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scribdecahedron's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
3.5
erikinthedistrict's review against another edition
2.0
Reads more like a family soap opera, kinda boring compared to other Chernow books
coulterdaniel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Ron Chernow is one of my favorite historians. I enjoy all of the books that I have read of his thus far. I got this book on Audible, and it was a LONG listen. This book goes into one the most well known families that seemed to have a hand in everything. There were plenty of family talents and interests besides banking. Several members of the family sat on boards across all businesses, and were involved in many charities. During World War II, they were involved in the war effort and in trying to help out German Jew friends and relations, even as their bank and assets were taken over by the Nazi regime. I really learned a lot about this family and all of the key players.
bmichelson's review against another edition
A lot of extraneous information to plough through. Not for me, now.
metamoragail's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Ron Chernow unearthed everything he could find about this family, but in the end he seems a bit smitten by their glamour(in the faerie sense) and excuses extreme conduct. Gives a good sense of the Gernan environment of the age, while narrow due to the constricted scope of the Warburg clan.
leilatre's review
4.0
This is the second Ron Chernow book I've listened to on audiobook (the first being the mesmerizing Alexander Hamilton). Being a book about a large family, it was a bit of a challenge keeping the various characters straight.
The history covers 1600 through present day for a Jewish-German family. As you might expect, the most interesting part revolves around the build up to and action during WWII. It is interesting to hear about the experience of well-off German Jews (as contrasted with poor Jews from conquered/invaded countries -- the subject covered by many of the WWII books that I have read). Hitler and his goons could be bought (at least for a while). Also the slow loss of rights is really cleverly outlined, which makes it easier for readers to understand how even wealthy people wound up trapped there.
Post-WWII the book bogs down a bit with lots of talk of proposed bank mergers. Even a (former) bank lawyer like myself glazed over from time to time. But overall it is a thoughtful, interesting tale of a mostly-caring, involved and successful family that built and rebuilt its fortunes through some extremely difficult circumstances.
The history covers 1600 through present day for a Jewish-German family. As you might expect, the most interesting part revolves around the build up to and action during WWII. It is interesting to hear about the experience of well-off German Jews (as contrasted with poor Jews from conquered/invaded countries -- the subject covered by many of the WWII books that I have read). Hitler and his goons could be bought (at least for a while). Also the slow loss of rights is really cleverly outlined, which makes it easier for readers to understand how even wealthy people wound up trapped there.
Post-WWII the book bogs down a bit with lots of talk of proposed bank mergers. Even a (former) bank lawyer like myself glazed over from time to time. But overall it is a thoughtful, interesting tale of a mostly-caring, involved and successful family that built and rebuilt its fortunes through some extremely difficult circumstances.
sbnich's review against another edition
3.0
Chernow is a brilliant biographer, and The Warburgs definitely showcases his meticulous, easy narrative style.
The challenge with documenting an entire family is that the characters over 4 generations are increasingly difficult to keep track of. There is also so much information that, in this case, it would have been better to trim some and tighten up the narrative.
The challenge with documenting an entire family is that the characters over 4 generations are increasingly difficult to keep track of. There is also so much information that, in this case, it would have been better to trim some and tighten up the narrative.