Morgenthau: Power, Privilege, and the Rise of an American Dynasty

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Since their arrival in the United States from Germany in 1866, the Morgenthaus have played a pivotal role in American history, rising from loss to wealth and reaching the highest echelons of power. With exclusive access to family archives, journalist Andrew Meier chronicles their remarkable journey, detailing how they amassed wealth, advised presidents, shaped the New Deal, and condemned atrocities like the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust. The story begins with Lazarus, who came to New York to rebuild his fortune but died destitute. The family's resurgence began with Henry, a real estate mogul who encouraged Woodrow Wilson to run for president. The Morgenthaus would influence significant presidencies, with Henry's son, Henry Jr., serving as FDR's longest-serving aide and Treasury Secretary. Robert Morgenthau, a WWII hero, became New York City's longest-serving district attorney, tackling major legal cases, including the Mafia and the Central Park Five. As public servants and confidantes, the Morgenthaus propelled candidates into power while often witnessing the moral costs of political decisions. Their saga, long obscured, is both a family history and an American epic, reflecting the complexities and improbabilities of the nation itself.