Morgan Group

Author: Ron Chernow
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: Based on extensive interviews and newly opened family and business archives, this is a meticulous and in-depth work that faithfully records the secret relationships between Morgan and Mussolini, Japanese militarists, Mexican dictators, and the Nazi Treasury Minister. The book also reveals how Morgan's companies transformed from paragons of gentlemanly conduct into pioneers of hostile takeovers, junk bonds, and leveraged buyouts in the aggressive new world after World War II. The latter part follows the footsteps of J.P. Morgan into Japan, France, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil, depicting the interactions between Morgan's companies and many prominent figures, including Henry Ford, Rupert Murdoch, Adnan Khashoggi, and Paul Volcker. The House of Morgan tells the compelling story of an unusual institution and its leaders, providing an incisive examination of the real power hidden behind historical events, famous politicians, and the numerous industrial empires that have shaped the world over the past century and a half—money. The House of Morgan narrates the history of banking and finance over 150 years, encompassing the booms and panics of Wall Street and the London financial district, offering a thorough and engaging account of the rise of the modern financial world. The House of Morgan won the 1990 U.S. National Book Award and may be the most comprehensive epic to date on the history of the American banking dynasty. Like its bestseller Ford and Rockefeller, it presents an epic and grand narrative, tracing the history of the J.P. Morgan empire from its quiet beginnings in London during the Victorian era to the stock market crash of 1987. This book is a rich panoramic view of history, describing four generations of Morgans and the powerful yet secretive companies they created—J.P. Morgan & Co. (Morgan Guaranty Trust), Morgan Stanley, and Morgan Keegan.