The Fish That Ate the Whale

Samuel Zemurray (1877-1961) was a Jewish immigrant who grew up in abject poverty, selling fruit on the streets of New Orleans. He eventually became the president and chairman of the United Fruit Company, a powerful American corporation that sought to establish economic control over Central America and foreign nations through the exploitation of farmlands and workers. However, Zemurray was more than just a ruthless capitalist, as many argue that he played an instrumental role in pushing for political reforms within these Latin American countries.