The First Mrs. Rothschild

A Novel

By: Sara Aharoni, Yardenne Greenspan - translator

Narrated by: Elisabeth Rodgers

Length: 15 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

In this award-winning historical saga, passionate young lovers in a Jewish ghetto rise to become the foremost financial dynasty in the world.

It is the turn of the eighteenth century in Frankfurt, Germany, and young Gutle and Meir Amschel Rothschild struggle to establish themselves in the cramped and restricted Judengasse. But when Meir’s talents as a novice banker catch the attention of a German prince, Meir is suddenly afforded entrée into the European world of finance and nobility, and the Rothschilds’ lives are changed forever. As proud as Gutle is of her husband’s success, she is also cautious - very much aware of the fact that her husband’s rise is tied to his patrons’ willingness to “see past” his Jewishness. As their family grows, and a dream of fortune comes true, so does their belief that money will ultimately bring the power needed to establish Jewish civil rights.

Told through Gutle’s intimate journals, revealed across decades - from the French Revolution through personal tragedies and triumphs - The First Mrs. Rothschild paints a rich and intimate tapestry of family drama, world-changing history, and one woman’s steadfast strength.

©2019 Sara Aharoni (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. English translation © 2019 by Sara Aharoni. Published by arrangement with The Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature.

Inspiring story of a historic family

I loved this book for the information it gave me and swept me along into the history of an incredible family.

Highly recommend!

I was drawn in quickly and kept there throughout. Well written and a very clear descriptios of situations, people and places. Thoroughly enjoyed the narrator as well.

How much is true?

I like authors who explain at the end of the book what was based on fact and what is “poetic license.” This book did not have that. I enjoyed the book, and the history I learned. Many of the incidents I looked up, and found to be true. Karl Marx visiting Mrs. Rothschild had no supporting evidence in my online searches. But it was nice to know how he fit into the timeline. And apparently he’s somehow related to the Rothschilds, and some people think they employed him to write what he did. Another thing I questioned was how accurate the Jewish beliefs were. Seeing your loved ones again after you die - that seems like a Catholic idea. I’m not Jewish, so I don’t know exactly. After researching, I found that there is no unanimous belief in what happens after you die. Some believe that there is no afterlife, others believe that your spirit goes to God. Does that Spirit simply mean the breath of life, or one’s consciousness? I don’t know. “The dead know nothing” according to Ecclesiastes, a book which was traditionally read at the feast of tabernacles according to Wikipedia. The author is probably Jewish (though I can’t find much about her). So maybe these really are the beliefs of some Jews.

Interesting presentation

The story of the foundation and original goals of the Rothschild banking empire is told by reading the journals kept by Gulte Rothschild, wife of founder, Meier Rothschild.

Firstly, the narrator is terrific.

The story attempts to reveal the personal trials and triumphs of Mrs. Rothschild's husband and family along with interesting insights and tidbits about the lifestyle of a 19th century Jewish family living in the Frankfurt Jewish ghetto. It is not a biography per se but rather a memoir. One learns a great deal about the business but the primary focus is the business' effect on Gulte and her children.

I enjoyed it although some "scenes" might have been streamlined or eliminated as they added little to the storyline and/or bogged it down a bit. Overall, well constructed and a fascinating subject.

Surprising page turner

Loved delving into the amazing life of the early Rothschild family.
The founder's simple life and honest character brings new understanding of the dynasty.
The author's ability to develop each of the myriad characters brings fullness to the plot which was their lives.
Even tho I cheated and Googled the family, I found myself unable to stop quickly moving forward to see how it all played out.
Good Read!

Most amazing story.

I absolutely loved the story of the First Mrs. Rothschild. It is a story worth reading or hearing about such s notable family and their beginnings.
I would highly recommend this book.

Things we should learn in school.

Beautifully read. I was curious about the Rothschilds and learned a great deal about the world view that follows Jews. Matriarch tells the story of the family from her own viewpoint. It's one that is disciplined, hard-working, steady. I admire the principles her husband founded their fortunes on.

A personal view of history.

Listening to the"personal diary" of Mrs. Rothschild made the view of historical events so intimate, so real. I felt the breeze, the smoke, the terror. I enjoyed the smells of food, the fragrance of flowers, the crisp air. It was a very engaging novel. I highly recommend immersing oneself in the experience.

Superb storytelling

A historical novel loosely based on facts. Rather leisurely in pace, yet the narrative, which spans several decades, remains gripping. The characters are well developed and their fates are vividly interwoven with the real events of the European continent.
This is storytelling of the highest order.
There was one small thing that bothered me about the narrator: towards the end, the voice sounds very sorry and sorrowful, which was a bit tiring. On the other hand, the protagonist gets very old, so it is well realised to give her a different speaking tempo and tone at the end of her life.

So glad I didn't miss this historic book!!

This book is read through Mrs. Rothschild POV. The orphaned Mier Rothschild met and married her, living in the Frankfurt ghetto. He started coin collecting, trading and eventually went into full blown banking and commerce. It's a good grab as to how he could rise so quickly in the financial world. With ten children, 5 sons and 5 daughters, his labor problems are non existent. His philosophy is to keep the secrets of success close within the family. With sons moving to London, Paris and other markets, the Rothschild Dynasty is well on its way when the book ends at her death. The narrator was fantastic. Don't miss this if you like history or just wondered how they got so stinking rich.