The impetus for this book was a telephone call in May 1996 from two friends, Mike Kinsella and Bob Royer. Kinsella, the chief of staff of Senator Alfonse D’Amato, and Royer, a Washington, D.C., lawyer, were searching in the National Archives for information about Swiss banks to use in the early stages of the senator’s campaign. Their support and generosity thereafter were unlimited. Martin Mendelsohn arranged through the Simon Wiesenthal Center for funding for my initial visit and research. Gregg Rickman, Senator D’Amato’s legislative director, has undoubtedly served as the tower of strength for the senator’s campaign and was an enormous and indispensable help to me.
Robert Fink, my indefatigable and resourceful associate in New York, was, as always, invaluable, not least in several archives in New York, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, and for tracking down important eyewitnesses.
In Switzerland, Mario Koenig spent ten weeks in the national archives and not only produced astonishing new material but provided incisive interpretation. I am very grateful to him and to others who unfortunately must remain nameless. Thanks to the original journalism of Irene Loebell of Swiss Television, I was better able to understand this story and Switzerland.
In Paris, Jane Lizop overcame the chaos of the French national archives—which are magnificently designed but are managed in such a way as to prevent proper research—and produced some absolute gems.
Among the many others who gave me valuable help are Moses Abramovitz, Edwin Adams, Morton Bach, Rolf Bloch, Herbert Cummings, Martin Doude van Trostwick, Eli Ginzberg, Max Isenbergh, Paul Jolles, Nat King, Ida Klaus, Paul Rechsteiner, Seymour Rubin, Hans Schaffner, Elan Steinberg and Israel Singer of the World Jewish Congress, Jacob Tanner, Gian Trepp and Herbert Winter. I received considerable but unattributable help from many Swiss bankers and government officials.
Peter James performed his unique magic in editing the manuscript; David Hooper of Biddle & Co. declared the book to be legally watertight; Anne-Marie Ehrlich found the photographs; and Diana Mackay, who sold the foreign rights, and Michael Shaw of Curtis Brown were, as always, great friends and supporters. To all, I am very grateful.
Most of all, I am grateful to my family, who never complain, always laugh and never cease to offer encouragement.