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Great Lives from History

The Incredibly Wealthy
by Howard Bromberg
Great Lives from History: The Incredibly Wealthy. 3 vols. Salem. (Great Lives from History). 2011. 1056p. ed. by Howard Bromberg. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781587656644. $395. Online: Salem History Online REF
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Part of the Salem Press "Great Lives from History" series, this three-volume set briefly reviews the lives of the well-heeled from early civilization (Croesus) to modern times (J.K. Rowling), including many who are well known (Bill Gates and Opera Winfrey) and others not (Aaron of Lincoln). Ranging from one and a half to four pages, 446 alphabetical entries present a brief synopsis of a person's life. In addition to brief biographical information (birth, death, location, and source of wealth and its bequeathal), each entry covers three main segments of the subject's life: childhood (if known), initial ventures and wealth acquisition, and the maturity of their accumulations. A final "Legacy" paragraph explores how their wealth was used and how it affected others. Major life events, social environment analysis, and additional endeavors are featured in occasional sidebars. A further reading list provides other sources for information at each entry's conclusion. Finding guides by industry and by country of origin also serve as useful access points. While some differences in writing style are noticeable, the 128 authors (mostly academics) hew to an objective editorial perspective; this appears to be editor Bromberg's (legal practice program, Univ. of Michigan) first book. BOTTOM LINE Compared to a who's who-type title, this set doesn't have the breadth of coverage but provides more useful background on each profile. Patrons looking for background on the megawealthy should find it a useful starting place. Possibly of interest to public libraries but most likely to appear on academic library shelves. Buy it if your budget permits. [Salem offers free access via its History Online platform with purchase of the print.—Ed.]—James Langan, Univ. of Pittsburgh, Johnstown
Gr 9 Up—Discussing 445 people from around the world and through the ages, these two- to four-page profiles include birth and death dates, nationality, occupation, "sources of wealth," and "bequeathal of wealth." Next, a narrative recounts the subject's early life, with a focus on the accumulation, use, impact, and final distribution of the person's wealth. At times the succinct information in the lists doesn't quite match the text. For Bill Gates, "sources of wealth" are recorded as "Inheritance; computer industry," but there is no further mention of an inheritance. Gates's "bequeathal of wealth" lists "Spouse, charity" and fails to include his children even though the narrative reveals that each will receive a $10 million inheritance. While most individuals included are significant, there are a few, such as the Ninth Duke of Bedford, whose inclusion seem pointless. Modern-day tie-ins are mentioned when appropriate, as in the case of oil magnate Edward Doheny, whose life indirectly provided the basis for the 2007 film, There Will Be Blood. Black-and-white photos and sidebars flesh out the subjects and illuminate the ability of the wealthy to shape society. Easy online access to the full text of the set, through the Salem History database, is included with purchase.—Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA
Reviewed by Patricia N. McClune , May 01, 2011
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