2010 Summer Reading List

On the Brink: Inside the Race to Stop the Collapse of the Global Financial System by Henry M. Paulson, Jr. In this gripping chronicle, the former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury pulls back the curtain on some of the most intense moments of the financial crisis. On the Brink goes beyond the numbers and delves into the brew of people and politics that drove the decisions that were made, and those that were dismissed.

Life is What You Make It: Find Your Own Path to Fulfillment by Peter Buffett. What kind of life would the son of Warren Buffett lead? Find out in Peter Buffett’s inspirational story of how he defined his own path and found fulfillment in the world of music. Follow Peter as he discovers that the most important measures of success are ones we set for ourselves.

The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company that is Connecting the World by David Kirkpatrick. The first inside story of Facebook, written with full cooperation of founder Mark Zuckerberg, highlights the company’s exponential growth to its current social ubiquity. The Facebook Effect describes the vision and personalities of the small team of friends responsible for the site’s development, and how it became an integral part of 21st century culture.

Written in Water: Messages of Hope for Earth’s Most Precious Resource by Irena Salina. Water is critical for our environment, our lives and our future, but what steps are being taken as this basic necessity becomes increasingly scarce? Written in Water presents a mix of perspectives from advocates for conserving our Earth’s freshwater supply, yielding a well-rounded view of what can and needs to be done.

Mark Twain: Man in White: The Grand Adventure of His Final Years by Michael Shelden. On the centennial of Twain’s death, Michael Shelden focuses on the author’s often misunderstood final decade—some of the most colorful years. Shelden follows the venerable storyteller through scores of unpublished pages, showing how the Missouri native wrote his own legend.

BlackBerry: The Inside Story of Research in Motion by Rod McQueen. With over 50 million BlackBerrys sold, Canada-based Research in Motion (RIM) has come a long way from its start as a $15,000 loan and a dream. Rod McQueen encapsulates the BlackBerry’s popularity, offering new insights into its origins and development. In addition, the profile sheds light on the entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit of the company’s founders.

The Principles of Thai Cookery by Chef McDang. Enjoy Chef McDang’s passion for Thai cuisine with this generous helping of recipes and easy-to-follow cooking tips. More than just a cookbook, The Principles of Thai Cookery is packed with history, ingredient details and cultural references designed to inspire gourmets and culinary enthusiasts alike.

Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong by Terry Teachout. Few would dispute Louis Armstrong’s prowess in the Jazz world, but his life out of the limelight was surprisingly complex. Author and Wall Street Journal columnist Terry Teachout unearths new source material, including hundreds of private recordings, and shows us what made the legendary New Orleans native such an awe-inspiring figure during the last century, and beyond.

Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Modern Century by Peter Galassi. Cartier-Bresson photographed some of the 20th century’s most pivotal moments. For Life Magazine, he covered everything from the revolution in China and cultural changes in Europe to the postwar boom in United States. A companion to the Museum of Modern Art’s early summer exhibit, this chronology by Peter Galassi, the museum’s Chief Curator of Photography, offers rare images and a unique perspective on the iconic French photographer.

Fine Wines: The Best Vintages Since 1900 by Michel Dovaz. International wine expert Michel Dovaz takes connoisseurs hrough a century’s worth of some of the most exquisite wines from around the world. He addresses issues ranging from land and climate conditions to grape varieties and aging, providing an insider’s view of what it takes to create these unforgettable wines.