This incredibly meticulous and well-researched book takes a look at the life of a man called Edmond Safra, a man who rose from family banking origins in Beirut to become one of the world's most respected and trusted bankers.
At only 15 years of age, Edmond's father entrusted him to go to Milan, one of the most relatively stable parts of the world at that point, in order to set up new banking and business ventures. Though so young, Edmond showed wisdom, courage, determination, and grit far beyond his years.
After the horrors of World War 2 and collapse of imperialism in the Middle East - though not without decisions whose ramifications are still being felt to this day - Edmond did what he could to help Jewish communities moving around or leaving the Middle East - particularly Syria and Lebanon - completely. Everywhere he went, he sought out community and helped people as much as he could while setting up lucrative, profitable, yet measured, business and banking institutions wherever he went. From Milan, to Switzerland, to Brazil, and New York, Edmond built up trust, respectability, and wisdom, as well as acquiring huge amounts of knowledge needed that came along with the quick evolution of global financial systems.
Despite Edmond reaching dizzying heights of success and wealth, he never forgot nor begrudged the responsibility to community instilled in him by his deep sense of faith. From personal gifts (such as paying friends' hospital bills) to institutional giving (demonstrated by the Safra Foundation to oversee the distribution of his wealth after his death) Safra showed both in life and death that wealth and success give one more opportunities to be generous and change countless lives.
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