"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.

Finance heavy

This was wayyyy too finance heavy. 30% in you’re still talking about railroad bonds. I say this as someone who has a background in finance and often reads nonfiction finance books. That’s just not what this book pitches itself as. I wanted a nonfiction tale of posh high society in NY and I got bonds and trade discussions. Maybe it gets better at some point but I had to walk away after wasting so many hours.

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.

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.

Fantastic history of the German Jews that came to the USA and created Financial empires in a matter of decades.

The ultimate rags to riches story of the German Jews that came to the USA in the mid-late 1800’s and created some of the country’s leading financial corporations. This is the story of the Seligmans, Loebl, Kahns , Schiffs, Lehmans, Goldman and Sachs families and how they built their empires. Great feeling for the NY of the turn of the century.

Very informative

This was a lite book that was enjoyable to listen to. Very amusing informative and entertaining it’s amazing how much money these people had and what an amazing lifestyle they had

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.

Great listen

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

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.

Fascinating

I wasn't sure I would go for this book, but it was great. I learned a lot of new things about banking in America and the tremendous contributions of The Crowd! The narrator was super.

Highbrow Gossip

There were a few parts that were fascinating, including the foundations of US banking systems, Jewish families helping fund the the Civil War. I also appreciated some of the social commentary about how the attitudes of the immigrants evolved. So much listing of names, assets, and gossipy or silly family tales got tedious. I listened to the end, hoping to have some sort of wrap up, which did not come. Overall it felt dated – sometimes interesting in itself – and I would have loved an abridged version.

Fascinating

I thought I wouldn't enjoy this as much as I did. While it is a comprehensive list of endless names I'm surprised by just how much I learned while enjoying the achievements and exploits of "Our Crowd".
Facts about the super rich are so fascinating.
Wonderful narration of what could have been a very dull book read in a dull way. This was a good listen!

Our Crowd - good story

Most interesting piece of history here that I didn’t know I had been curious about.
A most enthusiastic reader.

Our crowd

Could’ve,should’ve,would’ve been better if they told the stories separately. You got muddled up by the time they had families and who married who,then when their kids came along and took over. To much to take in.