The Last Kings of Shanghai: The Rival Jewish Dynasties That Helped Create Modern China

Where to start? I consider myself a mature, educated professional woman. I have visited Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou (Canton), et al. Still, this book opened my mind to so many issues goingon in China in the 20th century at the same time I was growing up across the Pacific Ocean. Never did I know China was a destination for the Jewish trying to escape Nazism. It is causing me to think of colonialism in a more sophisticated way and to admire Chinese fortitude after being given mental images of the very difficult lives many lived. I have a feeling this book will be on my mind often during early morning walks.

Amazing topic. Amazingly well researched. Well written, well balanced. I learned a lot. Kudos to the author!

Fast-paced non-fiction. Amazing and a wealth of information.

The Last Kings of Shanghai sweeps through the 19th and 20th centuries, telling the story of two families of the Jewish diaspora, originally based in Baghdad, the Sassoons and the Kadoories, who end up accumulating astounding wealth through trade. For decades they rule the elegant waterfront of Shanghai, living in the opulent splendor of their own grand hotels and mansions, while the Chinese, whom they barely notice, struggle to survive. Through the improbable lens of these families we glimpse the tumult of the great transitions that ended the centuries of dynastic empires in China – from the collapse of the Qing dynasty to Sun Yat-sen to Chaing Kai-Shek to Mao – all of which led to today’s People’s Republic. Kaufman offers an absorbing and innovative angle on the story of east meets west. An educational precept suggests that we learn by beginning with the familiar and gradually edging into the unfamiliar. For me nothing could seem more exotically enigmatic than the history of China. This book is an exciting read because, in addition to depicting fascinating characters, it lifts a curtain and makes intelligible what had previously been opaque. Kaufman takes a journalistic stance on the behavior of these tycoons and lets the reader do most of the moral judging (if there be any). Certainly vis a vis the Chinese, the Kadoories and the Sassoons exhibit little generosity or even curiosity. But there is a moment of true redemption for both families during World War II. While the US turns away refugees from the Holocaust, Shanghai embraces them in droves. The Sassoons and the Kadoories participate in welcoming 18,000 Jews. Horace Kadoorie, perhaps the most empathetic member of these clans, sets up a school for the children. I hope many people will read this book. Surely you want to know what happens to Lawrence and Horace when the Communists take over and where all those Jewish refugees finally land when the war is over. And what about Victor? He is the hero and anti-hero of the book. You really want to know how his life takes a turn.

Kaufman stated he is a old China hand based on stints with The BG and WSJ. Both of these papers have a history of bias reporting. The also have a history of being negative on China. Kaufman appears to have gleaned most of his knowledge from others who had more knowledge of China and her history rather then his knowledge.

This book was good, but not great. I would like to dig into the formation and operation of the businesses a bit more. A family tree might help a little. Overall, it was decent and a reasonably easy read.

The title of my review is a quote by Honore de Balzac and is more than appropriate for this very-well and interesting book. Two rival Jewish dynasties that helped create China were also responsible for the destruction of the lives of many millions in China, due to their opium trade in the 19th century. The forunes made by the Sassoons and the Kadoories were built on low wages and unfair competition. They exacerbated inequality that left Chinese dying in the streets of Shanghai even as the Kadoories danced at Marble Hall and Victor Sassoon presided over his extravagant parties in Shanghai.They were responsible for the rise of Communism in China, which in turn, decimated the fortunes of both families.In short, they were part of the robber barons of the 19th century ,thus bringing only misery to tens of millions of people.In the court of history ,they will always be judged as heinous criminals forever and ever.

Interesting, little known history of powerful Jewish families in China. Spheres on influence in China, Hong. Kong and Beijing.The power of finance, trade and humanity.

This book is well worth a read. For anyone who lives or who has lived in Shanghai and is interested in its history this book is excellent. It focuses on the two Jewish family dynasties that contributed to Shanghai's development. Enjoyable and informative. Just one part of Shanghai's story but an important one often overlooked. Highly recommended.

Ein Thema und Protagonisten, welche hierzulande kaum bekannt sind. Stoff für ein mehrteiliges Film-Epos.Ich bin auf das Buch durch eine Empfehlung von Dr. Markus Elsässer gekommen.

Muito interessante

Buen libro buen escrito

Who is controlling the Real Estate of Shanghai