Jonathan Kaufman

Jonathan Kaufman is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author known for his extensive coverage of China, Asian business, and Jewish history. His work spans decades as a reporter and bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News. During his career at The Wall Street Journal, Kaufman served as China bureau chief and covered significant economic and social transformations in Asia. He received the Pulitzer Prize as part of a team for coverage of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. His books include "Broken Alliance: The Turbulent Times Between Blacks and Jews in America" and "The Last Kings of Shanghai: The Rival Jewish Dynasties That Helped Create Modern China." The latter explores the story of two Jewish families, the Sassoons and Kadoories, who built business empires in China. Kaufman has also served as Director of the School of Journalism at Northeastern University, contributing to journalism education while continuing his work as an author and researcher focused on Asian business dynamics and cross-cultural histories.

Readers consistently praise Kaufman's depth of research and ability to weave complex historical narratives into engaging stories, particularly in "The Last Kings of Shanghai." What readers liked: - Clear, accessible writing style that makes complex business and political history understandable - Rich details about cultural intersections between Jewish and Chinese communities - Balance of personal stories with broader historical context - Thorough documentation and research What readers disliked: - Some found the number of characters and family connections difficult to track - A few readers noted timeline jumps could be confusing - Occasional repetition of key points Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (500+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "Kaufman excels at showing how these families navigated both Chinese and Western worlds while building their empires" - Amazon reviewer Another reader noted: "The historical detail is impressive but never dry - reads like a novel while being thoroughly researched" - Goodreads review

Kings of Shanghai: Two Rival Jewish Dynasties and the Creation of Modern China (2020) Chronicles how two Jewish families, the Sassoons and Kadoories, built business empires in Shanghai from the 1800s to the Communist revolution.

The Last Kings of Shanghai: The Rival Jewish Dynasties That Helped Create Modern China (2020) Explores the history and influence of the Sassoon and Kadoorie families in Shanghai's development from the Opium Wars through World War II.

Broken Alliance: The Turbulent Times Between Blacks and Jews in America (1988) Examines the relationship between African Americans and Jewish Americans during the Civil Rights era and its subsequent deterioration.

A Hole in the Heart of the World: Being Jewish in Eastern Europe (1997) Documents the experiences of Jewish communities in Eastern Europe following the fall of communism.

MBA in a Book: Mastering Business with Attitude (2009) Presents core business concepts and strategies through real-world examples and case studies from business leaders.

Daniel Kahneman examines decision-making processes, cognitive biases, and behavioral economics. His work bridges psychology and economics, exploring how humans make choices under uncertainty, similar to Kaufman's analysis of business and organizational behavior.

Malcolm Gladwell focuses on unexpected patterns in social phenomena and business success stories. His narrative style combines research with storytelling to explain complex social and economic trends, resembling Kaufman's approach to business journalism.

Leslie Chang investigates modern China's social and economic transformation through personal stories. She documents the lives of workers and entrepreneurs in China's changing economy, sharing Kaufman's interest in Asian business dynamics.

Ron Chernow writes about influential business figures and financial dynasties through biographical narratives. His work examines power structures and economic influence in ways that parallel Kaufman's exploration of business families.

Bethany McLean investigates corporate scandals and financial markets through detailed reporting. She reveals the inner workings of companies and economic systems, following similar investigative paths as Kaufman's work on business empires.