Jacob Schiff and the Art of Risk


Book Description

Jacob Henry Schiff (1847–1920), a German-born American Jewish banker, facilitated critical loans for Japan in the early twentieth century. Working on behalf of the firm of Kuhn, Loeb & Co., Schiff’s assertiveness in favour of Japan separated him from his fellow German Jewish financiers and the banking establishment generally. This book’s analysis differs from the consensus that Schiff funded Japan largely out of enmity towards Russia but rather sought to work with Japan for over thirty years. This was as much a factor in his actions surrounding the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) as his concern to thwart Russian antisemitism. Of interest to financial historians alongside Japanese historians and academics of both genres, this book provides a lively and thoroughly researched volume that precisely focuses on Schiff’s mastery of banking.




Jews in Japan: Presence and Perception


Book Description

Jews in Japan: Presence and Perception. Antisemitism, Philosemitism and International Relations is a study on the history of real and imagined Jews in Japan, which discusses the little known cultural, political and economic ties between Jews and Japan, and follows the evolution of Jewish stereotypes in Japan in the last century and a half. The book begins with the arrival of Jews and their image in late 19th to early 20th-century Japan, when the seeds of later stereotyped visions were sown. The discussion then focuses on wartime Japan, delving into the complex and mixed attitudes of the Japanese Empire toward Jews. In postwar Japan, the partial reception of the Holocaust intertwined with earlier antisemitic and philosemitic manifestations, resulting in instances of both hatred and admiration toward Jews. Finally, the book explores the recent reframing of Japanese-Jewish historical encounters within the context of the growing ties between Japan and Israel. This study sheds new light on the little explored relations between Jews and Japan, offering thought-provoking insights into the coexistence of antisemitism and philosemitism, the political and diplomatic uses of Jewish history, and the perpetuation of Jewish stereotypes in a land devoid of a local Jewish population.




The Money Kings


Book Description

The incredible saga of the German-Jewish immigrants—with now familiar names like Goldman and Sachs, Kuhn and Loeb, Warburg and Schiff, Lehman and Seligman—who profoundly influenced the rise of modern finance (and so much more), from the New York Times best-selling author of Sons of Wichita Joseph Seligman arrived in the United States in 1837, with the equivalent of $100 sewn into the lining of his pants. Then came the Lehman brothers, who would open a general store in Montgomery, Alabama. Not far behind were Solomon Loeb and Marcus Goldman, among the “Forty-Eighters” fleeing a Germany that had relegated Jews to an underclass. These industrious immigrants would soon go from peddling trinkets and buying up shopkeepers’ IOUs to forming what would become some of the largest investment banks in the world—Goldman Sachs, Kuhn Loeb, Lehman Brothers, J. & W. Seligman & Co. They would clash and collaborate with J. P. Morgan, E. H. Harriman, Jay Gould, and other famed tycoons of the era. And their firms would help to transform the United States from a debtor nation into a financial superpower, capitalizing American industry and underwriting some of the twentieth century’s quintessential companies, like General Motors, Macy’s, and Sears. Along the way, they would shape the destiny not just of American finance but of the millions of Eastern European Jews who spilled off steamships in New York Harbor in the early 1900s, including Daniel Schulman’s paternal grandparents. In The Money Kings, Schulman unspools a sweeping narrative that traces the interconnected origin stories of these financial dynasties. He chronicles their paths to Wall Street dominance, as they navigated the deeply antisemitic upper class of the Gilded Age, and the complexities of the Civil War, World War I, and the Zionist movement that tested both their burgeoning empires and their identities as Americans, Germans, and Jews.




From Far East to Asia Pacific


Book Description

The years 1900 to 1954 marked the transformation from an exotic, colonized "Far East" to a more autonomous, prominent "Asia Pacific". This anthology examines the grand strategies of great powers as they vied for influence and ultimately hegemony in the region. At the turn of the twentieth century, the main contestants included the venerable British Empire and the aspiring Japan and United States. The unwieldy leviathan of China, the European imperial holdings in Southeast Asia, and the expanses of the western Pacific emerged as battlegrounds in literal and geopolitical terms. Other less powerful nations, such as India, Burma, Australia, and French Indochina, also exercised agency in crafting grand strategies to further their interests and in their interactions with those great powers. Among the many factors affecting all nations invested in the Asia Pacific were such traditional elements as economics, military power, and diplomacy, as well as fluid traits like ideology, culture, and personality. The era saw the decline of British and European influence in the Asia Pacific, the rise and fall of Japanese imperialism, the emergence of American primacy, the ongoing struggle for independence in Southeast Asia, and China’s resurrection as a contender for hegemony. Great powers shifted and so too did their grand strategies.




States of Emergency


Book Description

What World War I meant for architecture and urbanism writ large More than one hundred years after the conclusion of the First World War, the edited collection States of Emergency. Architecture, Urbanism, and the First World War reassesses what that cataclysmic global conflict meant for architecture and urbanism from a human, social, economic, and cultural perspective. Chapters probe how underdevelopment and economic collapse manifested spatially, how military technologies were repurposed by civilians, and how cultures of education, care, and memory emerged from battle. The collection places an emphasis on the various states of emergency as experienced by combatants and civilians across five continents—from refugee camps to military installations, villages to capital cities—thus uncovering the role architecture played in mitigating and exacerbating the everyday tragedy of war.




The Cambridge History of Nationhood and Nationalism: Volume 2, Nationalism's Fields of Interaction


Book Description

This major new reference work with contributions from an international team of scholars provides a comprehensive account of ideas and practices of nationhood and nationalism from antiquity to the present. It considers both continuities and discontinuities, engaging critically and analytically with the scholarly literature in the field. In volume II, leading scholars in their fields explore the dynamics of nationhood and nationalism's interactions with a wide variety of cultural practices and social institutions – in addition to the phenomenon's crucial political dimensions. The relationships between imperialism and nationhood/nationalism and between major world religions and ethno-national identities are among the key themes explained and explored. The wide range of case studies from around the world brings a truly global, comparative perspective to a field whose study was long constrained by Eurocentric assumptions.




American Jewish Year Book 2019


Book Description

Part I of each volume will feature 5-7 major review chapters, including 2-3 long chapters reviewing topics of major concern to the American Jewish community written by top experts on each topic, review chapters on "National Affairs" and "Jewish Communal Affairs" and articles on the Jewish population of the United States and the World Jewish Population. Future major review chapters will include such topics as Jewish Education in America, American Jewish Philanthropy, Israel/Diaspora Relations, American Jewish Demography, American Jewish History, LGBT Issues in American Jewry, American Jews and National Elections, Orthodox Judaism in the US, Conservative Judaism in the US, Reform Judaism in the US, Jewish Involvement in the Labor Movement, Perspectives in American Jewish Sociology, Recent Trends in American Judaism, Impact of Feminism on American Jewish Life, American Jewish Museums, Anti-Semitism in America, and Inter-Religious Dialogue in America. Part II-V of each volume will continue the tradition of listing Jewish Federations, national Jewish organizations, Jewish periodicals, and obituaries. But to this list are added lists of Jewish Community Centers, Jewish Camps, Jewish Museums, Holocaust Museums, and Jewish honorees (both those honored through awards by Jewish organizations and by receiving honors, such as Presidential Medals of Freedom and Academy Awards, from the secular world). We expand the Year Book tradition of bringing academic research to the Jewish communal world by adding lists of academic journals, articles in academic journals on Jewish topics, Jewish websites, and books on American and Canadian Jews. Finally, we add a list of major events in the North American Jewish Community.




Mastering the Art of Asset Allocation : Comprehensive Approaches to Managing Risk and Optimizing Returns


Book Description

Gain new insights into why asset allocation works and learn advanced investing strategies You know that asset allocation requires much more than cookie-cutter analysis. You want precise, detailed techniques for analyzing and applying asset allocation principles. The high-level, applications-oriented Mastering the Art of Asset Allocation examines the inner working of numerous asset allocation strategies and covers everything from ways to determine the portfolio value of various asset classes to insights into changing patterns of investment returns and standard deviations in different time periods and market environments.




The Art of Investment


Book Description

Unlock the secrets to financial success with "The Art of Investment" by Morrall W. Gaines, a comprehensive guide that empowers readers to navigate the complexities of the investment world with confidence and savvy. Prepare to embark on a journey of wealth-building and financial independence as Gaines shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise in the realm of investment. Follow along as he demystifies the intricacies of stocks, bonds, real estate, and other investment vehicles, offering practical advice and actionable strategies for maximizing returns and minimizing risks. Delve into the themes of financial literacy, risk management, and long-term wealth accumulation as Gaines provides readers with the tools and insights they need to make informed investment decisions. Through clear explanations and real-world examples, he equips readers with the knowledge and skills to build a solid investment portfolio tailored to their unique goals and circumstances. Character analysis offers insight into the mindset and strategies of successful investors, from legendary financiers to everyday individuals who have achieved financial freedom through smart investing. Each example serves as a source of inspiration and guidance, demonstrating the power of disciplined investing and prudent decision-making. The overall tone of "The Art of Investment" is one of empowerment and optimism, as Gaines instills readers with the confidence and know-how to take control of their financial future. With its blend of practical advice and motivational insights, this book serves as a roadmap to financial success for investors of all backgrounds and experience levels. Critically acclaimed for its clarity, depth, and practicality, "The Art of Investment" has earned praise from readers and experts alike for its ability to demystify the investment process and empower readers to achieve their financial goals. Gaines's accessible writing style and wealth of knowledge make this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to build wealth and secure their financial future. Targeted towards readers with a desire to grow their wealth and achieve financial independence, "The Art of Investment" appeals to a diverse audience seeking actionable advice and proven strategies for success in the investment world. Whether you're a novice investor or a seasoned pro, this book offers something of value for everyone. As you immerse yourself in the pages of "The Art of Investment," prepare to be inspired, educated, and empowered to take control of your financial destiny. Let Gaines's wisdom and expertise guide you on a transformative journey towards financial freedom and prosperity. Don't miss your chance to unlock the secrets to financial success with "The Art of Investment." Grab your copy today and embark on a journey of wealth-building and financial empowerment that will change your life forever.




Understanding Market, Credit, and Operational Risk


Book Description

A step-by-step, real world guide to the use of Value at Risk (VaR) models, this text applies the VaR approach to the measurement of market risk, credit risk and operational risk. The book describes and critiques proprietary models, illustrating them with practical examples drawn from actual case studies. Explaining the logic behind the economics and statistics, this technically sophisticated yet intuitive text should be an essential resource for all readers operating in a world of risk. Applies the Value at Risk approach to market, credit, and operational risk measurement. Illustrates models with real-world case studies. Features coverage of BIS bank capital requirements.