The victim's fortune

An extraordinary behind-the-scenes story of money, justice, and the fallout from the twentieth century's worst crime unfolds in April 1996 when a billionaire businessman approached Hillary Rodham Clinton at a political fund-raiser. Edgar Bronfman handed her an article about secretive Swiss banks, igniting a passionate fight for the forgotten fortunes of Nazi victims. With a call to her husband, Mrs. Clinton set in motion a series of events that offered hope to elderly war survivors. Backed by the White House, a group of Americans embarked on a journey to reclaim debts owed to Holocaust victims for over fifty years. Over five years, they confronted bankers, insurers, and industrial executives who profited from the war, armed with class-action lawsuits and threats of economic sanctions. What began as a moral crusade quickly escalated into a fierce global battle, raising painful questions about justice and restitution. The demands for billions in reparations sparked disputes over who should pay and who should benefit, with many Europeans dismissing the claims as blackmail. This compelling account reveals the Americans who navigated this tumultuous landscape and the Europeans who initially resisted but eventually sought to reconcile with the past. It captures the intense personalities, tactics, and moral dilemmas surrounding the struggle for compensation against the backdrop of one of history's darkest moments.