Part 1, 1906-1923, Chapters 1-4 Summary

Wladek and William are both born on April 18, 1906. Wladek's mother dies in childbirth, having her baby in a forest in Poland. William is born in a hospital, the son of a wealthy banker. The book follows their lives and the similarities, and brings the two together as financial contemporaries and enemies.

In Chapter 1, a young hunter finds a woman who has given birth alone in the forest. The baby begins crying when it hits the ground and the mother dies. The hunter takes the baby home to his mother. Helena, the hunter's mother, takes care of the baby. Since she has a six-month old baby herself, she is able to breastfeed the new baby boy as well.

Chapter 2 takes place in a Boston hospital. A baby boy begins crying when its bottom is slapped by the doctor...