Monopolies and the People

In the turbulent years following the Civil War, a wave of corporate conglomerates began to shape the nation's economy and politics. This work offers a clear‑eyed look at how powerful railroad interests and other business combinations amassed influence over government decisions. The author, writing from the heart of the Midwest, seeks to lay out the facts without partisan spin, inviting listeners to understand the forces at play.

Drawing on congressional records, legal statutes, and recent court battles, the book details the ways these monopolies secured land grants, subsidies, and protective tariffs that burdened ordinary citizens. It especially highlights the plight of farmers, who found half of their harvest consumed by freight fees, taxes, and duties imposed by the very systems meant to serve them. By exposing these practices, the author urges a reconsideration of how public policy can protect the rights and livelihoods of the people.