Theodore Dreiser The Titan

Set in the late 1800s, this book is basically about a multi-millionarie who wants to monopolize Chicago thru underhanded scheming. Corruption mayhem ensues! (An interesting factoid: Did you know that Springfield and not Chicago was the capital?) Anyway, all the newspapers turn against this dude, Cowperwood (Have ever heard of such a name before?) are against him cuz not only is he a crookekd politican but he fools around w/ those men's daughters and wives (Can you believe it women weren't even allowed to vote or run for office?) Anyway, Cowperwood and his cronies bribe the politcos like this: if you pass this bill/ ordinance or whatever, you get paid 'under the table.' Somehow the newspapers get wind of this lil info and bang! they're all against him!
As for his private life, he was married while in jail. But another girl, Aileen, visits him often and that's what starts the romance. And then he ends up divorcing the 1st Mrs. Cowperwood in favor of Aileen. But along the way, he finds Aileen not up to his standards, so he decides to play the field, but it stirs the ire of the husbands, fathers, et al, who turns the newspapers against him. (They try to be honest, but is there such a thing as a honest politician? I think not! I think that's an oxymoron.) Still, he forms his own alliances although he is underhanded at it, scheming his way to the top. (You don't get to the top by being nice to people!) Most of his schemes involves bribery-he is rich; he can afford to give away his fortune in order to pass one or another bill or ordinance.
I won't get into detail because the politics way back when were way too complicated (and I don't want to give away the story), but let's just say he is defeated but he did finally find true love in a young woman by the name of Berenice Fleming, whose mother Mrs Carter owned a bachelor quarters in Louisville but Cowperwood made her moved to NY and they lived off his money. He first fell in love with her when he first saw her pix at her mother's in Louisville. When her beaux found out where she came from, they went screaming for the hills! (figuratively). They didn't want anything to do with her. After Cowperwood's public defeat, he looks like a better match for her. At first, she wants to make her own way in the world, understandably. (Women during this period didn't have much standing, not much position except in society.) Cowperwood helps Berenice in society, but after his public disgrace, he looks better and better since he alienate Aileen with his confession of love long gone. Aileen even attempts suicide after this confession. After his fall from grace, Cowperwood and Berenice spend his last years of his life in harmony. I don't know what happen to his enemies or Aileen but as they say: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Sorry for the repetitive in some spots, but I need to get my point across.