The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King Paperback – June 4, 2013

THE FISH THAT ATE THE WHALE: The Life and Times of America’s Banana King | Rich Cohen, Picador (2013), p288.In 'The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King,' Rich Cohen delivers a biography of Samuel Zemurray with a narrative zest reminiscent of a picaresque novel. Published in 2013 by Picador, Cohen's work delves into the murky waters of the banana trade. It reveals the improbable saga of Zemurray, a Russian-Jewish immigrant who clawed his way to the zenith of this slippery industry. Zemurray's story is no mere Horatio Alger tale; it's a narrative drenched in the sweat and opportunism that forged American capitalism.Cohen begins this tale by painting the squalor and bigotry faced by Jewish immigrants in the early 1900s. This sets the stage for Zemurray's relentless pursuit of the American Dream. Cohen’s portrayal is unsentimental, yet it brilliantly captures the grit and guile of a man who refused to succumb to prejudice.Zemurray’s foray into the banana business is narrated with adventure verve. Here, Cohen is at his descriptive peak, illustrating how Zemurray upended the industry with innovation and sheer audacity. The Banana King’s business exploits are more than a testament to individual brilliance; they indict the Darwinian underbelly of American enterprise.Cohen's characterization of Zemurray is a masterclass in biographical nuance. He emerges not merely as a titan of the industry, but as a man ablaze with ambition, his character etched with Shakespearean flaws and fervor. Here was a man who could charm and chill with equal aplomb, a magnetic and menacing figure.The book also offers a voyeuristic glimpse into the labyrinthine banana trade world, a saga of cutthroat competition and political intrigue. Cohen's prose brings to life the tropical plantations, the labyrinthine logistics of fruit transportation, and the pulsating ports in a relentless narrative that's as rich as it is.Cohen delves deep into the intricate filial dynamics of the Zemurray household, illuminating the complex relationship between Zemurray and his son, Julius. The familial drama, fraught with tension and ambition, adds depth to this captivating tale.The book reflects the frenetic pace of Zemurray's Odyssey. It sweeps through its subject's eras yet pauses to savor some of the most vital moments in his life. Throughout the book, Cohen combines erudition and accessibility to ensure that a broad audience understands and feels Zemurray's Odyssey.More than a biography, 'The Fish That Ate the Whale' explores the explosive mix of ambition, innovation, and ruthlessness that led to the American Dream. Cohen's Sam Zemurray chronicle illustrates the allure and danger of unchecked ambition. It is an indispensable book for anyone passionate about business history, human society, and the human spirit.QUOTES* "The fish that ate the whale" - a reference to Zemurray's remarkable rise to power and influence in the banana industry* "He was a man of great appetites, and he never satisfied any of them" - a description of Zemurray's insatiable hunger for success and power* "The United Fruit Company was not just a business; it was a state of mind" - a reflection on the all-encompassing nature of Zemurray's business empire and its impact on his personal life and relationships.* "Samuel Zemurray was a man who liked to play God.” - This quote suggests that Zemurray had a strong desire to control and manipulate those around him and often acted with a sense of entitlement and arrogance.* "He was a man who believed in the power of money to solve problems.” - This quote highlights Zemurray’s belief in the ability of money to overcome obstacles and achieve his goals and how he was willing to spend large sums of money to further his interests.* "Zemurray was a man who loved to gamble.” This quote suggests that Zemurray enjoyed taking risks and gambling, both in business and in his personal life, and that this willingness to take risks helped him achieve his goals.* "He was a man who hated to lose.” - This quote highlights Zemurray's competitive nature and how he hated to lose, whether it was in business, politics, or personal relationships.* "Zemurray was a man who believed in the power of the press.” - This quote suggests that Zemurray understood the importance of media coverage and public relations in promoting his business interests and shaping public opinion.* "He was a man who loved to make deals.” - This quote highlights Zemurray’s enjoyment of negotiating and making deals and how he used his charm and charisma to persuade others to see things his way.* "Zemurray was a man who believed in the power of the American dream.” - This quote suggests that Zemurray believed in the idea of the American dream, which holds that anyone can succeed if they work hard enough and are determined enough and that he saw himself as a living embodiment of this ideal.

As far as business biographies goes, this is one of the most fascinating and storied lives I have ever read about. Samuel Zemurray led a fascinating life, and the author covers much of the material well and presents it a very engaging way. Unfortunately, there are also some choices the author makes that detract from the book and the story of Zemurray's life, but not enough to warrant skipping it.Sam Zemurray is accurately described by the author as a sort of quintessential American story. He was born in Russia, but moved to the United States when he was just fifteen years old. He knew that he wanted to be a businessman, and set off in search of a product. He fell in love with bananas, a brand new fruit to the United States, and started his business by buying the discards that no one else wanted. From there he built his small company into the second largest, best run banana company in the world. Bananas might not seem like much now, they certainly didn't to me, but the banana industry was one of the largest industries in his time, controlling governments, shipping channels, and entire continents. Sam himself had a hand in overthrowing governments, defying U.S. presidents, and using guerrilla warfare to grow his business. He eventually sold his business, retired, took over another business, resurrected the banana trade and saved it for years, helped Israel become a country once again, and much more. His life and his influence were unmatched in the South American world at the time, and he had a hand in almost everything. Fascinating story of someone who has been largely forgotten.By itself, the book is a great read and highly recommended. But there are several times the author takes his style of writing and pushes the envelope too far. He hypothesizes too often about Sam's thoughts, references his other books, and inserts himself into the story in an annoying way. He's a gifted writer who has really condensed Zemurray's life down and made it a great read . . . but it what it is a great, highly recommendable book could have been even better.Buy this book and read it, highly recommended.