2021 Book List
This year consisted of surges when I finished books quickly and prolonged dry spells when I did not pick up a book. I am happy to share five great titles that I think are worth sharing and would be great gifts or holiday reads!
The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre
How do you talk about a spy book without ruining it? This true story talks about Oleg Gordievsky, a Russian intelligence agent turned by the British intelligence service into a double agent. The title says it is the greatest espionage story of the Cold War and it is hard to disagree. For fans of spy novels or the Cold War, you will love this book.
The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson
Erik Larson’s book is a historical look at the UK during Winston Churchill’s first year as prime minister. It was fascinating to see how Londoners and the British went along with their daily lives during the chaos of Germany’s bombing raids in the Blitz. People still had a lot of fun during the Blitz. This should be on your reading list if you enjoy reading about Churchill or World War 2. Everyone I have spoken with who has read this book has loved it.
Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last by Wright Thompson
Bourbon has surged in popularity over the past decade and a big reason why is because of the hard to get bottles that middle-age men are collecting like baseball cards. I’m not a collector, but I am willing to sample your collection (just saying!). Wright Thompson, who wrote for the Kansas City Star, weaves the story of the Van Winkle family and the rise, decline, and rebirth of the family name in the bourbon business with his own family story as a new father. This is a great gift to give to your dad!
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
The Martian was a hit book and a blockbuster movie. This book is Andy Weir’s follow up book and once again takes you off to deep space. A small group of astronauts are sent to a distant galaxy to discover why the sun is starting to dim. If you are a fan of science fiction or like the Martian, you’ll enjoy this space odyssey.
Americana: A 400- year History of American Capitalism by Bhu Srinivasan
Business in America is an unbelievable story. From the Pilgrims to Railroads to the Internet, the American history of capitalism is filled with incredible successes and fantastic failures. This book has 30 plus vignettes on different industries and their impact in the US when it went from an emerging idea to the mainstream. Some exciting themes repeat themselves in the book, like the government partnering with businesses at the early stages of a new technologies rollout.
Previous Years Book Lists
Andrew Comstock, CFA
Principal - Wealth Advisor