A novelist who has specialized in creating tales of the rich and well placed offers an insider's view of one of the wealthiest segments of an affluent city: Jewish upper--class life in New York.Working with diaries; letters; and personal reminiscences supplied by members of interwoven families--Loeb; Lehman; straus; seligman; and Guggenheism; among others--Stephen Birmingham has assembled a remarkable composite portrait. some of his tales are wildly funny. others are poignant. All are set within a world of numbing opulence--Fifth Avenue mansions; chateaux on Long Island; castles in Westchester; vast art collections--millions given away so quietly and steadily that they have never properly been counted. This economic power and unique culture was played out alongside--but never a part of--the gentile establishment.Remarkable individuals; resplendent dynasties--out of the elegant fabric of their lives; Birmingham has fashioned superb social history.
#1054279 in Books NYU Press 2000-05 2000-06-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x 1.89 x 7.01l; 3.58 #File Name: 0814782493934 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A powerful; informative; insightful; source-based history.By Midwest Book ReviewCivil Rights Since 1787 is a reader on the black struggle since 1787 that provides a powerful collection of articles which rewrites history; charting an earlier struggle for civil rights than most titles would present and using primary documents and secondary analysis to spice the presentation. Works by DuBois; Fannie Lou Hamer; Ella Baker; Manning Marable and more are outstanding presentations.0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Dr. Clarence Taylor and Dr. Birnbaum gathered excellent information.By BesoinIf you really want to know what the Civil Rights Movement accomplished; you should read this novel that has annotations and reference pages. The book quotes Reconstruction and Civil Rights experts. The book details how blacks were able to manage schools;the limit and broadness of the tobacco trade; the labor movement and how the African-American struggle assisted this movement. The book gives statistics that purport the glass ceiling. It is an informative text that should be read by people who want to appreciate and comprehend the history of struggles for equality.0 of 12 people found the following review helpful. i haven't read this book but.......By A Customerthis guy is my professor this semester; i figured a little sucking up wouldn't hurt. on a more serious note; i have to admit that mr. taylor (smart-ass comments aside) is fully versed on a number of historical themes; it is truly admirable. he seems to be a strict individual but not to the point of being unyielding. i trust that his book will be an engaging read.
