Founder: A Portrait of the First Rothschild and His Time

Founder: A Portrait of the First Rothschild and His Timeby Amos Elon(52,000 words and 51 illustrations)

In this short biography of Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812), historian and journalist Amos Elon describes how the founder of the Rothschild dynasty started out by dealing in rare coins and traveling across Germany while still confined, as a Frankfurt Jew, to its Judengasse. Assisted by his five skilled sons, Rothschild subsequently built up a fortune by helping manage the investments of the Landgrave of Hesse, circumventing Napoleon’s blockade of England and funding Napoleon’s eventual defeat.

“This slim, charming volume is actually a biographical essay, yet it succeeds in snatching its elusive subject from oblivion.” — Ron Chernow,***The New York Times***

“This is a fascinating story.” —***The New York Review of Books***

“A memorable first biography of a near-mythical founding father.” —***Publishers Weekly***

“A thoroughly researched, fascinating, and altogether exemplary biography.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Amos Elon’s portrait of the man who fathered a dynasty makes fascinating reading for anyone even mildly interested in money and power and their effects on history. Founder is a rich and colorful examination of [Meyer Amschel Rothschild]” —**Morley Safer**

“Elon’s book… is a thoroughly researched and absorbing biography.” —***St. Louis Jewish Light***

“A biography that’s a must read for today’s entrepreneurs.” —***Houston Chronicle***