East to West to East: Journey of a Us Trained Chinese Financier

East to West to East is both a memoir of Randolph Kwei, but also an interesting look at opportunity, culture, and investment banking. It is an especially timely story with the potential beginning of new conflict between China and the U.S. over trade and currency under a new U.S. administration. Kwei was born in China, educated in the U.S., and built his businesses across multiple continents and so has a unique view of how the world works together.

Kwei started his life in Shanghai under Japanese occupation, and his family escaped to Hong Kong, and than as a 16-year-old, moved to America to continue his education. Graduate of both Yale and Columbia Business School, he worked in IT, banking and investments, working at top tier firms before venturing out on his own.

Kwei tells his story with honesty, humor, and a constant sense of optimism. Along the way, the reader learns about banking and investing, probably providing a primer for those interested in pursuing a career in either. The lessons on Chinese history told through the history of his family provides perspective on one of the oldest cultures in the world, still building on the shoulders of their ancestors. His varied careers in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and then back to Hong Kong often covers both the sense of the place, but also the period of history.

Beyond the personal stories or insights into finance, East to West to East is also a slice of world history not often visited. Stories of post-war China often stay there; stories of Asians in America often start and stop with the building of the continental railroad or the Gold Rush. But much of our history also includes those who come, learn, teach, and build. Here, Kwei shows you his story, a unique, optimistic one, that can provide an excellent guide to the next generation that wants to do the same.