This book is a biography of Charles Bianconi (1786 - 1875) of horse car fame. The book deals with his life from his upbringing in Italy, to his death in Ireland. Hailing from a privelleged Italian family, Rags to Riches would not necessarily be the most appropriate description of his life story, however, it is true to state that this would describe his time from arrival in Ireland to his passing away.
The book deals with the establishment of the horse car business, painting Bianconi out to be the Michael O'Leary of the 19th Century. As a result of shrewd business acumen, he managed to overcome the twin difficulties of being a foreigner and a Roman Catholic in 19th Century Ireland. As a Roman Catholic, Bianconi was a sympathetic landlord and friend of Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator.
The onset of railways, whilst depriving Bianconi of business in certain routes, enabled him to setup new routes as feeders to the new method of transport and in this regard, his business continued to prosper. Having no male heir, he eventually sold out in his old age, primarily to long serving staff.