House of Gold

This sweeping historical novel, loosely based on the Rothschild family, tells of the Goldbaums, a dynasty of bankers regarded as European royalty. With banks in England, France, Austria, Germany, and Russia, the family controls much that happens on the European stage. As Goldbaum men become bankers, the women marry Goldbaum men to make more Goldbaums. In 1911, Greta Goldbaum of Vienna is sent to England to marry Albert of the London branch. Spirited Greta yearns to break free from the restraints of society and family obligations. Nevertheless, she marries the more serious Albert and resigns herself to a loveless life. Greta and Albert grow closer when her creation of a garden at their new home aligns with his hobby of collecting butterflies and insects. But as they begin a family of their own, World War I breaks out, tearing Greta and the Goldbaums asunder. Greta's beloved brother Otto fights for Austria on the Russian front, while Albert, sent to procure American financial backing, crosses the dangerous Atlantic.