Wealth of an Empire

The Treasure Shipments that Saved Britain and the World

Business & Finance, Economics, Economic History
Cover of the book Wealth of an Empire by Robert Switky, Potomac Books Inc.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Robert Switky ISBN: 9781612344973
Publisher: Potomac Books Inc. Publication: September 30, 2013
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Robert Switky
ISBN: 9781612344973
Publisher: Potomac Books Inc.
Publication: September 30, 2013
Imprint:
Language: English

Wealth of an Empire tells the dramatic true story of a top-secret mission that changed the course of World War II: Great BritainÆs shipment of virtually its entire treasury across the treacherous waters of the North Atlantic to safety in the United States and Canada. Had the Germans captured or sunk the treasure-laden ships, the war could have been lost more than eighteen months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The British government authorized this immensely risky and long-running operation not only because of the obvious danger that GermanyÆs rising militancy posed but also because of the isolationist sentiment that permeated both American society and Congress. AmericaÆs refusal to sell arms and other goods without payment up front left Britain little choice but to mount this daring operation.

Only a few banking, political, and military leaders were responsible for the complicated logistical and security procedures that were designed to safeguard the transfer of both gold and financial securities to North America. Although the special shipments were initially of relatively modest value, the strategic imperative changed dramatically when Germany threatened to invade Britain in the summer of 1940. Fearing that BritainÆs wealth might fall into German hands, in an audacious yet visionary decision newly installed prime minister Winston Churchill authorized the evacuation of nearly all of BritainÆs liquid assets.

Wealth of an Empire uses previously unused and unavailable original documentsùincluding those from the British National Archives, the Bank of EnglandÆs archives, the Imperial War Museum, and the Bank of CanadaÆs archivesùto shed new light on this underexplored aspect of BritainÆs wartime history.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Wealth of an Empire tells the dramatic true story of a top-secret mission that changed the course of World War II: Great BritainÆs shipment of virtually its entire treasury across the treacherous waters of the North Atlantic to safety in the United States and Canada. Had the Germans captured or sunk the treasure-laden ships, the war could have been lost more than eighteen months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The British government authorized this immensely risky and long-running operation not only because of the obvious danger that GermanyÆs rising militancy posed but also because of the isolationist sentiment that permeated both American society and Congress. AmericaÆs refusal to sell arms and other goods without payment up front left Britain little choice but to mount this daring operation.

Only a few banking, political, and military leaders were responsible for the complicated logistical and security procedures that were designed to safeguard the transfer of both gold and financial securities to North America. Although the special shipments were initially of relatively modest value, the strategic imperative changed dramatically when Germany threatened to invade Britain in the summer of 1940. Fearing that BritainÆs wealth might fall into German hands, in an audacious yet visionary decision newly installed prime minister Winston Churchill authorized the evacuation of nearly all of BritainÆs liquid assets.

Wealth of an Empire uses previously unused and unavailable original documentsùincluding those from the British National Archives, the Bank of EnglandÆs archives, the Imperial War Museum, and the Bank of CanadaÆs archivesùto shed new light on this underexplored aspect of BritainÆs wartime history.

More books from Potomac Books Inc.

Cover of the book Crisis and Crossfire by Robert Switky
Cover of the book Pirate Hunting: The Fight Against Pirates, Privateers, and Sea Raiders from Antiquity to the Present by Robert Switky
Cover of the book Soldiering by Robert Switky
Cover of the book The Flying Greek: An Immigrant Fighter Ace's WWII Odyssey with the RAF, USAAF, and French Resistance by Robert Switky
Cover of the book Reinventing Philanthropy by Robert Switky
Cover of the book From Pusan to Panmunjom by Robert Switky
Cover of the book Winnie Davis by Robert Switky
Cover of the book Modern Warfare in Spain by Robert Switky
Cover of the book Leading at the Speed of Light by Robert Switky
Cover of the book Gatekeeper by Robert Switky
Cover of the book War, Welfare & Democracy by Robert Switky
Cover of the book God Willing: My Wild Ride with the New Iraqi Army by Robert Switky
Cover of the book Father of Money: Buying Peace in Baghdad by Robert Switky
Cover of the book 100 Missions North by Robert Switky
Cover of the book Etched in Purple by Robert Switky
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy