Born Standing Up
Steve Martin
"Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life" is Steve Martin's reflective memoir, chronicling his eighteen-year journey through the world of stand-up comedy. The book delves into the intense pressure, constant self-evaluation, and rare moments of joy that defined his early career. From his initial performances, Martin's pursuit of originality led him to unexpected fame and a unique comedic style. Readers will trace Martin's evolution from his early days performing a variety act in a San Francisco club to his time at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, where he honed his skills. The memoir explores his early exposure to comedy through radio and television, his experiences writing for "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," and his eventual commitment to stand-up. The book also examines the development of his unique, absurdist comedic style, free from traditional punchlines, and the challenges and triumphs of life on the road as he refined his act and found his comedic voice.
The Man Who Solved the Market
Gregory Zuckerman
"The Man Who Solved the Market" is the incredible, untold story of Jim Simons, a mathematician who conquered Wall Street not by understanding finance, but by cracking the code of the market. Written by journalist Gregory Zuckerman, the book chronicles the rise of Renaissance Technologies, the secretive hedge fund that pioneered the era of algorithmic trading. Simons, a former code-breaker and geometry professor, rejected the traditional Wall Street model of hiring economists and MBAs. Instead, he hired physicists, astronomers, and computer scientists. They viewed the market not as a system of businesses, but as a chaotic mass of data full of hidden, non-random patterns. The result was the Medallion Fund, which generated average annual returns of 66% before fees for decades—shattering the records of Warren Buffett and George Soros. The Man Who Solved the Market is a gripping narrative about the triumph of data over intuition, revealing how a team of eccentric scientists built a money-printing machine that changed the financial world forever.
Wright Brothers
David McCullough
The story of Wilbur and Orville Wright, two brothers from Ohio who dared to dream of flying and, through perseverance and ingenuity, achieved the impossible. This biography delves into their lives, their family, and the challenges they overcame to invent the airplane and change the world forever.
Steve Jobs
Walter Isaacson
An in-depth biography of Steve Jobs, based on over forty personal interviews with Jobs himself and over a hundred interviews with family, friends, rivals, and colleagues. It explores the life and career of the iconic entrepreneur, his passion for perfection, and his role in revolutionizing multiple industries.
You Never Forget Your First
Alexis Coe
A fresh and insightful biography of George Washington, exploring the myths and realities of America's first president. This biography challenges traditional narratives and offers a nuanced portrait of the man behind the marble facade.
Empire of Pain
Patrick Radden Keefe
An explosive account of the Sackler family, the dynasty behind Purdue Pharma, and their role in the opioid crisis. From their philanthropic endeavors to the marketing of OxyContin, this book uncovers the hidden history of a family whose name adorns museums and universities, while their company fueled a devastating epidemic.
Expect the Unexpected
Anthony S. Fauci
An intimate self-portrait of one of the world’s most admired public servants, Expect the Unexpected is a compelling story of science, medicine, and leadership in times of crisis. From his Brooklyn boyhood to the National Institutes of Health, delve into the life and lessons of Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Hillbilly Elegy
J.D. Vance
A searing and insightful memoir about growing up in a poor, white, Rust Belt town, Hillbilly Elegy is a powerful account of the struggles facing working-class Americans. J.D. Vance tells the story of his family's journey from the Appalachian Mountains to Ohio, and the challenges he faced as he navigated poverty, addiction, and the fading American Dream. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the social and economic forces shaping our nation.