Fifty years post-World War II, a determined group of Americans initiated a campaign to address the unresolved issue of Nazi-looted assets. Utilizing class-action lawsuits and economic sanctions, they confronted major corporations and governments for restitution amounting to billions. What started as a moral campaign evolved into a contentious struggle, sparking intense discussions on the complexities of financial compensation for the atrocities of the Holocaust and the ethical implications surrounding it.
This book explains how the world's markets became synchronised, how they formed a bubble, how they all managed to crash together and then rebound together, and what can be done to prevent another synchronised bust in future. From post-Depression regulation and the 1954 recovery from the Great Crash, through the innovations and mis-steps that led to the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, to the markets rally of 2009, this book details massive shifts in the way our money is invested, and in the global balance of economic power.
An extraordinary behind-the-scenes story of money, justice, and the fallout from the twentieth century's worst crime unfolds in April 1996 when a billionaire businessman approached Hillary Rodham Clinton at a political fund-raiser. Edgar Bronfman handed her an article about secretive Swiss banks, igniting a passionate fight for the forgotten fortunes of Nazi victims. With a call to her husband, Mrs. Clinton set in motion a series of events that offered hope to elderly war survivors. Backed by the White House, a group of Americans embarked on a journey to reclaim debts owed to Holocaust victims for over fifty years. Over five years, they confronted bankers, insurers, and industrial executives who profited from the war, armed with class-action lawsuits and threats of economic sanctions. What began as a moral crusade quickly escalated into a fierce global battle, raising painful questions about justice and restitution. The demands for billions in reparations sparked disputes over who should pay and who should benefit, with many Europeans dismissing the claims as blackmail. This compelling account reveals the Americans who navigated this tumultuous landscape and the Europeans who initially resisted but eventually sought to reconcile with the past. It captures the intense personalities, tactics, and moral dilemmas surrounding the struggle for compensation against the backdrop of one of history's darkest moments.
