A North Carolina native from a family of tobacco farmers who pursued green energy innovation by founding a biodiesel truck stop, Red Birch Energy, after witnessing industry decline.

A longtime political operative who worked with Joe Biden, experienced the financial sector, and became a lobbyist, providing insider knowledge of Washington's power structures.

A community organizer from Youngstown, Ohio, who overcame personal hardships and industrial decline, actively working to revitalize her community.

A tech investor and one of the original founders of PayPal known for his libertarian views and investments aimed at technological advancements with a focus on his survivalist tendencies.

A prominent radio and TV host associated with the Tea Party movement, influential in the narrative surrounding American partisan politics.

The U.S. Vice President in 2008 and an influential political figure throughout the book, whom Jeff Connaughton worked with closely.

A historic populist politician brought up in the narrative as a symbol of populist movements fighting against corporate interests.

A construction business owner and mentor to Dean Price who invested in Red Birch Energy but eventually withdrew support.

A Democratic senator whose political actions represented the influence of Wall Street on Washington, complicating reform efforts.

A victim of the foreclosure crisis whose struggle serves as an example of individual hardships during the economic downturn.

A family representing the lower-income Americans significantly impacted by the economic and housing crises.

A former union leader turned community activist in Youngstown, inspired by Tammy Thomas to take leadership roles in local revitalization efforts.

An author whose success philosophies significantly influenced Dean Price's outlook and approach to business and personal aspiration.

An associate of Peter Thiel and an important figure in the tech world, known for his early involvement with PayPal and subsequent success with LinkedIn.

A historian known for her ideas on ideal urban planning, influencing views on city development, particularly criticized within Tampa's context.

A Tea Party activist from Tampa who played a significant role in local political movements and campaigns against public transit initiatives.

A tech worker who joined Occupy Wall Street, illustrating the on-the-ground experiences and struggles of the movement.

Joe Biden's former chief of staff and interim senator who worked with Jeff Connaughton to attempt financial reform during the late-2000s economic crisis.

A central figure in fraudulent real estate dealings in Tampa, uncovered by journalist Mike Van Sickler.

Wealthy industrialists known for their heavy investment in conservative political causes and influence in shaping political narratives.

An individual who fought against bank foreclosure and advocated for connecting legal assistance to those affected.

Instrumental in the founding and innovation behind PayPal, contributing to the early success of Peter Thiel's ventures.

A respected judge and Clinton White House Counsel who became a mentor to Jeff Connaughton during his time in Washington.

An anonymous Wall Street insider who provides perspective on the finance industry and the cultural shifts contributing to the mortgage crisis.

Founder of the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative, responsible for hiring Tammy Thomas and promoting local activism.

An activist known for his controversial undercover videos that targeted and discredited organizations like ACORN.

Entrepreneur known for his role in founding Napster and investing in Facebook, emblematic of tech culture's new elite.

An immigrant who successfully contested a fraudulent foreclosure, maintaining faith in the American Dream despite obstacles.

A Democratic congressman from Virginia's Fifth District who collaborated with Dean Price on green energy initiatives.

Dean Price’s father, whose troubled life had a lasting impact on Dean's personal and professional ambitions.

Cofounder of a bipartisan lobbying firm, showcasing the entrenchment of lobbying in political processes.

Collaborator with Peter Thiel on conservative projects during their time at Stanford, later achieving success as a tech entrepreneur.

A Republican county commissioner from Tampa who was challenged by his party for supporting public transit initiatives.

A business partner of Dean Price in Red Birch Energy who became a political and personal rival over time.

An activist who bridged grassroots labor and the Occupy Wall Street movement, embodying the potential and challenges of activism.

A former business partner of Dean Price who turned against him, representing challenges Dean faced within his community.

Tammy Thomas's great-grandmother, whose values and legacy significantly shaped Tammy's life and worldview.

Tammy Thomas's mother, whose struggles with heroin addiction embodied the broader issues facing Youngstown.

The operator of a cosmetics pyramid scheme, whose actions affected Dean Price's family and represented the vulnerabilities of Americans facing economic uncertainty.

A journalist who exposed local real estate fraud and depicted the broader impacts of the mortgage crisis in the media.

A former Federal Reserve chairman whose criticisms of Wall Street and Washington's financial practices played a part in reform discussions.

An attorney specializing in foreclosure defense, providing legal resistance against the injustices of the mortgage industry.