Introduction
Published by McGill-Queen’s University Press, To Make A Killing is the first in-depth biography of Arthur Cutten. Arriving in Chicago in 1890 with ninety dollars in his pocket, Cutten slowly amassed a fortune. With utter ruthlessness, he conducted corners and bear raids, buying and selling more wheat and corn than anyone before. On Wall Street, he manipulated prices, engaged in wash trading, and promoted shares to a gullible public.
He piled up profits equivalent to $1.5 billion today. Heralded as the modern Midas, his every move was followed by the masses who believed they too could get rich quick. But when the Crash came, when the good times turned bad, this hero of prosperity became the villain of the Great Depression.
To Make A Killing tells the tale of Cutten’s journey to fabulous wealth, the forces that propelled him, and the fascinating characters in his life.
Headlines
A detailed, interesting account of those wild times and how a young man from Guelph came be known as a market king in the unfettered world of U.S. finance.
Winnipeg Free Press
Arthur Cutten has until now rested in obscurity … To Make a Killing is a revealing biography.
Wall Street Journal
To Make a Killing details Cutten’s path to immense wealth and notoriety, starting with his early days working the Chicago Board of Trade’s famous “wheat pit” and ending with all the makings of a true-crime drama: murder, mobsters and (maybe) hidden treasure.
MoneySense
A fresh and engaging adventure.
Joe Martin, co-author of From Wall Street to Bay Street
As a lad from Guelph, Cutten’s home town, I thought I knew something about him. But my knowledge was meagre compared to what is now revealed in the new book To Make A Killing. It is a fast-paced story, rich in detail, and a recommended read!
Rod McQueen, author of a number of award-winning books including The Eatons and Who Killed Confederation Life?
The secrets of Arthur Cutten are explored in the podcast Inside the Ice House, produced by Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (owner of the NYSE). The podcast discusses the enigmatic speculator who pulled the levers of the financial markets a century ago. Don’t miss it. Click here.
Rap Sheet
Robert Stephens began his career as an investment advisor and securities analyst before entering journalism.
For over a decade, he was a business and investigative reporter with the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and Ottawa Journal.
He was appointed Communications Advisor to an Ontario Cabinet Minister, and later was named Communications Director for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Technology.
He is currently president of PR POST, a public relations agency based in Toronto.
Robert studied at Tulane University in New Orleans and graduated with an Honours B.A. in English Literature.