This is the first biography of the man who, as J.P. Morgan's CEO and the leading banker of his generation, helped establish U.S. economic policy through his broad-reaching financial, political and social connections. Edward Lamont offers fresh insight into the turbulent period between the two world wars through this fascinating account of the life of the most influential banker of his era.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Lamont utilizes family papers and business records to fashion an involving biography of his grandfather. A minister's son and graduate of Harvard, Thomas Lamont (1870-1948) was a journalist and marketing executive before he captured the attention of prominent business leaders and entered the banking industry. Working closely with J. P. Morgan senior, Lamont honed his financial skills handling knotty transactions in America, Mexico, Europe and Japan. He played a prominent role during the 1919 economic conference at Versailles and Allied bond drives in both world wars. The impressive roster of historical personages who figure on these pages testifies to Lamont's wide influence. This comprehensive, well-documented work thoroughly explores the major economic, political and social events shaping the country during the first half of this century.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
The story of Thomas W. Lamont (1870-1948), a banker with the Wall Street firm of J.P. Morgan for almost a half-century, is here told by his grandson. Lamont was a true gentleman who worked largely behind the scenes, whether raising money on Wall Street or negotiating peace in the diplomatic arena. It is to his credit that he was cultivated by U.S. presidents (Hoover and FDR); he enjoyed the good life, and knew "everyone worth knowing." Despite his financial shrewdness, however, he did not anticipate the market crash of 1929. He was also an apologist for the early regime of Mussolini and imperial China prior to World War II. Given the author's familial connection to his subject, one wonders whether Lamont gets off lightly; since most of the book's research is anecdotal (no footnotes are provided), the question lingers. For a more comprehensive treatment of the same period, see Ron Chernow's The House of Morgan ( LJ 2/1/90).
- Richard Drezen, Merrill Lynch Lib., New York
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Richard Drezen, Merrill Lynch Lib., New York
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A First Rate Picture of a Great Banker,
By F. W. Murray (Cold Spring Harbor, NY USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ambassador from Wall Street: The Story of Thomas W. Lamont, J.P. Morgan's Chief Executive (Hardcover)
The Ambassador From Wall Street is a fasciating tale of one of the great financial leaders of the 20th Century. As a retired New York banker who started work in 1950 and who held some quite responsible positions, I found the book contained messages for bankers that are as true today as they were in the life of Mr. Lamont, particularly on how to avoid undue risk and how to manage the inevitable messes when they occur. The book seems to have been well researched by the arthor, a Grandson of the subject,and takes us through the many economic and financial developments of the first half of the twentieth century. Its scope allows the reader to have a broad view of the financial world, a useful benefit in this age of globalization. I particularly recommend the book to young students of finance. The lessons learned will enhance their careers.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Ambassador from Wall Street,
By Alethea W. Hawley (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ambassador from Wall Street: The Story of Thomas W. Lamont, J.P. Morgan's Chief Executive (Hardcover)
This biography of Thomas W. Lamont, J.P. Morgan's Chief Executive is a thoroughly researched account of the legendary financier during the first half of the twentieth century, when the powerful banking firm was at the pinnacle of international finance. The author, his grandson has written this lively biography based on his independent research and his personal collection of family papers and Thomas Lamont's letters.The reader will become acquainted with the economic and political history of the period, the many crucial world events that were transpiring, as well as a full roster of leaders such as Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Wilson and Hoover, who all sought advice from Lamont. Along with all of the above, the author portrays the luxurious lifestyle of his grandfather, such as commuting from his home to Wall Street by yacht. There are social vignettes such as a house party at Lady Astor's Cliveden, as well as a Lamont soiree during which a Federal judge broke the nose of Walter Lippman's charming wife. The reader is also given glimpses of such luminaries as Charles Lindbergh and H.G. Wells, who were among Thomas Lamont's close friends. John Kenneth Galbraith praised this volume and characterized it as "affectionate and well researched...We are in debt to Edward Lamont for this literate and thoroughly interesting biography." Book List and Publishers Weekly contributed highly enthusiastic reviews, and recommended it for those interested in history, banking and foreign affairs. Written in a brisk and informative style, Lamont interjects his wit at just the right places so as to present a very balanced, straight forward, and informative piece of work.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Penetrating and lively study.,
This review is from: Ambassador from Wall Street: The Story of Thomas W. Lamont, J.P. Morgan's Chief Executive (Hardcover)
This is a fresh and thoughtful review of an important period in American history with up-close portraits of some its most fascinating personalities--Charles Lindbergh and Lady Astor among others. LAURA and BILL RILEY
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