Chasing Gold - Softcover

Taber, George M

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1605989754 ISBN 13: 9781605989754

Publisher: Pegasus Books, 2016

Synopsis

From the bestselling author of Judgment of Paris comes the story of the integral role that gold played in World War II, from its influence on the Nazi war machine to the ultimate triumph by the Allies and the fall of Berlin.

 

A USA Today "New and Notable" Book

For the entire history of human civilization, gold has enraptured people around the globe. The Nazis was no less enthralled by it, and felt that gold was the solution to funding Hitler's war machine. Gold was also on the mind of FDR across the Atlantic, as he worked with Europe's other leaders to bring the United States and the rest of the world out of a severe depression. FDR was hardly the first head of state to turn to gold in difficult times. Throughout history, it has been the refuge of both nations and people in trouble, working at times when nothing else does. Desperate people can buy a loaf of bread or bribe a border guard. Gold can get desperate nations oil to keep tanks running or munitions to fight a war. If the price is right, there is always someone somewhere willing to buy or sell gold. And it was to become the Nazi's most important medium of exchange during the war.

Chasing Gold is the story of how the Nazis attempted to grab Europe’s gold to finance history’s bloodiest war. It is filled with high drama and close escapes, laying bare the palate of human emotions. Walking through the tale are giants of world history, as well as ordinary people called upon to undertake heroic action in an extraordinary time.

8 pages of B&W photographs

About this title

About the Author:

George M. Taber is the author of the bestselling Judgment of Paris, which recounts the story of the famous 1976 event when unknown California wines defeated top French ones. Taber's second book, To Cork or Not to Cork, won the Jane Grigson Award and was a finalist for the James Beard Award. Before turning to writing books, Taber was a reporter and editor with TIME magazine for twenty-one years, based in Bonn, Paris, Houston, and New York.

Review:

“A meticulously researched and tensely dramatic account of the movements of gold just before and during the conflict ― a story full of ruthless plunder, desperate maneuvers and narrow escapes.”
- The Huffington Post

“Rarely can a story about central bankers, bullion holdings and maritime shipping be described as thrilling. Nazis, of course, tend to liven things up. But outrunning the Nazis was only the first obstacle. Chasing Gold glitters with an engaging narrative.”
- Shelf Awareness

“An absorbing examination of an important and rarely covered episode in WWII.”
- Booklist

“A crisp, well-documented history. A chilling tale vividly told.”
- Kirkus Reviews

“If a crazed ideology motivated the Nazis in their drive for European hegemony, gold was the instrument that Hitler needed to make his dreams a reality. Independent scholar Taber (In Search of Bacchus) provides a detailed account of the German economists―some committed Nazis, and others merely technocrats―who helped Hitler obtain the reserves he needed. Relates the account of World War II from the perspective of gold, something that will attract a variety of readers.”
- Library Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: Pegasus Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1605989754
• ISBN 13: 9781605989754
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 500