America's 60 Families

America's 60 Families examines the concentration of wealth and power among sixty elite American families during the early 20th century. Through detailed financial analysis and investigative reporting, journalist Ferdinand Lundberg traces the interconnections between these dynastic families and their influence over American economics and politics. The book presents extensive documentation of banking records, stock holdings, and corporate ownership to map the networks of wealth in 1930s America. Lundberg's investigation covers major industrial empires including the Rockefellers, Morgans, Fords, and DuPonts, revealing their methods of maintaining and expanding their economic dominance. Building on his earlier exposé of William Randolph Hearst, Lundberg analyzes how these wealthy families wielded power through control of major industries, banks, and media outlets. The book covers pivotal historical events from the Civil War through the Great Depression, examining them through the lens of familial wealth and influence. This groundbreaking work stands as one of the first systematic studies of wealth concentration in America, establishing new frameworks for understanding the relationship between economic and political power. Its central thesis about the outsized influence of a small number of families continues to resonate in contemporary discussions of inequality and plutocracy.

Readers describe this 1937 work as a detailed investigation into America's wealthiest families and their influence over politics, media, and the economy. The documentation of financial records and corporate ownership structures impressed many readers, with several noting the book remains relevant to understanding modern wealth concentration. What readers liked: - Specific examples linking family fortunes to political decisions - Clear breakdowns of corporate ownership networks - Historical context for how fortunes were built - Original source materials and extensive research citations What readers disliked: - Dense economic data can be difficult to follow - Some sections feel repetitive - Writing style is dry and academic - Print editions have small text that strains eyes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) One reviewer noted: "The financial details can be overwhelming, but the core message about concentrated power is more important now than ever." Another said: "Changed how I view American capitalism, though it requires patient reading."

The Rich and the Super-Rich by Ferdinand Lundberg A follow-up study examining the concentration of wealth among American families through the mid-20th century with updated research on interlocking corporate structures.

Dark Money by Jane Mayer This investigation tracks how wealthy families have shaped American politics through networks of foundations and political organizations.

Lords of Creation by Frederick Lewis Allen The book documents the rise of American banking dynasties and industrial titans from the 1920s through the Great Depression.

The Power Elite by C. Wright Mills An examination of the interconnected power structures between wealthy families, military leadership, and political decision-makers in post-war America.

Dynasties: Fortunes and Misfortunes of the World's Great Family Businesses by David S. Landes A study of family-controlled business empires across multiple generations and their impact on national economies.

🔹 The book, published in 1937, caused such a stir that it was republished multiple times and remained continuously in print for over 30 years. 🔹 Ferdinand Lundberg spent five years gathering data and conducting research for this book while working as a financial journalist for the New York Herald Tribune. 🔹 The "60 families" identified in the book collectively controlled approximately $23 billion in assets at the time - equivalent to over $400 billion today when adjusted for inflation. 🔹 The work heavily influenced later investigations into wealth concentration, including C. Wright Mills' influential 1956 book "The Power Elite." 🔹 Several of the families profiled in the book, including the Rockefellers and DuPonts, attempted to discredit Lundberg's findings but were unable to disprove his meticulously documented research.