In fact so many of the great successes in business back in Astor’s day were caught up in shadiness. This includes virtually, every single last political organization across the developing nation. I could add that it’s not so different today still.

My point that to deny that Astor had uncanny skills in sales and in general business practices just isn’t fair. Not to say there are no truly honest entrepreneurs, because of course there are. My father in law was one.

The fact that Astor dealed in the darker side of things doesn’t óbviate his obvious amazing skill set. He was one hell of an operator and as a younger man I would’ve loved to have some of his savvy.