The House of Morgan: An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance by Ron ChernowMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mark Chernow is my favorite historical writer. Just as he did in his biographies of Hamilton, Washington, Lincoln and Grant, he sifts through mountains of historical data, records and accounts and weaves them into a tight, entrancing tapestry.
"The House of Morgan" forces me to view history through a new lens, considering the financial implications and influence wielded over world events by bankers and their whims, needs and mandates.
It's astounding how little national leaders and their armies had to do with the fates of civilization in comparison to the power wielded by the most influential banking entities of their respective times. This three-dimensional glimpse at historical events makes you reconsider a lot of what you thought you knew.
This was Chernow's first book, and he was still developing his authoritative voice. While it may not top his later, greater works, it's a foundational building block for one of our time's greatest authors. Like his other efforts, "The House of Morgan" is a treasure worth experiencing and studying.
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