Our gift to you to kickoff the Holidays is a FREE cup of Joe at our Starbucks at 44th St. and Indian School.
Order whatever drink you like tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, tell them to make it a “Park&Co,” and it’s on us, while supplies last. You can even swing by the agency with your fresh brew and say hello if you like. We’d love to see you.
On another note: every year my friend Bill Rozier polls a handful of his friends and colleagues and compiles a list of great books they recommend that make wonderful gifts. Bill said I could share his list with you.
Rozier’s Holiday Book List 2010
1. Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the US Navy
In truth, I don’t care all that much about the Navy but this is a book about the birth of the United States as a military power and the political debate that preceded it. It’s also a book about “innovation” in as much as the frigates the US built were far superior to anything on the seas at the time. Hint: One reason is a special tree called, Live Oak. Another reason is where you put the masts, which was a true maritime innovation. If you live in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York or Boston, this is a story played out in your backyard. This book is in my “All Time Top 10″ list.
2. Uranium: War, Energy and the Rock That Shaped the World
Great read about the history of uranium with the social and political consequences of the rock ”that changed everything.” Very interesting, enlightening, tragic and ultimately, inspiring. Bet you can’t name how much processed uranium has been “lost” over the years. Hint: It’s measured in tons….a whole lot of “tons.”
3. Alexander Hamilton
One of the most unknown Founding Father yet the one we might owe the most to….The Father of Capitalism at a time when “capitalism” was unknown. OK, Franklin was a “clever” and Jefferson “worldly” but for my money, Hamilton was the smartest of the bunch: Chief of Staff to General Washington; elected to the Continental Congress; one of the first constitutional lawyers; one of the first economists; authored the Federalist Papers almost single handedly (which has to be one of the smartest series of essays ever); was the first Secretary of the Treasury before their was a treasury; created the Coast Guard and was killed in a duel by Aaron Burr for calling him a bad name….just like Baltimore. Beautifully written. Also, on my “Top 10 of All Time” list.
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
Terrific spine tingling Swedish thrillers/mysteries. They are better than candy, while you can devour them quickly, the stories stay with you for a while. I particularly like the first and third.
5. Three Stations by Martin Cruz Smith
Rich mystery involving all sorts of characters in modern day Russia. If you read any of the earlier Arkady Renko mysteries, you’ll appreciate this one.
6. Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by David Krakauer
Krakauer takes on the truth behind the death of Pat Tillman (who left professional football for the military) via friendly fire and the subsequent military cover up.
7. Spies of the Balkans by Alan Furst
Furst spins wonderfully detailed spy stories about unlikely people who find themselves enmeshed against the Nazis and their brethren. In this case it’s in Greece, but other Furst novels are set in Paris, Hungary… Pick up ANY of them for historically accurate, intriguing reads.
8. “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield’s
No matter what profession you’re in, it’s the artist within each and everyone of us that unlocks our success. “The War of Art” examines “resistance” in bite-sized one- and two-page chunks exploring all of the ways we thwart ourselves through fear, procrastination, and self-doubt. Despite the topic, this is a fun read, written by a fabulous screenwriter and author, that should be stuffed in every one’s brief case and revisited often for quick refreshers on how to cross the finish line with every endeavor we set in motion.
9. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coehlo
You’ll be surprised at what you can learn about the world when you follow a young shepherd named Santiago when he choose to cross over from Spain into Egypt on his quest to find his treasure at the bass of the great pyramids. I’ve read it twice and have recommended it to everyone from 12-year-olds and 82-year-olds. One of my favorite stories of the year.
10. “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” by Donald Miller
If you think you’re a couch potato, wait until you read about Donald Miller before and after he decided to get off his ass and re-write his life story to make it an epic. I was so taken by “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” that I attended Miller’s Storyline conference in Portland earlier this year. Definitely a book that is ideal for a New Year’s resolution to make 2011 the beginning of something big: Namely the rest of your life. For a little added value, you might also consider his “Blue Like Jazz,” Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, his surprising indie sensation that started it all.
11. The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century
Worried about the Chinese taking over as the next global superpower? Think again, says George Friedman. This is a really fascinating view on what could be in store in the 21st century according one of the most renowned geopoliticians.
12. The Orientalist: Solving the Mystery of a Strange and Dangerous Life
To me, this book is more an adventure story than a biography — traipsing around some of the world’s most exotic places. Lots of colorful characters, including the main one, who really did lead a strange and dangerous life.
13. CivilWar, Land in Bad Decline
Quick, quirky and (I think) darkly hi-larious stories about people working in a surreal and failing amusement park call CivilWarLand. You could sit down and read the whole thing in an evening.
14. Delivering Happiness: A path to Profits, Passion and Purpose
The story of Zappos.com. Great read about a group of visionary entrepreneurs who decided their product, even more than the merchandise they sold, was customer happiness – delivering “wow.”
15. REWORK
Re-think, simplify and get it done. Quick read drawn from the 37signals blog – simple – brilliant at times.
16. NO MAN’S LAND: A Survival Guide to Growing Mid-Sized Companies
The subtitle here used to be: “When you’re too big to be small and too small to be big.” Classic guide to navigating the “jump points” that every business goes through – institutionalizing the passion, products and services created by the founding personalities, when the business grows beyond their reach.
17. Under the Dome (King)
Having not been a major King fan in the past, I found myself drawn to this book’s concept. The notion of 30k+ people in a small town trapped under an unexplained Dome for an indefinite period of time was ripe for craziness. And King delivered. It’s a hefty investment (north of 1000 pages), but it reads like a TV series – you can jump in and out. Took me about 3 months to complete (along with the other couple books I had going at the time J). If you’re in for some suspense, it’s a page turner!
18. Castle in the Forrest (Mailer)
Whether you’re a history buff or have some random reason to dig into the past of one of history’s worst citizens, Mailer’s depiction of Hitler’s upbringing is simply brilliant. In it he showcases the evolution of a young Hitler, focusing on the influences he encountered as a child/young man. Mailer really digs into the influence that Hitler’s father had on his life and his world view. Fascinating read that offers a look into the making of a mad man.
19. Bones of the Hills
The third in the trilogy of the life of Genghis Khan. Combines historical insight with some creative writing that really brings him and his era into light
20. Bring em Back Alive
Really fun read about Frank Buck who was a pioneer in catching and shipping exotic animals from the continent to zoos around the world.
21. The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors
The story of the largest ship to ship naval battle in the history of the world and probably the last. Described as a David versus ten Goliaths comparison because of the size of the Japanese fleet that appeared on the horizon catching a flotilla of 13 smaller US Navy carrier escort ships and destroyer escort ships off guard and unprotected from the main US battle fleets. The defense of the fleet was lead by three small destroyers with a Cherokee Indian Captain who said to his sailors, “this will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can.” Years later Admiral Nimitz proclaimed of the battle, “The vision of the three destroyers charging the main batteries of the Imperial Navy can endure as a picture of the way Americans fight against a superior force. Our school children should know about it and our enemies should ponder it.”
22. Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer
Who knew anything about the Confederate fanaticism of the actor who killed Lincoln, or the plot to also murder other top government officials in a last-ditch attempt to win the Civil War? Reads like a novel.
23. Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest
The Greatest Generation. The sacrifices these guys made is incomprehensible.
24. The Complete Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant
The best autobiography ever written, at least in English. Fascinating tale of the nuances of the Civil War by a guy who helped direct it.
25. Invisible Man
Riveting, post-war American literature. Hard to describe the premise, but the writing is incredible.
26. Decision Points by George Bush
Surprisingly engaging and a great view into how the presidency works–or doesn’t.
27. The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, hidden dimensions, and the quest for the ultimate theory
A fine popular-level book on physics
28. Ghost Wars–Steve Coil
29. The Reversal–Michael Connely
Good right up to the end, when he gets bored and shuts it down.
30. Cosmic Jackpot
Why our universe is just right for life. Interesting and well done, but a little fuzzy on the general thinking.
31. The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End
Both by Ken Follet—amazing
32. Outliers and What the Dog Saw
Malcom Gladwell–both excellent
33. The Chicago Way and Fifth Floor
both by Michael Harvey. Solid mysteries, well written
34. Caught Stealing, A Dangerous Man, and Six Bad Things
Charlie Huston–harrowing to the last page.
35. The Blight Way
Patrick McManus–funny cop novel.
36. The Scar
China Meiville–complex scifi
37. Guilty Pleasures
Maria Isabel Pita–Erotica. Maria is a very naughty girl. With an imagination like this she must live in her head, I figure she weighs 300 pounds and has a mustache.
38. The Wild Trees
Richard Preston–you think you know trees, you know NOTHING. Fabulous book.
39. Monsoon
Wilbur Smith–if you like Wilbur’s style you’re in luck. He’s written about a million books. No idea why I’ve never heard of him. Good journeyman writing.
40. The Art of Racing in the Rain
Garth Stein–Billy, you have to read this book. A tearjerker about racing cars.
41. This Boy’s Life and Old School
Tobias Wolfe–fine writing about, well, nothing. But fine writing.
42. The Descendants – by Kaui Hart Hemmings’
It is a very well written story about contemporary Hawaii , and a great glimpse into the life of privilege for those born ‘lucky’. The book was hand picked and filmed by academy award winning director Alexander Payne ( Sideways ) starring some guy named George Clooney.
It will be the date night movie next fall, so read it now!
Also in full disclosure, Kaui is a friend of mine and I am in the movie in 2 pivotal scenes as one of George’s 6 cousins and one of the ‘Descendants’
43. The Spiritual Heritage of the Human Race by Suheil Basrui and Mehrdad
A great book for those who want to gain better insight into the things that unify rather than separate. Philosophical and scholarly; thick in substance.
44. Fall of Giants, Ken Follett
Another tour de force by one of our generations greatest authors. Leaves one longing for installments 2 and 3. A study of human beings and the impact of WWI from the perspective of individuals from the UK, Germany, Russia, and the US
45. The Secret of Shelter Island, Alexander Green
Don’t let the sub-title turn you off; this is not a book about money. This is a collection of essays by one of the most pragmatic and soulful people in the “blogosphere” today. Mr. Green also happens to be one of the most successful money managers of the past couple of decades.
46. Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
For those of you who have older sons, this book is a riot. Although short, it is very funny .This guys dad reminds me of my grandpa. Very candid and no bullshit!
47. Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton
I have one son in Iraq and another in South Korea so I have a bias for military reads. The bravery and resourcefulness these soldiers have in the early stages of war in Afghanistan is remarkable
48. Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
One of the most interesting expositions on human decision-making behavior. Extremely interesting, easy to read, and very useful in daily life and business as well!
49. Adventures Among Ants: A Global Safari with a Cast of Trillions by Mark Moffett
Summary: Who would have thought that ants were interesting? They don’t even have brains! But, surprisingly, this book taught me an enormous amount of fascinating things about how organisms work together – and how nature has so much complexity that goes well beyond our current knowledge. Some lessons about how groups (of people) behave as well, if you’re willing to think beyond the literal word. Intriguing and educational in so many ways.
50. Running with the Buffaloes by Chris Lear
Fascinating inside look at the 1998 University of Colorado cross country team that won the individual title and finished third in the team competition. I’ve reread this once and probably will again.
51. Once a Runner
I know, another running book. This one is classic running fiction.
52. The next 100 years – George Friedman
An audacious attempt to predict the next 100 years. I love the conviction – the contrived analysis! The observations in economics and cultural anthropology are accessible and thought provoking. The conclusions are a bit fanatical but entertaining.
53. The House of Leaves – Mark Danielewski
Truly a book like NO OTHER. A surprisingly (not if you leaf through the book) psychodelic tale about a house that turns out to be bigger on the inside than on the outside – and let’s just leave it at that.. An absolute must-read for anyone who’s into postmodernism.
54. Master and Margarita – Mikhail Bulgakov
The ONE single-seating book in my opinion. Have read it about six times so far an every single time I started at 10PM and finished at 6AM. Serves you a truly explosive mix of Stalinist Russia, mysticism and New Testament – all wrapped in quite unique humour..
55. Barbarians – Terry Jones
If you think the Roman empire was the best thing since bread came sliced in the ancient world (did they slice bread back then, come to think of it?), this book will derail you completely. A Monty-Python-humour-saturated history of the Romana look from the point of view of the nations they conquered – something completely different..
What book do you recommend?
