The Rich and the Super-Rich

The Rich and the Super-Rich (1968) is Ferdinand Lundberg's examination of wealth concentration and power structures in American society. The book analyzes financial data and historical records to document the economic influence of the nation's wealthiest families and individuals. Lundberg traces the accumulation of wealth through multiple generations, highlighting the mechanisms of inheritance, tax policy, and business consolidation. His research encompasses both old-money dynasties and newer industrial fortunes of the mid-20th century. The text presents extensive data on income distribution, corporate ownership, and political networks that connect America's wealthy class. Lundberg draws from tax records, corporate filings, and other primary sources to build his economic analysis. This work stands as a critique of American capitalism and raises questions about democracy in a society with extreme wealth inequality. The book challenges conventional narratives about economic mobility and merit-based success in the United States.

Readers find the book provides detailed data and analysis about wealth concentration in America, though some note the 1968 statistics are now dated. Many appreciate Lundberg's investigative research into specific wealthy families and their business networks. Readers liked: - Deep examination of how wealth maintains power - Documentation of corporate ownership structures - Clear writing style that makes complex topics accessible - Historical examples that remain relevant Readers disliked: - Dense academic tone in certain chapters - Some repetitive sections - Limited solutions or recommendations - Focus primarily on American wealth Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (31 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Eye-opening look at how wealth perpetuates itself through generations" - Goodreads "The family network diagrams alone are worth the read" - Amazon "Could use better editing but the research is solid" - LibraryThing

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🔸 Ferdinand Lundberg spent five years researching this 1968 exposé, analyzing over 2,500 pages of tax returns and conducting hundreds of interviews with wealthy families and their associates. 🔸 The book became an instant New York Times bestseller and remained on the list for 32 weeks, despite facing intense criticism from several prominent wealthy families mentioned within its pages. 🔸 Lundberg concluded that just 60 families controlled the vast majority of America's wealth in the 1960s, with the Rockefellers alone controlling assets worth over $100 billion in today's dollars. 🔸 Before writing this book, Lundberg worked as a financial reporter for the New York Herald Tribune, where his investigative work on Wall Street corruption earned him both acclaim and powerful enemies. 🔸 The book's findings helped inspire several congressional investigations into wealth concentration and tax avoidance schemes, leading to reforms in tax law during the 1970s.