Jonathan Kaufman's 'The Last Kings of Shanghai' delves into the captivating saga of two powerful Jewish dynasties, the Sassoons and the Kadoories, whose intense rivalry profoundly shaped modern China. From their immense wealth built on opium and real estate to their significant influence in Shanghai's financial and political spheres, these families were instrumental in the city's development and, by extension, the birth of the new Chinese state. Kaufman meticulously chronicles their fortunes and misfortunes, revealing how their intertwined destinies reflected the tumultuous history of 20th-century China, making it an essential read for understanding a unique chapter in global history.