John’s Must-Reads: Summer 2024 Edition

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John’s Must-Reads: Summer 2024 Edition

Jun 30, 2024

Sharing a few of my favorite books I’ve been reading this summer:

The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America’s Banana King by Rich Cohen

This story chronicles the extraordinary life of Samuel Zemurray, a Russian immigrant who became a powerful figure in the American banana industry. Zemurray started as a fruit peddler and climbed the ranks to become the head of the United Fruit Company, eventually leading as CEO for 25 years. Zemurray’s journey reflects the complexities of American capitalism and its impact on global politics. This biography provides a compelling look at a man who shaped an industry and influenced nations – it is truly fantastic!

Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life by John Bogle

John Bogle founded the Vanguard Mutual Funds company (which created the world’s first Index Fund) and grew Vanguard into the largest mutual fund company in the world. In this autobiography, he critiques the financial industry’s greed and emphasizes the value of integrity, simplicity, and long-term investing. He advocates for a return to a more ethical and client-centered approach in finance, drawing on his experiences. The book highlights the dangers of excessive materialism and the pursuit of endless wealth. Ultimately, Bogle encourages readers to find contentment in having “enough” and to instead prioritize what truly matters in life. I highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list!

The Power of And: Responsible Business Without Trade-Offs by Ed Freeman

This is Ed Freeman’s latest book on stakeholder theory and avoiding tradeoffs in business. He argues that combining seemingly opposing values, such as purpose and profit or work and life, can lead to greater success and fulfillment. He emphasizes the importance of stakeholder theory, where businesses should create value for all stakeholders, not just shareholders. Ed is a good friend and one of my heroes. I highly recommend this book, along with his other works.

Television and Movie Recommendations

I also wanted to share a few things I’ve been watching recently:

 3 Body Problem

This is a wonderful Sci-Fi series based on Liu Cixin’s acclaimed science-fiction novel. It depicts humanity’s first encounter with an alien civilization from the Trisolaris star system. The series follows scientists and civilians as they grapple with the impending threat of an alien invasion and the internal conflicts that arise within humanity. If you’re a Sci-Fi enthusiast like me, check it out!

Where to Watch: Netflix

Mark Twain by Ken Burns

Ken Burns’ documentary on Mark Twain explores the life and legacy of the iconic American writer, Mark Twain. Through archival footage, interviews, and narration, Burns dives into Twain’s literary achievements, his complex personality, and his profound impact on American literature and culture, highlighting both his brilliance and his struggles. This is a fantastic documentary!

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Hit Man

This movie is a new romantic comedy that was so much fun to watch! The story follows an undercover New Orleans police contractor (Glen Powell) who poses as a fake hitman. Things start to get complicated when he breaks protocol to help a woman (Adria Arjona) trying to flee her abusive husband and he finds himself falling for her.

Where to Watch: Netflix