Nathan Straus
From Macy's Magnate to International Humanitarian
Will be published approx. on 14. April 2026
Book
Hardback
354 pages
978-1-9788-4347-9 (ISBN)
Description
Nathan Straus encompassed worlds. A dynamo animated at once by Jewish values and no-nonsense pragmatism, he achieved in several realms. He rose from his German-Jewish-immigrant family's ruin in Civil-War Georgia to become co-owner of Macy's and Abraham & Straus. He helped build American Zionism and co-founded the American Jewish Congress movement. His public service led to a nomination for New York City mayor.
The first complete biography of Straus, Nathan Straus: Macy's Magnate, Hero of Public Health tells the story of Straus' rise, his robust philanthropic initiatives in the Progressive Era, and his later years in the Zionist movement. Beginning in New York City, his campaign for pasteurized infant milk expanded across and beyond America. He founded America's first TB preventorium for at-risk children: a model for the forty-five more that followed. He brought American public-health innovations to Mandate Palestine. And, he provided massive relief for jobless New Yorkers in the 1890s depression. In all, his humanitarianism won the acclaim of many American presidents and world leaders and something more: the gratitude of millions.
The first complete biography of Straus, Nathan Straus: Macy's Magnate, Hero of Public Health tells the story of Straus' rise, his robust philanthropic initiatives in the Progressive Era, and his later years in the Zionist movement. Beginning in New York City, his campaign for pasteurized infant milk expanded across and beyond America. He founded America's first TB preventorium for at-risk children: a model for the forty-five more that followed. He brought American public-health innovations to Mandate Palestine. And, he provided massive relief for jobless New Yorkers in the 1890s depression. In all, his humanitarianism won the acclaim of many American presidents and world leaders and something more: the gratitude of millions.
Reviews / Votes
"At last, a full-length biography of one of the greatest Jewish philanthropists that history forgot. Nathan Straus' contribution to public health-especially by championing pasteurized milk for children-saved countless lives in the U.S. and Palestine and demonstrated how strategic philanthropy can improve the world. Brimming with lessons for our time." - Jonathan D. Sarna, author of Amer-i-can Ju-daism: A His-to-ry"A compelling and highly engaging story of a largely forgotten philanthropist and entrepreneur whose efforts helped shape the twentieth century, this book fills gaps in diverse historical subfields such as medicine, economics, childhood, and religion. This inspiring story is a must-read for anyone interested in philanthropic innovation." - Cynthia Connolly, professor emerita, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
"Finally, Nathan Straus receives his due. His life would have merited a biography, like this excellent one by Andrew Fisher, even if not for his transformative involvement in growing the nation's public health system, but this book offers a fine way to see that as well as the fuller breadth of his public service." - Hasia R. Diner, professor emerita, New York University
"Finally, we have a comprehensive biography of Nathan Straus that does the great man justice. Fisher has crafted a scholarly, deeply referenced, and eminently readable book that tells the story of the legendary Straus family. Highly recommended to readers of Jewish history, philanthropy, commerce, politics, and public health." - Jeff Levin, author of Religion and Medicine: A History of the Encounter Between Humanity's Two Greatest Institutions
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Brunswick NJ
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
With printed dust jacket
Illustrations
1 color and 31 B-W images
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 162 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
734 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-9788-4347-9 (9781978843479)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Andrew Fisher, an independent scholar, is the retired founding executive director of the Lavelle Fund for the Blind. He has thirty-five years of experience in New York City philanthropic organizations and is a winner of Helen Keller International's Humanitarian Award. He is based in New Jersey.
Content
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One: From Bavaria to Georgia
Chapter Two: Retailing in Gilded-Age New York
Chapter Three: The Public Man
Chapter Four: The Private Man
Chapter Five: "Pasteurization Is Positive Prevention"
Chapter Six: From Philanthropy to Public Policy
Chapter Seven: European Prevention and Relief
Chapter Eight: Saving Tenement Children from TB
Chapter Nine: A Family in Transition
Chapter Ten: Dreaming of Zion
Chapter Eleven: Uplifting Palestine
Chapter Twelve: Legacies
A Note on Sources
Acknowledgements
Index
Prologue
Chapter One: From Bavaria to Georgia
Chapter Two: Retailing in Gilded-Age New York
Chapter Three: The Public Man
Chapter Four: The Private Man
Chapter Five: "Pasteurization Is Positive Prevention"
Chapter Six: From Philanthropy to Public Policy
Chapter Seven: European Prevention and Relief
Chapter Eight: Saving Tenement Children from TB
Chapter Nine: A Family in Transition
Chapter Ten: Dreaming of Zion
Chapter Eleven: Uplifting Palestine
Chapter Twelve: Legacies
A Note on Sources
Acknowledgements
Index