Betsy Prioleau’s biography of Gilded Age female tycoon Miriam Leslie is “an appropriately twisty tale of someone trying to outrun her origins. . .

. Her story sparkles, as intoxicating as a champagne fountain that somebody else is paying for” ( New York Times Book Review ). Among the fabled tycoons of the Gilded Age—Carnegie, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt—is a forgotten figure: Mrs.

Frank Leslie. For 20 years she ran the country’s largest publishing company, Frank Leslie Publishing, which chronicled postbellum America in dozens of weeklies and monthlies. A pioneer in an all-male industry, she made a fortune and became a national celebrity and tastemaker in the process.

But Miriam Leslie was also a byword for scandal: she flouted feminine convention, took lovers, married four times, and harbored unsavory secrets that she concealed through a skein of lies and multiple personas. Both during and after her lifetime, glimpses of the truth emerged, including an illegitimate birth and a checkered youth. Diamonds and Deadlines reveals the previously unknown, sensational life of the brilliant and brazen “empress of journalism,” who dropped a bombshell at her death: she left her entire multimillion-dollar estate to women’s suffrage—a never-equaled amount that guaranteed passage of the Nineteenth Amendment.

In this dazzling biography, cultural historian Betsy Prioleau draws from diaries, genealogies, and published works to provide an intimate look at the life of one of the Gilded Age’s most complex, powerful women and unexpected feminist icons. Ultimately, Diamonds and Deadlines restores Mrs. Frank Leslie to her rightful place in history as a monumental businesswoman who presaged the feminist future and reflected, in bold relief, the Gilded Age, one of the most momentous, seismic, and vivid epochs in American history.

Includes Black-and-White Images

In the heart of New York City's Gilded Age, a world swirling with opulence, ambition, and treachery, arises a tale that delves into the complexities of power, aspirations, and societal transformation. The glittering façade of wealth masks the intricacies beneath, where fortunes are built and dreams are shattered. This is the realm of "Diamonds and Deadlines," where a formidable female tycoon thrives amidst an era defined by excess and cutthroat competition.

In a landscape dominated by men's ambitions, she forges her own path, weaving a tale of greed, deceit, and relentless drive to circumvent every obstacle thrown her way. As the city shimmers with innovation and prestige, so too does the story within, capturing the vivid essence of a bygone age.

A compelling narrative portraying a female trailblazer rising to power amidst New York City's opulent Gilded Age. Exploration of themes like ambition greed and societal transformation wrapped in a narrative rich with historical detail. A captivating insight into the human condition set against the backdrop of a lavish yet ruthless era.

Diamonds and Deadlines" intertwines the allure of New York City\'s Gilded Age with the gripping tale of a woman who defies societal norms. Against a backdrop where fortunes and reputations hang by the thinnest threads the story captures her indomitable spirit. As skyscrapers climb the skyline so does her ambition unraveling a complex web of deceit and alliances in a male-dominated business world.

The novel paints vivid portraits of daily life and the relentless quest for power wealth and respect. The journey through extravagant ballrooms cutthroat boardrooms and shadowy deals explores humanity's deepest desires and darkest tendencies. With every turn of the page the reader is enveloped in the shimmering yet treacherous realm highlighting both the era's glamour and grit.

As history unfolds the narrative reveals how the protagonist's influence reshapes a city and its elite challenging outdated societal expectations. This riveting tale leaves a mark resonating with themes of empowerment and unexpected consequence in these formative years.

What makes "Diamonds and Deadlines" truly captivating is its rich tapestry of historical detail that immerses readers into New York City\'s golden era making the setting as compelling as its characters The formidable female protagonist stands out not only for her ambitions but for her nuanced authentic portrayal that challenges and defies traditional gender roles within a sharply depicted society The narrative's ability to seamlessly blend a suspenseful plot with profound thematic exploration ensures that it is not only entertaining but thought-provoking appealing to both history enthusiasts and fiction lovers alike.