This book would be of interest to those who :
*find economics interestng
*enjoy pre WWII history interesting
*are interested in learning new aspects to the rise of WWII
*learning about the US's little known tool they used against Germany - the US Treasury

I wouldn't call this a thriller like The Last Days of Night or fascinating insight into a little known historical figure like The Imitation Game, but it was interesting learning about how the US used so many ways to try to stop Hitler and the rise of the Nazi's. "Good guys" and "bad guys" aren't always clearly wearing white hats or black masks. And I learned a lot about economics which I still find somewhat interesting.

Every chapter begins with a quote and can't suggest enough that readers should pay attention to these gems!

"Price is what you pay. Value is what you get." - Warren Buffet
"When goods do not cross your borders, soldiers will." -Frederic Bastiat
"Teach a parrot the words 'supply' and 'demand' and you've got an economist." - Thomas Carlyle
"Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." - Warren Buffet
"I would never read a book...I don't want to say no book is ever worth reading, but I actually do believe something pretty close to that. I think, if you wrote a book...it should have been a six-paragraph blog post." - Sam Bankman-Fried

My thanks to Net Galley and Random House for an advanced copy of this e-book.

This book is an interesting mix of fact and fiction, spies and economics set in the US during WWII. I know nothing about economics so this perspective was new and mostly interesting. The author interviewed the main characters children, as he is mostly an unknown person, but his story is full of actual people and events.

This was very clever and interesting for a book. It was a historical concept I had not heard of before, but I felt the dialogue was a bit dry and some of the concepts were over my head in places.

According to the author's note, Wealth of Shadows is based on fact, populated with people who actually lived, but because of reconstruction of conversations and personal details, has decided to designate this as fiction. Because of this, although a bit stodgy in style at times, the story is compulsively readable and intriguing with a fine sense of time. Moore displays a knowledge of economic forces and the power they hold over world events. I was particularly taken by the choice of introductory quotes that preceded each section, quoting every recognizable name from Adam Smith to Warren Buffett.

I asked for this book because it was written by Graham Moore. I really didn’t know if I was up for yet another WWII book. What is with all of the WWII books right now? But I like the writer so I dove in. I liked the story of the war no one sees. The brains behind the war. There have been other stories told about the other side of war. The brain side. I was fascinated by the things people came up with to take down the enemy on a whole different field of battle. If you are getting a little burned out on war books but love a good nerdy, mathy plot, don’t’ pas this one by.

The Wealth of Shadows, by Graham Moore, is a historical thriller set during World War 2. This novel has an interesting spin on the typical war story by focusing on a different group of characters, the economists and lawyers, who attack the Nazis behind the scenes with weapons that aren’t guns and bombs. There is also an extended plan put into place that will establish a post-war world that economically allies countries in such a way that should prevent future wars.

What’s fascinating about his story is the inclusion of historical figures and events interspersed into the narrative. The author does something unique by clarifying the distinction between the fiction and non-fiction elements. Though it contains heavier, mathematically focused content at times, it’s a unique premise. The Wealth of Shadows wasn’t quite a bingeable and captivating as the author’s previous book, but it’s still an engaging and intriguing story. If you are a fan of historical novels, especially those with a suspenseful twist, this is a must read for you!

Graham Moore delivers a page-turning historical “spy” thriller based on the economic policy of the Treasury department at the start of WW II. Such an odd setting for a truly engaging read to delve into economics theory and the work done behind the scenes to tank the German economy before America was able to declare war. Moore provides a helpful breakdown in the epilogue of the fact vs fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for a digital copy of this book so I could provide an unbiased review.

Look, if you'd told me that one day I'd enjoy reading a book about the world economy leading up to and throughout WWII, I'd have told you that you were crazy. I would have been wrong because I LOVED it. This may be a work of fiction, but you'd never know it. Moore has woven history into this story in such a way that I found myself fact-checking, not because the history was inaccurate, but because it was SO accurate. I learned things I didn't know before (despite how many WWII docs I've watched or books I've read) and some of those things broke my heart, made me cry, made me laugh, or led me to research more about something to better understand it. The characters are academics, idealists, dreamers, outside-the-box thinkers, patriots, risk-takers, humanists... Remembering exact dialogue of the characters in the story are imagined takes real effort. The women in this story are not bystanders to history; they are an integral part of it, and I appreciate that more than anything from a WWII historical fiction story. My respect and love for this person as a writer has grown exponentially after reading this book (who knew that was even possible), and I have a looooong list of questions I hope I have the opportunity to ask this author.

I enjoyed The Holdout by Graham Moore and wanted to give his newest book a try. Tax attorney Ansel Luxford joins a secret team at the US Treasury to bring down the Nazis by crashing their economy.

Based on real events this historical fiction novel has an espionage twist. I really enjoy when I can learn about a part of history that's new to me and this novel delves into all the behind the scenes financial maneuvering that was going on starting in 1939. Ansel and his wife Angela, a secretary at the FBI, are a likeable pair and through their eyes we see the schemes and sacrifices that were needed to win the war.

There's an extensive author note at the end detailing chapter by chapter which parts of the story really happened and I was surprised by how much was in fact true. Give this book a try if you're looking to read a different take on World War II historical fiction or have wondered how Germany could take on England Russia and most of Europe.

Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

Graham Moore’s historical thriller, “The Wealth of Shadows,” brings to light the U.S. Treasury Department’s attempt to crash Germany’s economy, but still maintain America’s neutrality in the beginning of World War II . The story blends fact with fiction and although Moore’s plot is well researched and has a few interesting , historical characters like John Maynard Keynes, it fails to grab the reader’s attention because it lacks real drama. In addition, the discussions about currency exchange and other economic issues impede the flow of the book. Some readers of historical fiction may be inclined to read Wealth of Shadows because of the historical details .

The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore is a wonderful historical fiction mystery novel.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I originally thought I would.
The novel is very well researched and the writing is perfect.
A thoroughly enjoyable book which delivered in all plot related aspects and featured characters that I would welcome revisiting.
This was so well-written and interesting, and the story was so wonderfully complex
This is an atmospheric and richly detailed historical fiction. It's a terrific read for fans of the genre.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

A secret mission to beat the Nazis with economic war
If like many readers you are tired of books about WW II, rest assured; you have not read one like Wealth of Shadows. Wealth of Shadows opens in August, 1939, as young tax attorney Ansel Luxford on his way to work sees a group of pro-Nazis marching down the streets of the Twin Cities. Like most Americans, Luxford does not want to get involved in the European conflict, but he sees the growing threat and soon goes to Washington DC to work for the Treasury Department to try to bring down the Nazis by bringing down their economy instead of dropping bombs. He finds himself working with men like industrialist J P Morgan and economist John Maynard Keynes to try to change methods for international economic dealings, fighting an international war as important and as exciting as the one the Nazis are starting. As if the challenges of the main task were not enough, there is also the distinct possibility that there is a spy in their midst.
Graham Moore is an award-winning screenplay writer, so perhaps it is not surprising that he does an excellent job at creating scenes and displaying characters. Little touches like the occasional appearance of Ansel’s little daughter Angie enhance the overall believability of the setting. It was sad to see the antisemitism in the US even as they were opposing the Nazis and their rampant antisemitism.
Graham Moore writes gripping fiction with a bonus; there always seems to be an interesting topic I learn something about, in this case, economics and international finance in addition to history. Many standard elements we do not think about today like the World Bank or the concept of GNP were created during the period of the book. A crucial part of the book for me and probably for most readers was the highly informative Author’s Note at the end of the book that carefully informs the reader what elements were true and which were fictional. I felt I was probably learning a lot of history while reading the book, and the Author’s Note enabled me to distinguish fact from fiction. For example, protagonist Ansel Luxford was perhaps the only significant character that most readers would not have heard of, but he was real and indeed worked at the Treasury Department during WW II waging economic warfare that most people know little or nothing about to bring victory against the Nazis without losing lives.
In addition to the fine writing in the core of the book, Moore adds some delightful decorative details. How can you not like a book with chapter titles like “William Shakespeare vs. Adam Smith”, for example? Perhaps my favorite touch, though, were the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, such as the quote from Warren Buffett at the beginning of this same chapter, “No matter how great the talent or efforts, some things just take time. You can’t produce a baby in one month by getting nine women pregnant.”
Graham Moore’s many fans will be pleased to see that one of their favorites is living up to his previous work. Readers encountering him for the first time can feel equally pleased that there are more books by Moore out there for them to enjoy!
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House.

I’m almost certain that if I gave you the elevator pitch for Graham Moore’s Wealth of Shadows, you’d nod your head and say, “Huh. WOW. That sounds interesting.” Only to walk away and think, “LOL. No.”

Because my elevator pitch would be:

In 1939, the US Treasury forms a secret team of economists tasked with bringing down the Nazi war regime using…economics.

Then again, you might be someone like my wife, who doesn’t seek perpetual validation like I do and be honest and direct with your thoughts, like she was.

Quoth her: [laughing] “That sounds like it’s not my brand.”

It sounds like it’s not her brand. Or many peoples for that matter, which is my greatest fear with this book. As my elevator pitch matches the majority of descriptions I’ve seen about it. To be fair, that is…what it is. A secret team of economists tasked with bringing down the Nazi war regime using…economics. But it’s just…and you have to trust me on this…way more fun and riveting than that would have you believe.

A better vibe review is to say Wealth of Shadows is like The Big Short meets Indiana Jones.

No, there’s no epic fight scenes, or Nazi face-melting, or violence of any kind. There’s just a general Jonesy romp vibe to the book. Especially as our protagonist—Ansel Luxford, based on the real-life Ansel Luxford who was part of the very real-life team of economists charged with creating financial ruin in Hitler’s Germany—traverses the globe on his mission. Think those Indiana Jones travel montages with the maps and the planes: that’s what you’re getting in WOS.

Don’t get me wrong: there’s still a lot of economic theory and discussion, just like in The Big Short, and I’m glad I read this book instead of listened, as I know would have had to play scenes several times to understand what they were talking about. Nevertheless I just found it all so interesting—and I think you will, too.

It’s hard to imagine anyone could tell a new World War II story these days, but Moore has done it.

👁️👁️👁️👁️/5, Wealth of Shadows was a near miss for being a Certified Unputdownable™️, mostly due to some dragging near the end. Regardless, read this ASAP if you’re craving non-violent Nazi takedown, filled with political and international intrigue.

And just for the record, after I read my wife a draft of this review, she said, “You should probably read people your review and not that elevator pitch. I actually wanna read a non-violent Nazi takedown.”

And there you have it folks.

Graham Moore's The Wealth of Shadows is different, but in this case, different isn't enough.

What I liked:
- Originality. While it is historical fiction and all of the characters are real people, I will say I have never stumbled upon an "economic thriller" where John Maynard Keynes was one of the heavies.
- Education. I certainly feel like I understand the World Bank and the International Money Fund more than when I began.

What I didn't like:
- It's an economic thriller. This one is on me. I knew what I was getting into, but the book - while pitched like an espionage novel - is largely about economics. There is a lot - and I mean a LOT - of economic theory in the book. Of all the words you could choose to describe this book, "thriller" is certainly a word in the dictionary.
- There's no "thrill" in the thriller. Part of this, of course, is you know how the war ends.
- There's a massive plot hole. Chapter 58 is called "There's a Man in Sweden Who Has Access to a Boat." Part of the chapter is about finding a way to land a boat full of Jewish refugees in New York. The other part is about finding a way to pay a boat captain $50,000 to escort Jewish refugees to Lithuania without using American currency. Ansel Luxford, our protagonist, says "I'll handle it" and then...never handles it. He solves the New York issue but the Lithuania problem is never touched upon again. That's the last we hear of it. We have an entire chapter named after the problem and they don't solve it.
- The "twist". The twist isn't necessarily unexpected if you happened to look up the biographies of the characters since they are, again, real people. However, the "twist" in the book comes sort of out of nowhere and apropo of nothing. While it certainly happened in real life, it's one of those twists that doesn't really affect anything in the novel. It's also resolved within a page of it happening. The characters seem way more bothered and confused by what is ultimately a very in-character move by one of the characters. Without the twist, the novel would have been the exact same.
- Time jump. It's a book about World War II. They time jump the war.

Verdict:
It's different, but it's honestly slow and boring. I don't recommend it.

Wow, anyone who thinks the US Treasury is just there to print money needs to read this book. The Wealth of Shadows is primarily the story of how US Treasury agents tried to stop Nazi Germany by tanking their economy. There are lots of philosophical and explanatory economics sections made somewhat easy to read and understand. But mainly, this is an action thriller, based on actual events and people. Back channel deals, sleuthing, political and legal skullduggery, all culminated in clever plans to stop the Nazis and help the Allied War effort - particularly while America was publicly neutral before they entered the war in 1941. It goes on to show the how and the why the World Bank and IMF was created. Another fascinating work by Graham Moore. I particularly liked the Author's Notes explaining fact vs fiction of certain events. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the e-arc. 4 1/2 stars!

This is a different kind of spy thriller because it is grounded in economics theory and based on real people. As conditions deteriorated in Germany in 1939, Midwestern accountant Ansel Luxford and his wife became increasingly concerned about the inhumanity espoused by Hitler and the Nazis. Because of his brilliant economic clairvoyance, Ansel came to the attention of Harry Dexter White, who was charged with establishing a secret group to analyzed Germany's strategy and the US response. Of course, all was not what it seemed, and although we know the eventual path of the war, this novel provides a glimpse behind the scenes. Each chapter is introduced by a tidbit of economic theory from various points of view, and these were very informative and not tedious at all. In a way, this book reads like nonfiction, but the author has portrayed characters who are complex and interesting, with a background that is both intricate and suspenseful. Readers will be inspired to seek out more information about the people in this book.

The subject of economics is usually enough to send me running far away as fast as I can. Probably because it has always been such a difficult subject to understand, for me, that is. But, Mr. Moore managed to do what college professors could not. He made the topic interesting. He made it understandable. And while doing so, he wrote one terrific spy novel!

I love historical novels. I especially love the ones in which you can't tell the fact from the fiction. And again Mr. Moore excelled! Knowing all these characters really lived and did the heroic, or in some cases, dastardly things they did, makes for one delicious read. And all was done to stop the Nazis from taking over the world, and possibly prevent another world war from happening again. Would it be a spoiler to tell that the good guys won? I think not. But this is one book that needs to be read.

Thank you to Random House for my advance electronic version via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

I absolutely agree with those who point out the similarities between The Imitation Game and this story. The twists, turns, shadowy games, hidden alliances, and betrayals are dark but nonetheless based on a true economic war carried out against the Nazis and their allies during World War II. Before Germany's declaring war on the US, those in the US Government who saw Nazis as a threat had to carry out their machinations and attacks covertly. I didn't know anything about this clandestine US Treasury project and Moore's writing was both absorbing and educational. I appreciate how he didn't shy away from the difficult ethical questions posited within, and how he highlighted the moral grayness of both this economic war and the one in which people fought and died. This was a fascinating and illuminating book which I will recommend on its own merits alone.

I never dreamt that economic warfare could be so enthralling.
Ansel Luxford has a talent for gleaning stories from economic data, and in 1939 he left his job as an attorney to work for the US Treasury. Ansel's new job involves waging secret economic war with Germany, since America's formal policy was one of neutrality. But in addition to winning the war, the Allies have to win the peace so that there is not a WWIII. Therefore, the World Bank and the IMF were established to make future wars economically difficult.
This book is historical fiction, and read like a novel, but most of the events actually happened.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I went into it expecting that some of the economic discussions would be too in depth and slow down the narrative but the author did an amazing job of keeping the plot flowing while imparting a wealth of information. This is historical fiction where the characters are fully developed and really come alive on the page. I appreciate that the author took the time to separate fact from fiction in the Afterward. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced reader copy.