Descendants of the original 23 Jewish families who arrived in New York in 1654, the Sephardic Jews began a tradition of wealth, pride & exclusiveness that continues to this day. Stephen Birmingham sheds light on this segment of Jewish society who viewed other Jews as peasants & ardently shunned all publicity. It's the story of over three centuries of power, achievement, scandal, folly, elegant lifestyles & sometimes flamboyant personalities--a story only Stephen Birmingham could tell with characteristic spellbinding skill.