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Work and learn from home reading/listening list

March 24, 2020

Although most of your regularly scheduled activities are likely interrupted, you can still keep reading and learning. The Investment team lists some of their recent favourite reads and podcasts covering leadership, oil prices and even pandemics. Sometimes, the best way to avoid panicking is to arm yourself with knowledge.

  • Americana: A 400-Year History of American Capitalism
    by Bhu Srinivasan

    A very readable trip through America’s history and how capitalism and technological innovation fueled its growth. The book includes many small details that greatly influenced the trajectory of the world’s largest economy.

    Recommended by Claire

  • The Oil Kings: How the U.S., Iran, and Saudi Arabia Changed the Balance of Power in the Middle East
    by Andrew Scott Cooper

    Based on declassified U.S. government documents, The Oil Kings shows how America’s decision to switch from Iranian to Saudi Arabian oil in the 1970s influences policies to this day. Once-secret facts include troops almost being sent to the Persian Gulf and U.S. government officials offering to sell nuclear energy to the Shah of Iran.

    Recommended by Claire

  • The Business of Fashion Podcast – Conversation with Remo Ruffini

    “If you care about the quarter, it’s very dangerous” are probably rare words coming from someone in the fashion industry, but it’s how Moncler’s Remo Ruffini helped transform a nearly bankrupt skiwear brand founded in 1952 into a luxury label. After buying the business in 2003 and going public 10 years later, he talks about a working environment that feels like a start-up due to the innovation, energy and engagement with customers.

    Recommended by Claire

  • Masters of Scale – Conversation with Reed Hastings

    Netflix’s founder and CEO, Reed Hastings, discusses empowering people to be active in improving an organization and its environment.

    Recommended by Claire

  •  a16z – Conversation with Susan Rice

    Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, discusses the importance of leadership and diplomacy both to her career and the in general. A look into some of the influences in her life and a few of the key decisions she made along the way.

    Recommended by Claire

  • The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power
    by Daniel Yergin

    Dust this one off any time oil prices collapse. Think we haven’t seen this before? John D. Rockefeller used the strategy countless times to knockout the wildcatters; “good sweating,” he called it.

    Recommended by Derek

  • Grant’s Current Yield – “The least self-aware people on Earth” (July 10, 2017)

    A look at the June 2017 U.S. Federal Reserve minutes and a reconsideration of sovereign debt and associated currency risks.

    Note – For those without Spotify, you can just use this link and register for an account.

    Recommmended by Derek

  • Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It
    by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz

    When it comes to a big deal, you probably want someone who was once the FBI’s lead international kidnapping negotiator on your side. Chris Voss covers nine strategies that help with any deal you might have to make.

    Recommended by Frank

  • The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity
    by Carlo M. Cippola

    Using the idea of “knowing your enemy”, Professor of economics Carlo M. Cipolla defines stupidity in five laws and explains why it’s the biggest obstacle to human progress.

    Recommended by Harry

  • The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
    by Robert Iger

    After 15 years as the head of Disney, Iger explains some of the principles that helped him transform one of the world’s most famous entertainment brands. He shares stories of not just how he made the changes, but the why behind them.

    Recommended by Steven

  • Value Investing with Legends (Columbia Business School’s Helibrunn Center for Graham & Dodd Investing)

    Columbia University builds on its value investing legacy by making podcasts with some of the world’s leading practitioners. Tano Santos, head of the Helibrunn Center, hosts them and finds out how they started in the business, developed their approach and what they see in the future.

    Recommended by Steven

  • The Viral Storm: The Dawn of a New Pandemic Age
    by Nathan Wolfe

    Worth a read to better understand the intersection of viruses and human beings.

    Recommended by Tracey