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The Influence of Soros: Politics, Power, and the Struggle for Open Society
A seasoned journalist probes one of the right-wing’s favorite targets, Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist George Soros, to explore the genesis of his influence and the truth of the conspiracies that surround him.
For years, hedge fund tycoon George Soros has been demonized by GOP politicians, fringe outlets, and right-wing media personalities, who claim Soros often manipulates the global economy and masterminds the radical left. He has been accused of using his billions to foment violence, support “white genocide,” and pay migrants to seek asylum in the United States. Right-wing media personalities have described him as working to hijack our democracy and undermine sovereignty. Left-leaning outlets, meanwhile, have suggested that his philanthropy is a distraction from the economic misery he himself has made.
But who is George Soros? How did he make his money? What causes does he actually support? How did this billionaire become the right’s favorite target—used by elected officials sympathetic to the idea that their country’s opposition can be blamed on one man in the endless messaging war? How much of the hatred is driven by rising antisemitism?
Though his name appears often in the media, most people know little about Soros. Weaving biography, cultural commentary, and investigative reporting, Emily Tamkin brings into focus the man and his myth to examine how much influence he actually has on politics. Is Soros simply a left-wing version of the Koch brothers? Or is he genuinely trying to make the world a better place?
The Influence of Soros offers an understanding of the man and his money, his contributions and donations, and his true sway over our politics, elections, and our societies. Ultimately, Tamkin asks, can a truly open society exist if any one man can have the kind of power Soros wields?
For years, hedge fund tycoon George Soros has been demonized by GOP politicians, fringe outlets, and right-wing media personalities, who claim Soros often manipulates the global economy and masterminds the radical left. He has been accused of using his billions to foment violence, support “white genocide,” and pay migrants to seek asylum in the United States. Right-wing media personalities have described him as working to hijack our democracy and undermine sovereignty. Left-leaning outlets, meanwhile, have suggested that his philanthropy is a distraction from the economic misery he himself has made.
But who is George Soros? How did he make his money? What causes does he actually support? How did this billionaire become the right’s favorite target—used by elected officials sympathetic to the idea that their country’s opposition can be blamed on one man in the endless messaging war? How much of the hatred is driven by rising antisemitism?
Though his name appears often in the media, most people know little about Soros. Weaving biography, cultural commentary, and investigative reporting, Emily Tamkin brings into focus the man and his myth to examine how much influence he actually has on politics. Is Soros simply a left-wing version of the Koch brothers? Or is he genuinely trying to make the world a better place?
The Influence of Soros offers an understanding of the man and his money, his contributions and donations, and his true sway over our politics, elections, and our societies. Ultimately, Tamkin asks, can a truly open society exist if any one man can have the kind of power Soros wields?
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2020
67 people are currently reading
371 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 28, 2020
I was interested in learning more about Sorus. I wanted to find out why all these men who are taking their countries from a democracy to a dictatorship hate him. Hungary, Poland, Turkey to name a few of these countries. The rise of anti-Semitism particularly aimed at him I found most disturbing. And, I was concerned about the tirades aimed a Sorus from Trump. There are all types of conspiracy theories about Sorus and I needed to find out why. This book is one of many I will read in my quest for answers.
The book is well written and researched. It is not a biography but an inquiry into his influence in the world. George Soros (1930--) is a Hungarian born Jew. After surviving the holocaust his family went to England where he graduated from the London School of Economics. He went on to become a multi-billionaire. He has spent his life fighting totalitarian powers. He has created the Open Society Initiative. He has spent billions working for justice, democratic governance and human rights. His main goal is to remember the holocaust and the promise of Never Again. I found the section on his work during the war in Serbia, Bosnia, etc. most interesting. One can debate whether society should have people with such extreme wealth and power but that is a different book discussion. I highly recommend this book particular in light of the world we live in.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is seven hours and fifty-seven minutes. Jamie Renell does an excellent job narrating the book.
The book is well written and researched. It is not a biography but an inquiry into his influence in the world. George Soros (1930--) is a Hungarian born Jew. After surviving the holocaust his family went to England where he graduated from the London School of Economics. He went on to become a multi-billionaire. He has spent his life fighting totalitarian powers. He has created the Open Society Initiative. He has spent billions working for justice, democratic governance and human rights. His main goal is to remember the holocaust and the promise of Never Again. I found the section on his work during the war in Serbia, Bosnia, etc. most interesting. One can debate whether society should have people with such extreme wealth and power but that is a different book discussion. I highly recommend this book particular in light of the world we live in.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is seven hours and fifty-seven minutes. Jamie Renell does an excellent job narrating the book.
July 6, 2020
Summary: More than a biography, an exploration of George Soros' origins, how he made his money, and the motives behind his use of it in his Open Society Foundation, and the resulting contradictions.
If one were to believe some of my conservative friends, George Soros is the devil incarnate, masterminding a left wing plot for world domination and the undoing of American and global institutions, whether through currency markets or through an invasion of immigrants. I've found myself wondering, who is this figure--a noble capitalist, or the devil incarnate, or someone else. The chance to read Emily Tamkin's investigative reporting on the life of Soros offered a chance to dig a bit deeper.
What Tamkin does in this book is draw the profile of a man of noble aspirations caught in the dissonance between how he acquires and wields his wealth, and the causes he supports through it. She describes his rise from a holocaust survivor from Budapest Hungary, a Jew whose lawyer father secured for the family and a number in their circles false identity documents that allowed them to pass as Christians. Some conspiracy theories have them betraying others, but the truth appears simpler, they did what they had to to survive, helping some others along the way. After the war, Soros goes to the London School of Economics, where he encountered the work of Karl Popper including Open Society and Its Enemies. Not only does Popper draw parallels between communism and fascism, but he argues that since nothing can be known with certainty, the best society is one open to diversity, allowing a striving toward understanding. These ideas are crucial to understanding Soros.
Tamkin traces Soros rise in the financial world of international arbitrage, the buying and selling of securities in different markets, making profits off of price differences. After working for other investment firms, he finally set up his own firm, the Soros Fund, later Quantum. He made, lost, and made more money, even breaking the British bank at one point, as well as the currencies of several other countries.
That was until 1979, when he set up the Open Society Fund. His first efforts toward his vision of open society was scholarships for black South Africans. He then turned to dissident movements in Eastern Europe, including his native Hungary, supporting Viktor Orban, who later became opposed Soros efforts when he came to power. Eventually, he established Central Europe University in Budapest, attracting scholars from throughout the world--his vision of open society in microcosm. In subsequent years, his attention would turn to the Balkans, later to Baltimore, where he funded approaches to addiction focused around harm reduction rather than incarceration. In 2004, he turned to elections, funding the opposition to George W. Bush in his concerns about the Iraq invasion and the suspensions of civil liberties in the Patriot Act. He also intervened with funding in the elections in the Republic of Georgia.
Perhaps here was where the narrative of George Soros as the arch-nemesis funding a liberal, far left conspiracy gained traction. While Tamkin dismisses the conspiratorial elements, she highlights to dissonance between Soros use of monetary manipulations and his wielding of vast wealth with the idea of an "open society" where all, and not just the wealthy get to play. He would argue that his own efforts gave lots of operating room to the NGO's he funded to determine their own best course. He was not the mastermind pulling all the strings. Tamkin notes that this is the inherent conflict of wielding of wealth, whether done by Soros, or the Koch brothers, or Bill Gates, or the Ford or Rockefeller Foundations. None were utterly virtuous, albeit perhaps legal, in how they earned their wealth, and none without agenda. But the question is, is it possible to create the open society Soros envisions, when it is controlled by such powerful entities.
It is a question left unresolved by this book. Yet Tamkin on the whole appears grateful that Soros has tried to do what he has done--despite failures and opposition, with all the inherent contradictions. She helps us understand both why he is vilified, and why it is not quite that simple, and that it might be his enemies motivations that are being projected onto Soros. She comments less on this, but it also seemed to me that unlike some who invest in philanthropy, Soros took political sides and made political enemies. What is sad is that in all this his vision of an open society gets lost, one where those with diverse backgrounds and ideas may meet, where all forms of totalitarian society are opposed.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
If one were to believe some of my conservative friends, George Soros is the devil incarnate, masterminding a left wing plot for world domination and the undoing of American and global institutions, whether through currency markets or through an invasion of immigrants. I've found myself wondering, who is this figure--a noble capitalist, or the devil incarnate, or someone else. The chance to read Emily Tamkin's investigative reporting on the life of Soros offered a chance to dig a bit deeper.
What Tamkin does in this book is draw the profile of a man of noble aspirations caught in the dissonance between how he acquires and wields his wealth, and the causes he supports through it. She describes his rise from a holocaust survivor from Budapest Hungary, a Jew whose lawyer father secured for the family and a number in their circles false identity documents that allowed them to pass as Christians. Some conspiracy theories have them betraying others, but the truth appears simpler, they did what they had to to survive, helping some others along the way. After the war, Soros goes to the London School of Economics, where he encountered the work of Karl Popper including Open Society and Its Enemies. Not only does Popper draw parallels between communism and fascism, but he argues that since nothing can be known with certainty, the best society is one open to diversity, allowing a striving toward understanding. These ideas are crucial to understanding Soros.
Tamkin traces Soros rise in the financial world of international arbitrage, the buying and selling of securities in different markets, making profits off of price differences. After working for other investment firms, he finally set up his own firm, the Soros Fund, later Quantum. He made, lost, and made more money, even breaking the British bank at one point, as well as the currencies of several other countries.
That was until 1979, when he set up the Open Society Fund. His first efforts toward his vision of open society was scholarships for black South Africans. He then turned to dissident movements in Eastern Europe, including his native Hungary, supporting Viktor Orban, who later became opposed Soros efforts when he came to power. Eventually, he established Central Europe University in Budapest, attracting scholars from throughout the world--his vision of open society in microcosm. In subsequent years, his attention would turn to the Balkans, later to Baltimore, where he funded approaches to addiction focused around harm reduction rather than incarceration. In 2004, he turned to elections, funding the opposition to George W. Bush in his concerns about the Iraq invasion and the suspensions of civil liberties in the Patriot Act. He also intervened with funding in the elections in the Republic of Georgia.
Perhaps here was where the narrative of George Soros as the arch-nemesis funding a liberal, far left conspiracy gained traction. While Tamkin dismisses the conspiratorial elements, she highlights to dissonance between Soros use of monetary manipulations and his wielding of vast wealth with the idea of an "open society" where all, and not just the wealthy get to play. He would argue that his own efforts gave lots of operating room to the NGO's he funded to determine their own best course. He was not the mastermind pulling all the strings. Tamkin notes that this is the inherent conflict of wielding of wealth, whether done by Soros, or the Koch brothers, or Bill Gates, or the Ford or Rockefeller Foundations. None were utterly virtuous, albeit perhaps legal, in how they earned their wealth, and none without agenda. But the question is, is it possible to create the open society Soros envisions, when it is controlled by such powerful entities.
It is a question left unresolved by this book. Yet Tamkin on the whole appears grateful that Soros has tried to do what he has done--despite failures and opposition, with all the inherent contradictions. She helps us understand both why he is vilified, and why it is not quite that simple, and that it might be his enemies motivations that are being projected onto Soros. She comments less on this, but it also seemed to me that unlike some who invest in philanthropy, Soros took political sides and made political enemies. What is sad is that in all this his vision of an open society gets lost, one where those with diverse backgrounds and ideas may meet, where all forms of totalitarian society are opposed.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
August 3, 2020
I approached Soros from the perspective of an observer of social media where few names, (if any, besides Trump) cause so much caustic commentary. The anti-Semitic tropes hurled at Soros - and anyone with similar political views - are obvious and jarring. But the invectives come from several “camps”, not only the far-right. So, is there any basis for the maligning cacophony?
I picked up this book to get a better overview of this question.
Julian Borger: "With this elegantly written and engaging book, Emily Tamkin coolly sweeps away a thousand conspiracy theories, while never losing sight of all the paradoxes thrown up when a billionaire seeks to buy his way towards an open society."
I agree. If there is a weak spot in the book it is that Tamkin presses the point of this paradox more than three, four (?) times. I got it the first time. This is far from annoying though, and the book is a tour-de force. Well researched, very well written. Tamkin’s take-aways from interviews with employees, co-workers and foes of Soros are enlightening.
Perhaps what stays with me most however is not the analysis of Soros, but the light shed on some of his most ardent foes, among them of course Victor Orbán. The book is also a refresher of recent history of eastern Europe and the Balkans - as well as a recapitulation of events where countries were very negatively economically impacted by Soros speculations.
I recommend this book – and it is a book to share after reading.
I picked up this book to get a better overview of this question.
Julian Borger: "With this elegantly written and engaging book, Emily Tamkin coolly sweeps away a thousand conspiracy theories, while never losing sight of all the paradoxes thrown up when a billionaire seeks to buy his way towards an open society."
I agree. If there is a weak spot in the book it is that Tamkin presses the point of this paradox more than three, four (?) times. I got it the first time. This is far from annoying though, and the book is a tour-de force. Well researched, very well written. Tamkin’s take-aways from interviews with employees, co-workers and foes of Soros are enlightening.
Perhaps what stays with me most however is not the analysis of Soros, but the light shed on some of his most ardent foes, among them of course Victor Orbán. The book is also a refresher of recent history of eastern Europe and the Balkans - as well as a recapitulation of events where countries were very negatively economically impacted by Soros speculations.
I recommend this book – and it is a book to share after reading.
August 20, 2020
Turns out if you challenge wannabe kings whose powers rely on suppressed dissent they'll be happy to vilify you. Lots of individual good (student scholarships, immigrant legal aid, etc) straight up wouldn't have happened without Soros' money and we're trying to end billionaires here but I don't think that's an unsolvable paradox if we have governments that work better and operate under better values so we don't have to count on choosy philanthropists so much. The hard part is getting the governments we want which is a forever-project, but it's kinda comforting to know that money isn't actually everything, since Soros is currently back on square one on a number of fronts that he's thrown a lot of money at. Billionaires shouldn't exist and Balkan politics are hard.
Tamkin took me from knowing zero about Soros to knowing more than I ever thought I needed to and she did it with a frankness and twinge of cynicism that was such a relief from the charged discourse around Soros in popular media. And I learned what an open society is! I won't remember any of the bazillion names that Tamkin named in her huge cast of characters (she's thorough) but I think if someone were to try to spit Fox News Soros Conspiracy at me I could now confidently fight them and crush them with "well actually" details, all still without defending the need for billionaires, and with a number of solid examples of why billionaires are still bad, actually.
Tamkin took me from knowing zero about Soros to knowing more than I ever thought I needed to and she did it with a frankness and twinge of cynicism that was such a relief from the charged discourse around Soros in popular media. And I learned what an open society is! I won't remember any of the bazillion names that Tamkin named in her huge cast of characters (she's thorough) but I think if someone were to try to spit Fox News Soros Conspiracy at me I could now confidently fight them and crush them with "well actually" details, all still without defending the need for billionaires, and with a number of solid examples of why billionaires are still bad, actually.
June 20, 2022
Rođen u Mađarskoj pod prezimenom Schwartz. Pošto je to bilo u doba Hitlera, mjenjaju prezime u Soros kako bi izbjegli holokaust. Njegov otac im je nabavio kršćanske papire. Tada je okusio kako okrutne mogu biti etničke i vjerske podjele i razvija ideju otvorenog društva bez navedenih.
Nakon rata, Mađarska koja je bila na gubitničkoj, fašističkoj strani, prihvata komunizam i on emigrira u Veliku Britaniju. ( zašto emigrira kad komunizam propagira slične ideje?)
U Britaniji studira i mentor mu je Karl Popper koji također zastupa ideju Otvorenog društva.
Nakon studija, Soros koristeći svoje ekonomsko znanje se bogati do neslućenih visina. On je prvi i stvorio hedge fondove. Kasnije, kada je već bio milijarder, koristeći novac, uviđa tromost vlade Britanije i kladi se protiv funte i obara joj tečaj. Prvi put da je jedna osoba(fond) uspjela da slomi državu. Kasnije sličan recept koristi i u Tajlandu i obara Baht. To dovodi do krize u Aziji. To je vrijeme kada se radilo na uvođenju zajedničke valute za Europu(današnji euro).
Tad postaje medijska ličnost, Britanci ga krive i slično.
Nakon toga, polako se povlači iz vođenja fondova, za to zapošljava druge ljude, a on se više bavi idejom otvorenog društva i filantropijom.( ili nešto drugo?)
Otvara otvorena društva po raznim državama, prvo u J. Africi gdje je bio, a i danas je veliki problem između netrepeljivosti crnaca i bijelaca. Nakon J. Afrike fokus je bio na komunističkim zemljama Evrope(Čehoslovačka, Poljska solidarnost, Gruzija, Mađarska). Financira rad otvorenih društava i stupendira najbolje studente, šalje ih na putovanja da uvide kakav je zapad itd. Orban je jedan od njegovih stipendista( Kasnije tj. danas, Orban mu je okrenuo leđa i svrstao se među nacionaliste-dizanje žice itd)
Devedesetih pravi humanitarnu iznimku i prvi put da daje novac za projekte (voda, hrana, donacije klasične). To čini u BiH za vrijeme rata. Nakon rata otvara humanitarno društvo na čijem čelu je bilo par osoba među kojima je jedan od njih Finci( zakon Sejdić i Finci, ovdje se vidi poveznica da ko kog je dobar sa Sorosom, ima neki utjecaj).
Zanimljivo je da je uvidio prije nego se to i desilo da u državama koje su bile komunističke sljedeća vlast u uređenje gotovo uvijek nacionalističko.
U Srbiji je lobirao protiv Miloševića, u Slovačkoj projekt OK98, gdje je financirao što veću izlaznost na izbore kako bi skinuio diktatora Mečiara sa vlasti.(Mečiar je imao sličnu vladavinu kao BiH danas, gdje je jako mala izlaznost bila, uglavnom su partijski ljudi glasali i oni koji su preko partije dobijali poslove i slično, a srednji sloj je upao u stanje letargije)
U Americi je lobirao protiv Busha i rata u Iraku ali je izgubio.
Zanimljiv i kontroverzan.
Nakon rata, Mađarska koja je bila na gubitničkoj, fašističkoj strani, prihvata komunizam i on emigrira u Veliku Britaniju. ( zašto emigrira kad komunizam propagira slične ideje?)
U Britaniji studira i mentor mu je Karl Popper koji također zastupa ideju Otvorenog društva.
Nakon studija, Soros koristeći svoje ekonomsko znanje se bogati do neslućenih visina. On je prvi i stvorio hedge fondove. Kasnije, kada je već bio milijarder, koristeći novac, uviđa tromost vlade Britanije i kladi se protiv funte i obara joj tečaj. Prvi put da je jedna osoba(fond) uspjela da slomi državu. Kasnije sličan recept koristi i u Tajlandu i obara Baht. To dovodi do krize u Aziji. To je vrijeme kada se radilo na uvođenju zajedničke valute za Europu(današnji euro).
Tad postaje medijska ličnost, Britanci ga krive i slično.
Nakon toga, polako se povlači iz vođenja fondova, za to zapošljava druge ljude, a on se više bavi idejom otvorenog društva i filantropijom.( ili nešto drugo?)
Otvara otvorena društva po raznim državama, prvo u J. Africi gdje je bio, a i danas je veliki problem između netrepeljivosti crnaca i bijelaca. Nakon J. Afrike fokus je bio na komunističkim zemljama Evrope(Čehoslovačka, Poljska solidarnost, Gruzija, Mađarska). Financira rad otvorenih društava i stupendira najbolje studente, šalje ih na putovanja da uvide kakav je zapad itd. Orban je jedan od njegovih stipendista( Kasnije tj. danas, Orban mu je okrenuo leđa i svrstao se među nacionaliste-dizanje žice itd)
Devedesetih pravi humanitarnu iznimku i prvi put da daje novac za projekte (voda, hrana, donacije klasične). To čini u BiH za vrijeme rata. Nakon rata otvara humanitarno društvo na čijem čelu je bilo par osoba među kojima je jedan od njih Finci( zakon Sejdić i Finci, ovdje se vidi poveznica da ko kog je dobar sa Sorosom, ima neki utjecaj).
Zanimljivo je da je uvidio prije nego se to i desilo da u državama koje su bile komunističke sljedeća vlast u uređenje gotovo uvijek nacionalističko.
U Srbiji je lobirao protiv Miloševića, u Slovačkoj projekt OK98, gdje je financirao što veću izlaznost na izbore kako bi skinuio diktatora Mečiara sa vlasti.(Mečiar je imao sličnu vladavinu kao BiH danas, gdje je jako mala izlaznost bila, uglavnom su partijski ljudi glasali i oni koji su preko partije dobijali poslove i slično, a srednji sloj je upao u stanje letargije)
U Americi je lobirao protiv Busha i rata u Iraku ali je izgubio.
Zanimljiv i kontroverzan.
July 21, 2020
George Soros started his political fights in eastern Europe against communism and eventually moved into American Politics. Soros took a liberal political side and made conservative enemies. The Open Society Foundation (created by Soros) is one of the largest political organizations in the world looking to enact substantial change to global institutions
The author (Emily Tamkin) explores George Soros history, monetary origin and the Open Society Foundation. Tamkin is impressed with the Open Society Foundation but also concerned about the eventual goals of such an organization . Tamkin explores the rationale behind the Open Society Foundation, and the contradictions of such a powerful entity.
The book was an interesting history exploration of the Open Society but it seems that the author was left guessing on Soros first hand information.
The author (Emily Tamkin) explores George Soros history, monetary origin and the Open Society Foundation. Tamkin is impressed with the Open Society Foundation but also concerned about the eventual goals of such an organization . Tamkin explores the rationale behind the Open Society Foundation, and the contradictions of such a powerful entity.
The book was an interesting history exploration of the Open Society but it seems that the author was left guessing on Soros first hand information.
October 1, 2020
Finished: 01.10.2020
Genre: non-fiction
Rating: A++++++
#AudioBook
Conclusion:
It is about time to stop and learn more about
this amazing and generous billionaire!
I read it as an AUDIO book (7 hrs 57 min)
My Thoughts
Genre: non-fiction
Rating: A++++++
#AudioBook
Conclusion:
It is about time to stop and learn more about
this amazing and generous billionaire!
I read it as an AUDIO book (7 hrs 57 min)
My Thoughts
August 1, 2020
The Paradoxes of Influence
Emily Tamkin's Explorations of the Person George Soros
https://visegradinsight.eu/george-sor...
Emily Tamkin's Explorations of the Person George Soros
https://visegradinsight.eu/george-sor...
July 10, 2020
Well researched and compellingly written, this deep dive into what make George Soros who he is in the world today was a fantastic read!
June 6, 2023
Tamkin's book looks at the philanthropic work of George Soros & how he became the boogeyman for authoritarian & right wing leaders across the globe. The book traces his early life in Hungary, then England & the United States as he became a powerful financier & how he developed his concept of an open society & used the money he earned to fund causes to help democracy across the globe. At the same time Tamkin is aware of the tension between Soros' ideals & his wealth.
"He understood better than many people that there was a danger that Communism would be followed by nationalism," the British sociologist Paul Stubbs..." 57
"The Bush administration's thinking, Soros said, was that the stronger know better. Soros saw this as a uniquely Republican coupling of religious and market fundamentalism. "The two groups feed off each other-religious fundamentalism provides both an antidote to and a cover for the amorality of the market. Market fundamentalists and religious fundamentalists make strange bedfellows, but they have been held together by their success: Together they came to dominate the Republican Party." 155
"In Soros's view, Bush, in the way he had reacted and responded to the attacks of September 11, 2001, had allowed the American people to harness their grief into rage that could be released onto others. The United States had, he argued, fallen into the trap of morphing from victim into perpetrator." 156
"The 2004 election wa understood at the time as a major battle in the culture wars. Issues were not just economic or political; they were moral. The war in Iraq was not just a war on Iraq; it was a war on terror. A piece of legislation that, objectively, infringed on civil liberties had 'patriot' in its name. Countries were either with us or against us; who constituted 'us' remained undefined yet understood." 157-158
"It wasn't only right-wing American conspiracy theorists like Hastert and O'Reilly who started talking about Soros in 2004. That same year, Soros's involvement in an election half a world away from the United States would eventually incur the wrath of another world leader, and perhaps the most famous conspiracy theorist of all: Russian President Vladimir Putin." 161
"He says that Orban's illiberalism is a distraction from the corruption though which he has reportedly enriched his family-in particular his father-and close friends." 183
"In 2044, Soros conspiracy theorists were for the likes of Lyndon LaRouche and the angriest Fox commentators (and Dennis Hastert). Now, through a combination of foreign suggestion and deep fear of the other other, they were being pushed by elected U.S. senators and having repercussions for people who had dedicated their professional lives to serving the United States." 190
"Soros was almost a perfect foil for politicians in Central and Eastern Europe, and even in the United States: He was a wealthy, Hungarian, U.S.-based Jew. But in 2015, he became the perfect bogeyman. He became more than himself; in trumpeting Soros conspiracy theories, politicians were scaring up the image not only of Soros, but also of hordes of people invading their countries from countries where people did not look like them." 202-203
"Eighteen eighty-two, Chichi explained, was the year that limits were put on legal immigration. They were qualitative, not quantitative: It wasn't how many people were coming in, but what kind of people they were. Paupers, for example, were banned; new Chinese immigrants were banned too." 205
"But is also my opinion that he should not have had the billions to begin with, because a society in which one person can amass so much personal wealth, power, and influence while some don't have any can never be open." 230
"He understood better than many people that there was a danger that Communism would be followed by nationalism," the British sociologist Paul Stubbs..." 57
"The Bush administration's thinking, Soros said, was that the stronger know better. Soros saw this as a uniquely Republican coupling of religious and market fundamentalism. "The two groups feed off each other-religious fundamentalism provides both an antidote to and a cover for the amorality of the market. Market fundamentalists and religious fundamentalists make strange bedfellows, but they have been held together by their success: Together they came to dominate the Republican Party." 155
"In Soros's view, Bush, in the way he had reacted and responded to the attacks of September 11, 2001, had allowed the American people to harness their grief into rage that could be released onto others. The United States had, he argued, fallen into the trap of morphing from victim into perpetrator." 156
"The 2004 election wa understood at the time as a major battle in the culture wars. Issues were not just economic or political; they were moral. The war in Iraq was not just a war on Iraq; it was a war on terror. A piece of legislation that, objectively, infringed on civil liberties had 'patriot' in its name. Countries were either with us or against us; who constituted 'us' remained undefined yet understood." 157-158
"It wasn't only right-wing American conspiracy theorists like Hastert and O'Reilly who started talking about Soros in 2004. That same year, Soros's involvement in an election half a world away from the United States would eventually incur the wrath of another world leader, and perhaps the most famous conspiracy theorist of all: Russian President Vladimir Putin." 161
"He says that Orban's illiberalism is a distraction from the corruption though which he has reportedly enriched his family-in particular his father-and close friends." 183
"In 2044, Soros conspiracy theorists were for the likes of Lyndon LaRouche and the angriest Fox commentators (and Dennis Hastert). Now, through a combination of foreign suggestion and deep fear of the other other, they were being pushed by elected U.S. senators and having repercussions for people who had dedicated their professional lives to serving the United States." 190
"Soros was almost a perfect foil for politicians in Central and Eastern Europe, and even in the United States: He was a wealthy, Hungarian, U.S.-based Jew. But in 2015, he became the perfect bogeyman. He became more than himself; in trumpeting Soros conspiracy theories, politicians were scaring up the image not only of Soros, but also of hordes of people invading their countries from countries where people did not look like them." 202-203
"Eighteen eighty-two, Chichi explained, was the year that limits were put on legal immigration. They were qualitative, not quantitative: It wasn't how many people were coming in, but what kind of people they were. Paupers, for example, were banned; new Chinese immigrants were banned too." 205
"But is also my opinion that he should not have had the billions to begin with, because a society in which one person can amass so much personal wealth, power, and influence while some don't have any can never be open." 230
September 15, 2022
For years I've been hearing about George Soros as a liberal version of the Koch brothers who is behind much of the leftwing activity that the right wing opposes. I figured it was time I learned more about him.
Soros has been presented by the right as the leftwing bogeyman. The truth is not so black-and-white. Soros is not a perfect philanthropist. The way he made his money was ruthless and sometimes offensive (to me), but, for the most part, he has tried to better society by supporting groups that promote openness, not specific political figures.
That changed when he decided that George W. Bush was dangerous and needed to be defeated (obviously he wasn't).
Soros has become a unifying figure for the right. As I suspected, he is such a perfect foe for them because he is foreign and Jewish, and some of the worst people have used his name as a rallying cry and it is so undeniably anti-Semitic (and, of course, those people deny that).
This was an important read for me because I wanted to know more about this man. He is not perfect, but he is not a monster, and he has done what he has felt is right with the incredible amount of money he has made. He has been used by those on the right as a bogeyman, and they have fallen in with the long tradition of anti-Semitism: the view of the rich Jew as the "other", the person without a country trying to harm other countries. It's disgusting.
Much of the beginning of the book is about Soros's early life and how Soros made his money. I found the parts about how he made his money hard to follow. You would find it easier to follow if you are familiar with international finance.
Soros has been presented by the right as the leftwing bogeyman. The truth is not so black-and-white. Soros is not a perfect philanthropist. The way he made his money was ruthless and sometimes offensive (to me), but, for the most part, he has tried to better society by supporting groups that promote openness, not specific political figures.
That changed when he decided that George W. Bush was dangerous and needed to be defeated (obviously he wasn't).
Soros has become a unifying figure for the right. As I suspected, he is such a perfect foe for them because he is foreign and Jewish, and some of the worst people have used his name as a rallying cry and it is so undeniably anti-Semitic (and, of course, those people deny that).
This was an important read for me because I wanted to know more about this man. He is not perfect, but he is not a monster, and he has done what he has felt is right with the incredible amount of money he has made. He has been used by those on the right as a bogeyman, and they have fallen in with the long tradition of anti-Semitism: the view of the rich Jew as the "other", the person without a country trying to harm other countries. It's disgusting.
Much of the beginning of the book is about Soros's early life and how Soros made his money. I found the parts about how he made his money hard to follow. You would find it easier to follow if you are familiar with international finance.
September 28, 2020
In today's political climate, it is hard to get a straight answer on who George Soros is. Tamkin does a good job in telling us some of what Soros is about, although this read is rather dull. I kept wanting to find out where all the talk of Soros' influence on American politics came from, and while I did learn some, Soros still feels like an enigma to me.
February 1, 2021
The way Soros has lived his life is quite remarkable.
March 9, 2021
If you are curious about George Soros, what his philanthropy is all about and how he became the arch villain behind every conspiracy theory since the late 1990s, this is a great read.
July 24, 2021
An interesting overview of life, work and influence of George Soros. Without conspiracy bullshit.
July 10, 2022
At times this book reads more like apologetics for Soros than an objective narrative of events. Nevertheless, it is informative and worth reading if you want to know more about George Soros.
November 6, 2025
Too much of the author's biased opinions
I was interested in a biography of Soros, not the extremist views of someone who is not knowledgeable of economics.
I was interested in a biography of Soros, not the extremist views of someone who is not knowledgeable of economics.
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