Julia Friedrichs delves deep into the lives of the ultra-wealthy and explores the vast disparities between the rich and the rest of society. In her latest book "Crazy Rich: Die geheime Welt der Superreichen" Friedrichs examines how a small group of super-rich individuals and families accumulate and maintain extraordinary levels of wealth, while most people live in an entirely different economic reality. The book is based on investigative research, interviews, and case studies, revealing how these fortunes are built and sustained, often in a way that perpetuates inequality. The author tackles five key themes:

1. Concentration of Wealth: Friedrichs highlights how the wealth of the super-rich has grown disproportionately, especially in the last few decades. She delves into how this wealth is passed down through generations, solidifying a kind of financial aristocracy that is increasingly out of touch with ordinary citizens.
2. Globalization and Investment: The book explains how the super-rich benefit from global financial systems and free markets, using investments, real estate, and various tax advantages to grow their wealth. Friedrichs explores the opaque mechanisms that allow this elite class to thrive while evading substantial taxation.
3. Privilege and Power: The author examines how vast wealth translates into political influence and power, shaping laws and policies that benefit the wealthy. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle where the rich influence the system in ways that maintain or enhance their financial standing.
4. Inequality and its Social Impact: Friedrichs reflects on the social implications of extreme wealth disparity. She shows how the super-rich lead insulated lives, often cut off from the struggles of ordinary people. This divide leads to broader issues such as social fragmentation, the erosion of the middle class, and growing discontent among the general population.
5. Moral Questions and Criticism: The book also touches on ethical considerations, questioning whether such wealth accumulation is justified and what responsibilities the super-rich have toward society. Friedrichs critiques the mindset that extreme wealth is solely a personal achievement, without regard for the societal structures that enable its accumulation.

Throughout the book, Friedrichs uses real-life stories and examples of the super-rich to illustrate the stark differences in lifestyles, opportunities, and challenges between them and average citizens. She interviews billionaires, financial experts, and even workers who are directly affected by the actions and policies of the wealthy. By doing so she exposes and reflects on the growing divide between the ultra-rich and the rest of the population arguing that unchecked accumulation of wealth not only harms social cohesion but also undermines the democratic principles of fairness and equal opportunity. As such, she calls for a "New Deal" between the rich and everyone else.