Chapters 1-8 Summary and Analysis

Frank Russek immigrated to America from Poland, eventually settling in New York with his two brothers. Successful bookies, they saved enough money to open a small fur shop in Manhattan. Frank married Rose Anholt and produced two children, Gertrude and Harold. The business grew and was moved to Fifth Avenue. By this time, a young window dresser, David Nemerov, had caught the eye of young Gertrude.

David Nemerov was the son of Jewish immigrants from Russia and, with his three brothers, sold pencils and shined shoes to help with the rent. He studied hard and became quite valuable to the Russeks, though they opposed the romantic relationship between him and their daughter. Nevertheless, Gertrude and David were married, and he became an integral and important part of Russek's furs, expanding the business by adding women's clothing and accessories. It...