Brewster's Millions

First published in 1902, this novel by best-selling author tells the story of New Yorker Brewster who must spend a huge amount of money (with several stipulations) in a short time in order to inherit a grand fortune. Unfortunately several of his sure-fire schemes to lose money backfire and earn him more big bucks. He gives lavish dinner parties and balls, and takes a large host of his friends on a months-long transatlantic cruise, putting up his guests in extravagant European hotels at various stops along the way, paying for whole villages to put on amazing festivals and entertainments for his guests' pleasure along the way. He is not allowed to tell anyone of the inheritance promise, so he drives his financial advisors and friends crazy with his wasteful living...