The Plunger: A Tale of the Wheat Pit

By Edward Jerome Dies

"The Plunger: A Tale of the Wheat Pit" provides a gripping account of the high-stakes world of grain speculation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Centered on the career of Benjamin P. Hutchinson, the legendary trader known as "Old Hutch," the narrative explores the volatile environment of the Chicago Board of Trade. It details the dramatic attempt to corner the wheat market in 1888, illustrating the immense power and sudden ruin that characterized the era's financial titans.

Through the lens of Hutchinson's rise and fall, the work provides a vivid portrayal of the "pit"-a place where fortunes were made and lost in a single day. The book serves as both a biography and a historical study of the evolution of the American commodity markets, capturing the psychological intensity of speculation and the early regulatory struggles of the trading floors. Readers interested in business history, economic shifts, and the origins of modern financial markets will find this a fascinating exploration of a pivotal era in American commerce. By documenting the life of one of the most daring figures in financial history, the work sheds light on the mechanisms of market manipulation and the enduring nature of human ambition.

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025908163
• ISBN13: 9781025908168
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 274 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.2"