#3933

Mentioned in 9 episodes

What Makes Sammy Run?

Book • 1941

Published in 1941, 'What Makes Sammy Run?' is a satirical novel that chronicles the meteoric rise of Sammy Glick, a Jewish boy from New York's Lower East Side who becomes a Hollywood mogul through sheer ambition and ruthlessness.

The story is narrated by Al Manheim, a newspaper columnist and screenwriter who is both repulsed and fascinated by Sammy's relentless pursuit of success.

The novel explores themes of ambition, the cost of success, and the moral compromises one makes to achieve it.

It is known for its candid portrayal of the Hollywood industry and the darker aspects of the American Dream.

Mentioned by

Maureen Callahan

Karina Longworth

Mentioned in 9 episodes

Mentioned by

David Senra

as Sam Zell's favorite book, illustrating his philosophy on ambition and continuous growth.

#367 Inside the Contrarian Mind of Sam Zell

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

as a source for a quote he used in his book.

Ep. 31: RYAN HOLIDAY on Ranch Life, Fostering Discipline, and the Loss of Reading Culture

Mentioned by

Spike Lee

as the author of 'What Makes Sammy Run'.

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Mentioned by

Dan Harris

in the context of his own ambition and drive.

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Mentioned in reference to the screenwriter Budd Schulberg, known for his works exploring themes of social injustice and corruption.

‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Is a N.Y. Movie State of Mind, With Spike Lee!

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

as a book he reread, reflecting on his career choices.

Ryan And Jordan Harbinger Live At The West

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

as one of his favorite novels, highlighting a similar device to his book about Tom Brady.

ESPN’s Seth Wickersham on the Patriots, Tom Brady and Greatness

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

in the context of the consequences of immoral actions.

This Is What Karma Looks Like

Mentioned by

Maureen Callahan

in reference to Tom Cruise.

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Recommended by

Ryan Holiday

as his favorite novel, highlighting its cautionary tale on ambition.

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Mentioned by

Spike Lee

, who disagrees with

Jim Jarmusch

's statement that scripts are not literature.

Highest 2 Lowest with Spike Lee and Jim Jarmusch (Ep. 558)

Mentioned by

Karina Longworth

as one of the great novels about the movie business, written by Budd Schulberg.

83: The Blacklist Part 13: On the Waterfront: Elia Kazan

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

as a novel about ambition and success in Hollywood.

Ryan and Comic Pete Holmes Talk Work-Life Balance and Why Joy Matters

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

in the context of ambition and its meaninglessness when lacking purpose.

Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and Sportswriter Kate Fagan Talk About Stoicism in Sports

Mentioned by

Ben Stiller

as a novel he wanted to adapt about a conniving, amoral striver in Hollywood.

Ben Stiller on 'Severance,' Selling Out and Being Jewish Today [Re-Run]

Mentioned by

Ryan Holiday

as a novel encapsulating the Stoic attitude towards ambition.

Mentioned when contrasting pure and self-interested ambition.

What Kind of Ambition To Have

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