April 9, 2012. Harper, Texas. Jesse Jones.

The title of the book is  "Unprecedented Power: Jesse Jones, Capitalism and the Common Man", by Steven Fenburg.  It is a fascinating book about a man that has been forgotten.  Until I read the book "The Common Man", I didn't know his name  but he was mentioned many times in that book.  In fact, President Franklin Roosevelt called him Jesus Jones.

Jesse Jones was a Texan who built most of Houston in the early 20th century.  And he built many tall buildings in New York and Chicago.   He must have had a huge amount of energy but he always wore many hats.  I love to read success stories, and this is the real thing.  The depression made him famous as he worked for the federal government during that time, in charge of the RFC, which doled out loans to banks and companies and other countries.   He was a man of enormous talents although he quit school at the 8th grade.  

David and Suzanne attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, just north of Austin.  One of the large buildings is called Jones Hall, because in 1920, Jesse Jones donated  $100,000. to the University.  He had a big heart whether or not you approved of the RFC.    And it is a worthwhile book that I am enjoying.