Rialto Investments Segment (Operating Earnings Related To Rialto Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012		May 31, 2011		May 31, 2012		May 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating earnings	$ 81,271		$ 46,398		$ 114,566		$ 106,071
Noncontrolling interest income (loss)	1,721	[1]	11,062	[1]	(5,270)	[1]	22,382	[1]
Rialto Investments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rialto Investments, Revenues	33,472		42,595		65,680		76,218
Rialto Investments, Cost and expenses	30,198		32,273		63,568		60,622
Rialto Investments equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities	5,569		(2,973)		24,027		1,552
Rialto Investments other income (expense), net	(1,372)		15,329		(13,612)		28,532
Operating earnings	7,471	[2]	22,678	[2]	12,527	[2]	45,680	[2]
Noncontrolling interest income (loss)	$ 3,200		$ 12,900		$ (1,200)		$ 24,800

[1] Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three and six months ended May 31, 2012 includes $3.2 million and ($1.2) million, respectively, of earnings (loss) related to the FDIC’s interest in the portfolio of real estate loans that the Company acquired in partnership with the FDIC. Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three and six months ended May 31, 2011 includes $12.9 million and $24.8 million, respectively, of earnings related to the FDIC’s interest in the portfolio of real estate loans that the Company acquired in partnership with the FDIC.

[2] (1)Operating earnings for the three and six months ended May 31, 2012 include net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests of $3.2 million and ($1.2) million, respectively. Operating earnings for the three and six months ended May 31, 2011 include net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests of $12.9 million and $24.8 million, respectively.