Almost everyone I know or speak to is deeply worried about something. More than usual. Almost every conversation I have seems to be dominated by the fear of one potential crisis or another.
- Fear about the economy.
- Fear about the rise of antisemitism.
- Fear about the people who run our countries.
- Fear about the future leaders who might run our cities.
- Concerns about safety, the economy, housing, their personal health, and the foundation we are laying for our children.
All of these are valid, but they seem to be dominating the majority of our time and attention.
And it’s exhausting.
So how do we find peace in the chaos?
I personally find solace and perspective in learning about history and finding inspiration from artists.
So, on this 4th of July weekend, here are some books that I’ve read and highly recommend.
They are all inspiring and connected to New York City in one way or another: The Last Pirate of New York: A Ghost Ship, a Killer, and the Birth of a Gangster Nation -Rich Cohen
This story is crazy...and true! It sent me down a rabbit hole of reading about pirates (but more on that in another post). A true crime tale set in 1860s New York, about Albert Hicks, a murderer turned folk hero. It’s a portrait of a city on the brink of modern crime.
The Last Days of Night - Graham Moore
Enlightening (pun intended)! This is a historical novel that describes the legal and scientific battle over electricity between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse in Gilded Age America. It’s both a legal thriller and a love letter to invention.
White Shoe: How a New Breed of Wall Street Lawyers Changed Big Business and the American Century – John Oller
A deep dive into the rise of powerful corporate law firms in the early 20th century, this book explores how elite lawyers shaped American capitalism. Oller profiles the architects behind some of the most consequential deals in modern business history. It’s a fascinating look at the origins of corporate power and privilege.
The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America – Russell Shorto
This is the buried history of New Amsterdam, revealing how Dutch values of tolerance and commerce laid the foundation for New York’s character.
Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune – Anderson Cooper
Some of the parties they threw back then rivaled the Bezos wedding. A window into the five-generation saga of the Astor dynasty, from beaver pelts to real estate empires to scandal. It’s a tale of wealth, ambition, and decline.
Shadow Divers – Robert Kurson
I had no idea WW2 came so close to New York City! A true story about two divers who risk everything to identify a mysterious World War II German U-boat off the coast of New Jersey.
Ode to a Tenor Titan: The Life and Times and Music of Michael Brecker – Bill Milkowski
I was lucky enough to have met Michael. I saw him perform many times from an intimate setting of 15 people to stadiums. He was one of jazz’s most innovative saxophonists, and this biography captures Brecker’s brilliance and quiet intensity.
Alexander Hamilton – Ron Chernow
A masterpiece of American (and New York) history. This should be required reading for high school students.
The Alienist – Caleb Carr
Set in 1896 New York, this historical fiction thriller follows a psychologist (“alienist”) and a newspaper reporter as they hunt a serial killer targeting young boys. Beautifully written, this book captures a city on the cusp of modernity, blending forensic science, politics, and social change.
Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. – Ron Chernow
Two Chernow books on this list because they’re that good! Another monumental biography and required reading of the oil magnate and philanthropist who helped build modern capitalism. Essential reading on power, money, and legacy in America.
Side Bar: Canary in the Coalmine
One of my favorite bands and albums of all time is The Police and their 1980 album Zenyatta Mondatta.
More than 40 years later, the song “Canary in The Coalmine” still resonates with me as a metaphor for someone who is overly cautious, paranoid and always expecting danger.
This is the time to be bold and be confident that the lessons we’ve learned from history can successfully guide us tomorrow.
Happy Birthday America
Let’s do this!
Shaun