"Our Crowd"

The Great Jewish Families of New York

By: Stephen Birmingham

Narrated by: Mel Foster

Length: 19 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times bestselling history of the rise of the most powerful and privileged Jewish families in America

They immigrated to America from Germany in the nineteenth century with names like Loeb, Sachs, Seligman, Lehman, Guggenheim, and Goldman. From tenements on the Lower East Side to Park Avenue mansions, this handful of Jewish families turned small businesses into imposing enterprises and amassed spectacular fortunes. But despite possessing breathtaking wealth that rivaled the Astors and Rockefellers, they were barred by the gentile establishment from the lofty realm of "the 400," a register of New York's most elite, because of their religion and humble backgrounds. In response, they created their own elite "100," a privileged society as opulent and exclusive as the one that had refused them entry.

"Our Crowd" is the fascinating story of this rarefied society. Based on letters, documents, diary entries, and intimate personal remembrances of family lore by members of these most illustrious clans, it is an engrossing portrait of upper-class Jewish life over two centuries; a riveting story of the bankers, brokers, financiers, philanthropists, and business tycoons who started with nothing and turned their family names into American institutions.

©1967 Stephen Birmingham (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. The Macmillan Company for the letters of Otto Kahn which appeared in "The Many Lives of Otto Kahn" by Mary Jane Mate, © 1963 by Margaret D. Ryan.

Landmark book that can be overwhelming at times

I've been wanting to read this for yrs & finally did. Though interesting & informative, it's as much a history of Wall Street as it is of the families. Understanding the financial manipulation & strategies that built the families' fortunes is challenging. As the generations turn up, the intanglement of relationships is confusing. If there's a family tree diagram in the printed book that might minimize confusion? Overall it's a good read if you're interested in American Jewish & NYC history.

Excellent

I am Jewish so this history is particularly interesting to me. If turn of the century history, finance, and social history is of interest to the reader this book will not disappoint.

Great listen

Some parts a little dry but fascinating look at Jewish history in NY from the vantage point of the mid 1960s.

Brilliant!

Really colors in the events leading up to the 1940’s New York. Well worth the listen!

Detailed history of German Jews immigrants

Wonderful detailed history of German Jewish families into de USA and the way their great initiatives allowed them to succeed in America.

Very informative

I really enjoyed learning about the history of these great families. As an immigrant who came to the US at the age of 9, I am now 60, it has given me more insight into the history of the great families of New York.
A terrific read for those who would like to learn more about the famous financial institutions.

Fascinating look at American history from the perspective of one unique group

I very much enjoyed looking into the lives of these extraordinary families. The narrator was very good, and the author did a nice job of humanizing people we’ve only heard of as public figures. The only aspect I didn’t enjoy, probably because I simply am not interested, Was the detailed description of the investment banking world.

Pronunciation

There need to be language tutors for so much of the pronunciation of foreign locations and historic facts Surprising.
I enjoyed the book thoroughly otherwise

Interesting if you have patience

Who can follow most of the who married whom? I don't know maybe a chart would help, not in an audio book though.

I did find the book interesting in may parts. Also the early, kind of Downton Abbey stuff was pretty interesting to me.

I got the book free and it was worth every penny I paid for it.

America is the story of Jewish heritage

Jewish immigrants were an instrumental part of making America great!

Not taught in schools!