Frenzied Liberty; The Myth of "A Rich Man's War"

"Frenzied Liberty; The Myth of 'A Rich Man's War'" by Otto H. Kahn is a historical account written during the early 20th century, specifically amid World War I. This work discusses patriotic views on the war and addresses the misconceptions surrounding the motivations behind America's involvement, particularly the idea that big business orchestrated the war for profit. Kahn articulates a philosophy of individualism tempered by social responsibility, critiquing the rise of radical movements and advocating for unity and order in America during a tumultuous time. In this book, Kahn delivers a passionate argument against the narrative that the war was merely a "rich man's war" burdening the poor with the fight. He asserts that American involvement in the war was a necessary action against tyranny and emphasizes the sacrifices of all citizens, regardless of their economic standing. Throughout, he dissects propaganda, arguing that business interests would actually suffer as a result of the war, and champions the need for solidarity against the threats posed by extremist ideologies. Kahn calls for a measured response to societal issues post-war, urging for national unity and a balanced approach to public welfare, even in the face of challenges to the American ethos of individual opportunity. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Otto Hermann Kahn was an American investment banker, collector, philanthropist, and patron of the arts. Kahn was a well-known figure, appearing on the cover of Time magazine and was sometimes referred to as the "King of New York". In business, he was best known as a partner at Kuhn, Loeb & Co. who reorganized and consolidated railroads. In his personal life, he was a great patron of the arts, where among things, he served as the chairman of the Metropolitan Opera.