Founder: Meyer Amschel Rothschild and His Time - Softcover

Elon, Amos

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0571279635 ISBN 13: 9780571279630

Publisher: Faber and Faber, 2011

Synopsis

By mid-nineteenth century, Meyer Amschel Rothschild's five sons controlled one of the most massive fortunes in Europe. The Rothschild name had become synonymous with the enormous political and social power that often accompanied that wealth, the amassing of which is remarkable considering the painfully modest beginnings of its founder. Born in the unimaginable squalor of Frankfurt's Jewish ghetto (where he chose to spend his entire life), Meyer Rothschild established a small trading and banking business that - despite political, legal, and social constrictions segregating Jews from the outside world-evolved into an empire that included the financial centers of the world. Founder is the story of Meyer Rothschild's times, of the condition of the Jews, of the city-states before they were overrun by Napoleon's troops. It is about the threshold of the modern era, when the world of aristocrats and gentlemen was profoundly influenced by a shrewd, dedicated, loyal father and his family. Amos Elon's rich and evocative depiction of life in mid-eighteenth-century Europe provides a vivid background against which we come to understand and marvel at the strength and perseverance driving this obviously extraordinary, humble man. 'Elon . . . has written a terrifically readable biography that does more than illuminate the formerly shadowy figure who served princes in what is now Germany. Through the prism of Mayer Rothschild's life, Mr. Elon gives us a fascinating glimpse into how Europe - and by implication, the New World - made the journey from mercantilism to modern entrepreneurship . . . Mr. Elon's feat is in chronicling all this with clarity and drama. Founder skillfully weaves history into this story of human endeavour to create a memorable narrative of Mayer Rothschild's time.' Deborah Stead, New York Times Book Review

About this title

Review:

‘[A] slim volume but a thoroughly absorbing one’
Chaim Bermant, Sunday Telegraph

‘Anyone who wants to understand the deep psychological drives that lie behind [the Rothschilds’] success should read this classic account.’
Niall Ferguson, Sunday Times

‘Elon tells us that there is no authentic likeness of Meyer, but he has succeeded, with his own kind of clear-headed admiration, in bringing him to life.’
Penelope Fitzgerald, Evening Standard

‘A triumph for hidden history’
J. B. Pick, Scotsman

From the Back Cover:

By the middle of the nineteenth century, the five Rothschild brothers – in London, Frankfurt, Paris, Vienna, and Naples – controlled the finances of Europe more closely than any family ever had before, and were a byword for the power which great wealth can bring with it. But the man who founded this dynasty has always been an elusive figure who generally merits no more than a few pages in books which concentrate on the achievements of his offspring. Amos Elon’s 'Founder' gives us, in as complete a form as possible, the life of this remarkable man for the first time.

” “ You can’t have too many Rothschilds,” said Disraeli ( reasonably enough – they had, after all, secured the Suez canal for his Royal mistress.) This stylish, scholarly book tells the story of the first of them, Meyer Amschel. Born in 1744, he lived his whole life in the Frankfurt ghetto. A century later, his widow could say: “There will be no war in Europe. My sons will not provide the money for it. “ A tour de force.”
IAN McINTYRE, 'The Times'

”A triumph for hidden history.”
J. B. PICK, 'Scotsman'

”This slim, charming volume succeeds in snatching its elusive subjects from oblivion.”
RON CHERNOW, 'New York Times Book Review'

”Anyone who wants to understand the deep psychological drives that lie behind [the Rothschilds’] success should read this classic account.”
Niall Ferguson,'Sunday Times'

“[A] Slim volume but a thoroughly absorbing one”
CHAIM BERMANT, 'Sunday Telegraph'

“Elon tells us that there is no authentic likeness of Meyer, but he has succeeded, with his own kind of clear headed admiration, in bringing him to life.”
PENELOPE FITZGERALD, 'Evening Standard'

”A scholarly yet stylish and exceptionally well illustrated volume.”
KENNETH ROSE, 'Literary Review'

About this edition

• Publisher: Faber and Faber
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0571279635
• ISBN 13: 9780571279630
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208