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The Marshall Fields
"At a time when the average American earned $500 a year, Marshall Field enjoyed a tidy annual income of $40 million. Unlike his robber-baron contemporaries, however, Field was the enlightened prince of the Gilded Age. Always looking toward the future, he built his department store empire on a solid foundation of quality, customer service, and a hard-earned reputation for honesty and good character. His attempts to secure the future of his family and his fortune were less successful." The Marshall Fields follows this terse and industrious young farm boy's career as he learns how to make millions by knowing what women want. It reveals the tactics and innovations that enabled Field to keep his business growing while many around him succumbed to the ravages of the Chicago fire, bank panics, and constant, fierce competition. But Field's phenomenal success came at a high price.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published August 16, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 5, 2010
This book is a fascinating journey into the life and legacy of one of America's most successful and wealthy businessmen - Marshall Fields. From the birth of Marshall Fields I in 1834 to the two living Fields heirs at the time of writing in 2002, the author chronicles not only the personal happenings of the Fields family, but artfully interweaves what was going on across the country and even around the world at the time. To condense 168 years of history into 367 pages is, of course, an impossible task, but I appreciated the overall scope of the times that I gained by reading this biography. To read a multi-generational account that doubles as an exposition of world happenings is truly a rich and memorable way to study the concurrent years of history!
The writing itself was not particularly impressive, with sometimes sloppy sentence construction and, more noticeably, a feeling of flatness to the characters. Some of this is due to the lack of information that has been preserved from earlier generations and some, it seems, could be the fault of the individuals themselves. Though lacking nothing in terms of material wealth and pleasures, emptiness pervaded the life of each generation. This gave rise to multiple marriages, substance abuse, illegitimate children, and general feelings of listlessness. Ultimately, there was very little purpose or vision beyond the money itself. Perhaps spurred on in part by the tax benefits, most of the Fields involved themselves to some extent in philanthropic endeavors, and Marshall Fields III poured millions of dollars into politically-motivated causes and efforts in the early to mid-1900's. In fact, this was a key motivation behind his foray into newspaper publishing, including the eventual founding of the Chicago Sun (later the Sun-Times).
Marshall Fields I passed down an inheritance of millions (billions in today’s money) and a position of influence in numerous corporations and organizations, but with it came a legacy of marital dissatisfaction and absentee fatherhood. Toward the end of the book, the couple brief quotes by the contemporary inheritors of these bequests hint of bitterness and affirm the biblical truth that there is no profit to a man who “gains the whole world and forfeits his soul” (Matthew 16:26).
The writing itself was not particularly impressive, with sometimes sloppy sentence construction and, more noticeably, a feeling of flatness to the characters. Some of this is due to the lack of information that has been preserved from earlier generations and some, it seems, could be the fault of the individuals themselves. Though lacking nothing in terms of material wealth and pleasures, emptiness pervaded the life of each generation. This gave rise to multiple marriages, substance abuse, illegitimate children, and general feelings of listlessness. Ultimately, there was very little purpose or vision beyond the money itself. Perhaps spurred on in part by the tax benefits, most of the Fields involved themselves to some extent in philanthropic endeavors, and Marshall Fields III poured millions of dollars into politically-motivated causes and efforts in the early to mid-1900's. In fact, this was a key motivation behind his foray into newspaper publishing, including the eventual founding of the Chicago Sun (later the Sun-Times).
Marshall Fields I passed down an inheritance of millions (billions in today’s money) and a position of influence in numerous corporations and organizations, but with it came a legacy of marital dissatisfaction and absentee fatherhood. Toward the end of the book, the couple brief quotes by the contemporary inheritors of these bequests hint of bitterness and affirm the biblical truth that there is no profit to a man who “gains the whole world and forfeits his soul” (Matthew 16:26).
October 26, 2014
If you want to know the truth, this is it. So far, there are 7 Marshall Fields. The first one didn't make it from nothing - he had a friendly deal with Palmer (as in Palmer House) to take over the P. Potter store. This isn't new - many people have developed someone else's idea. It is a legend, a dynasty and a training ground (Montgomery Ward, and more, worked there). There is still a Field family north of Chicago and in NYC, and in CA (Ted Field making movies). I loved this, and now want to see the homes on Prairie Ave. I miss Fields.
August 29, 2023
The book came out in 2002, not too long before the Marshall Fields name would disappear from stores to be replaced by Macy's. But the family, for various reasons, already had disassociated themselves from the store chain, and would leave the newspaper business as well, but they stayed in the entertainment industry. The surprising thing, as the author points out, is that the family fortune has lasted so many generations compared to other very wealthy families.
The original Marshall Field was a farm boy who wanted to do far more, and eventually went into dry goods retailing and wholesaling. He was a workaholic who evidently made his wife unhappy, as they separated, but he still was clever enough to write his will properly, making sure he would not end up with irresponsible idle sons, which they would not be. Some family members had mental or other problems, but most of them stayed working, one grandson being a political liberal who wanted to get into the newspaper industry and did.
The cover of the book makes the story sound more gossipy than it turned out to be, which was why I originally hesitated to pick it up. But the book is worth reading. If nothing else, Marshall Field would prove to be a better man and far better to his employees than Andrew Carnegie or George Pullman were.
The original Marshall Field was a farm boy who wanted to do far more, and eventually went into dry goods retailing and wholesaling. He was a workaholic who evidently made his wife unhappy, as they separated, but he still was clever enough to write his will properly, making sure he would not end up with irresponsible idle sons, which they would not be. Some family members had mental or other problems, but most of them stayed working, one grandson being a political liberal who wanted to get into the newspaper industry and did.
The cover of the book makes the story sound more gossipy than it turned out to be, which was why I originally hesitated to pick it up. But the book is worth reading. If nothing else, Marshall Field would prove to be a better man and far better to his employees than Andrew Carnegie or George Pullman were.
October 14, 2019
Great background on the family behind the famous Chicago department store and much, much more.
October 9, 2025
Unfortunate Marshall Field I. Made so much money, but very unhappy private life.
September 27, 2016
I discovered this gem, on a trip back to Chicago in a used book store. Even though the book was written in 2002, the book packs a punch with the history Marshall Fields and his family carrying on the wealth that he built. When Marshall Fields travels to Chicago, you are introduced to a town that is like the wild west but a center of transportation for america.
Axel Madison, the author does an incredible job introducing you to Marshall Fields. The author has to dissect information about Feilds from many different sources. Marshall Fields, not one to grant interviews makes it event harder for the author, but the author wins with an incredible story.
Being born and raised in Chicago, I now understand more Chicago history. So many landmarks in the book are talked about. I felt closer to Chicago, since I have been gone.
Axel Madison, the author does an incredible job introducing you to Marshall Fields. The author has to dissect information about Feilds from many different sources. Marshall Fields, not one to grant interviews makes it event harder for the author, but the author wins with an incredible story.
Being born and raised in Chicago, I now understand more Chicago history. So many landmarks in the book are talked about. I felt closer to Chicago, since I have been gone.
April 6, 2009
This books was well written if not a little confusing (though with all the marriages/divorces/children/step-children/half-children created by this family it's not surprising).
I had no idea of the wealth the family incurred. Not to mention the many businesses they've been involved with. It's also interesting that they seemed to have a "curse" following them; suicides, mysterious deaths and family estrangements.
Very interesting!
I had no idea of the wealth the family incurred. Not to mention the many businesses they've been involved with. It's also interesting that they seemed to have a "curse" following them; suicides, mysterious deaths and family estrangements.
Very interesting!
September 24, 2008
In depth history of Chicago and the power families that made the city what it is. Features the Marshall Field family through the fifth generation.
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July 20, 2015can't find
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews