In their four-part miniseries, The Empire Builder: James J. Hill and the Great Northern Railway (2026), Kyle Kegley and Stephen Sadis have rendered a holistic portrait of one of the key figures of the Gilded Age that will delight students, historians, and railway enthusiasts. It would be easy to portray James J. Hill as a ruthless businessman, especially given the bad reputation that capitalists gained in the early 20th century. Which isn’t to say Hill wasn’t a shrewd businessman. From Hill’s origins as a freight shipper in Minnesota to his conflicts with Teddy Roosevelt and E. H. Harriman, the documentary makes it clear that Hill’s business acumen was not to be underestimated. In fact, students of the stock market will be thrilled to learn that Hill was embroiled in one of the first major stock market scandals, though as the documentary makes clear, the fault lay with Harriman and not Hill. Many such anecdotes populate this mini-series, all supported by personal letters, newspapers, and business documentation. Hill funded agricultural research, and there was even a species of apple named after him. By all accounts, his family and his workers loved him. And, somewhat surprisingly, Hill actually preferred cooperation over competition. This is most evident in the friendship he made with J.P. Morgan, competitor-cum-business partner. While the Gilded Age will be remembered for its excesses and inequalities, this mini-series counters such sentiments, reminding the viewer that not all titans of capital were entirely self-interested. Some, like James J. Hill, worked for the betterment of society rather than the lining of their pockets.
Beyond Hill's personal story, the documentary offers a broader look at the forces that reshaped the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His career intersected with westward expansion, the growth of the national economy, the Progressive Era, and the evolving relationship between government and big business. In doing so, the series demonstrates how one influential businessman helped shape transportation, commerce, and public policy, making it a worthwhile addition to collections focused on American history, business, or transportation. Recommended.
Why should educators and libraries recommend this documentary?
The Gilded Age is perhaps one of the most exciting times in American history: the railroads connected the country for the first time, expanding the West and creating a nationwide economic boom that employed citizens and immigrants alike. The railway is a powerful symbol of this westward expansion, and perhaps no one best represents the pioneering spirit of this westward expansion than James J. Hill. This documentary would be an excellent addition to a museum or special collection about railways and the Gilded Age.
Why should university courses in history or business include this documentary?
History courses will benefit greatly from this documentary, especially history courses focused in American history. Many assumptions exist about the capitalists of the Gilded Age, and this documentary undermines those assumptions. Moreover, the documentary artfully portrays the life of one individual and how it intersects with, affected, and changed some of the major moments in American History. Hill’s life and work spans from the end of the Gilded Age into the Progressive Era of the early 20th century, when Roosevelt started busting monopolies and before the Stock market crashed. In addition to history courses, this documentary should be viewed in business courses, especially for those courses who wish to instill some sort of civic virtue into businessman. James J. Hill possessed such a sense of civic virtue.
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