of transatlantic deal-cutting, providing a rare view of early American economic culture.  Elegantly written and impressively researched, The Fabulous History of the Dismal Swamp Company is an eye-opening account of greed, folly, and venture capitalism in the revolutionary era.

    About The Fabulous History of the Dismal Swamp Company

    From historian Charles Royster–winner of the Francis Parkman, Bancroft, and Lincoln prizes–comes the history of one of eighteenth-century America’s most fantastic land speculation deals: William Byrd’s scheme to develop 900 square miles of swamp on the Virginia-North Carolina border and create fabulous wealth for himself and other shareholders, including George Washington.

    Royster scrupulously follows the paper trail through the byways of transatlantic deal-cutting, providing a rare view of early American economic culture.  Elegantly written and impressively researched, The Fabulous History of the Dismal Swamp Company is an eye-opening account of greed, folly, and venture capitalism in the revolutionary era.

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Also by Charles Royster

    Light-Horse Harry Lee
    The Destructive War
    See all books by Charles Royster

    Also by Charles Royster

    Light-Horse Harry Lee
    The Destructive War
    See all books by Charles Royster

    About Charles Royster

    Charles Royster is a historian, a teacher, and an author. He served as the Boyd Professor of History at Louisiana State University and is the recipient of the Bancoft, Parkman, and Lincoln Prizes. His works include Light-Horse Harry Lee, The Destructive… More about Charles Royster

    About Charles Royster

    Charles Royster is a historian, a teacher, and an author. He served as the Boyd Professor of History at Louisiana State University and is the recipient of the Bancoft, Parkman, and Lincoln Prizes. His works include Light-Horse Harry Lee, The Destructive… More about Charles Royster

    Product Details

    Category: Business | Colonial/Revolutionary Period

    Paperback | $16.00
    Published by Vintage
    Dec 05, 2000 | 640 Pages | 5-3/16 x 8 | ISBN 9780679753056

    Category: Business | Colonial/Revolutionary Period

    Ebook | $9.99
    Published by Vintage
    Dec 08, 2010 | 640 Pages | ISBN 9780307773296

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    Praise

    "Here is a narrative history of scope and of abundance, a fascinating story." —The Washington Times

    "Vivid. . . . plunges readers into the rough world of colonial capitalism–a world swarming with adventurers, aristocrats, fools, rogues and visionaries all wearing masks of gentility." —The News & Observer (Raleigh)

    "A veritable encyclopedia of early American get-rich-quick schemes." —Men’s Journal

    "[Royster] is a seasoned stylist, and tells this colorful story in rich detail." —The Washington Post

    "Imagine Barbarians at the Gate with lace cuffs." –Wilton Barnhardt

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