Includes bibliographical references (pages 311-319) and index.

On December 14, 1739, a second son was born to a Parisian watchmaker, named Samuel Dupont, and his wife. He was called Pierre Samuel, and he was to found one of the most famous dynasties in the world. Pierre Samuel came to the United States on New Year's Day, 1800, penniless, after surviving a harrowing voyage with his two sons. From those rather humble beginnings grew one of history's greatest manufacturing empires. Marc Duke has told the story of the du Pont dynasty through the eyes of the du Ponts themselves, and in doing so has written a brilliant and dramatic social history of both the company and the people who built it. Controversial, cantankerous, and very often holier-than-thou, the du Ponts were larger than life on the American landscape. -- From publisher's description.

SACFinal081324