The American Banker in Paris: The Remarkable True Story of Little Known Nelson Dean Jay

The life of Nelson Dean Jay is an opus sized adventure of the unknown banker who lived in Paris and influenced the powerful people of Europe as well as world events.During the Roaring Twenties in Paris, he was a friend of Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, and Gertrude Stein. Jay was described in the New York Times as "one of the most civilized and authentic Americans in Paris." The German Gestapo busted into his office to close down his bank. He was the only American bank to remain open in occupied Paris during the war.DEAN JAY, NOT J.P. MORGAN, WILL ACT ON GERMANREPARATIONS. New York Times January 15, 1929.Jay was a member of the welcoming party for Charles Lindbergh when he made the first transatlantic flight-New York to Paris. Later he criticized Lindbergh to his face, suggesting that he consider his views carefully.Was Dean Jay a spy? Probably not, but everyone sought his advice. From presidents to popes to dictators. He was an informant who provided information to those who needed an