Our Crowd

Our Crowd chronicles the rise of prominent German-Jewish banking families who established themselves in New York City during the 1800s. The book focuses on dynasties like the Lehmans, Goldmans, Sachs, Seligmans, and other influential families who became pillars of Wall Street and New York society. Birmingham reconstructs the professional and personal lives of these families through extensive research, interviews, and private documents. The narrative tracks their immigration from Germany, their initial ventures in America, and their eventual transformation into powerful financial institutions. The book examines the social customs, business practices, and family traditions that defined this close-knit community of Jewish elites. It details their relationships with each other, their integration into American society, and the evolution of their businesses from small merchandising operations to major investment banks. The work stands as a significant examination of immigration, assimilation, and the development of American capitalism through the lens of a specific cultural group. It reveals how these families maintained their identity while achieving extraordinary success in their adopted country.

Readers appreciate the detailed research and storytelling about prominent Jewish banking families in New York from 1850-1950. Many note it reads like an engaging family saga rather than a dry history. Liked: - Rich details about family dynamics and social customs - Clear explanations of complex banking concepts - Documentation of Jewish immigration and assimilation - Insights into how these families shaped New York City Disliked: - Some find the large number of families and individuals hard to track - A few readers note occasional repetition - Some wanted more focus on the banking/business aspects versus social life - Several mention the writing can be dense in parts Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (450+ ratings) Sample review: "Fascinating look into a closed society that helped build American finance. Sometimes gets bogged down in details but overall compelling." - Goodreads reviewer "Reads like a novel but packed with historical facts. The family trees helped keep everyone straight." - Amazon reviewer

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📚 The book's publication in 1967 became an unexpected bestseller, remaining on the New York Times bestseller list for 47 weeks 🏦 Many of the banking dynasties featured in the book started as small clothing or general merchandise businesses before transitioning into finance 👥 The term "Our Crowd" was used by these families to distinguish themselves from both the "newer" Eastern European Jewish immigrants and the non-Jewish elite 🤝 Marriage between members of these German-Jewish banking families was common and often encouraged, helping to maintain both wealth and cultural traditions 🎓 Despite their wealth, these families initially faced exclusion from many elite institutions, leading them to create their own prestigious schools, clubs, and social organizations