Summary

Mayer’s next chapter is dedicated to the economic empire of John M. Olin, which, like the Koch and Scaife fortunes, was wielded to further the conservative political movement. Unlike previous conservative powerhouses, however, Olin relied not only on think tanks, but also on academia. John M. Olin and his colleagues devoted millions of dollars in donations to conservative programs across America’s colleges, mainly stressing the importance of a free-market economy without government regulation.

Before delving into Olin’s efforts in the political realm, Mayer offers a brief history of the Olin Corporation and the many lawsuits it has faced over the years. Despite considering himself a conservationist and animal lover, Olin’s company was one of the Environmental Protection Agency’s first targets upon its inception in 1973. The company was accused of releasing absurd amounts...