This book tells the dramatic story of Wilbur and Orville Wright, two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio, who changed history by inventing the first powered, heavier-than-air aircraft. David McCullough paints a rich picture of the brothers’ intelligence, determination, and strong familial bonds. Despite lacking formal engineering education, they persevered through relentless experimentation and sharp business instincts. The narrative highlights their exceptional courage, intellectual curiosity, and mechanical ingenuity, as well as the broader historical and societal context in which they worked. McCullough also reflects on the darker implications of their invention and its impact on the world.
Master of Precision is a firsthand account of Henry M. Leland's life and contributions to the early days of the automobile industry. Leland was a key figure in establishing Detroit as the automobile capital of the world, best known for founding Cadillac and Lincoln. The book explores his dedication to precision manufacturing and his impact on the industry.
In this landmark biography, Andrew Roberts provides a deeply personal and historically rich portrait of Winston Churchill. With exclusive access to new material such as transcripts of War Cabinet meetings, diaries, letters, and unpublished memoirs from Churchill's contemporaries, Roberts reveals the hidden forces behind Churchill's legendary drive. The book explores Churchill's life in detail, from his early years to his leadership during World War II, highlighting his courage, tenacity, leadership, and moral conviction. It also discusses his complex relationships, including his interactions with King George VI and Franklin Roosevelt, and evaluates his legacy in the context of modern leadership challenges.
This book is a rich, panoramic story of four generations of the Morgan family and their secretive firms that transformed the modern financial world. It traces the trajectory of J.P. Morgan’s empire from its obscure beginnings in Victorian London to the financial crisis of 1987. Chernow explores the family’s private saga, their involvement in major infrastructure projects, their influence on foreign policy, and their relationships with prominent figures like Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, Franklin Roosevelt, Nancy Astor, and Winston Churchill. The book is a masterpiece of financial history, awarded the 1990 National Book Award for Nonfiction and selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 Best Nonfiction Books of the Twentieth Century.
Robert Wilson's biography of P.T. Barnum explores the life of the founder of American entertainment, from his early ventures to his creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. The book delves into Barnum's controversies, philanthropy, and his role in shaping American culture. Wilson presents a nuanced view of Barnum, highlighting his relentless energy and commitment to entertaining audiences.
This book provides a meticulous and engaging narrative of Henry Ford's life and his impact on the early twentieth century through the invention of the Model T. It explores how Ford's innovations revolutionized American industry and created a cycle of consumerism that still influences society today. The book also delves into Ford's personal journey, from his early days as a Michigan farm boy to his rise as a national hero and beyond.
In 'My Life in Advertising,' Claude C. Hopkins shares his extensive experience and insights gained from over three decades in the advertising industry. The book is a blend of autobiography and practical guide, offering timeless principles on effective advertising. Hopkins emphasizes the importance of understanding the consumer, using specific and definite claims, and testing advertising strategies. He also discusses his methods for creating successful ad campaigns, including the use of free samples, the appeal of personalities over corporations, and the necessity of focusing on the consumer's needs rather than the advertiser's pride in their products. Despite being written in 1927, the book's principles remain relevant today, making it a valuable resource for anyone in the advertising and marketing fields.
Reluctant Genius is a biography that explores the life of Alexander Graham Bell, highlighting his inventions and personal relationships, particularly with his wife Mabel. The book delves into Bell's obsessive nature and his contributions to technology and society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Hour of Fate explores the pivotal clash between Theodore Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan, focusing on the Northern Securities case and the anthracite coal strike of 1902. These events marked significant milestones in the battle to regulate big business and establish labor rights in America. The book provides a nuanced portrayal of both men, highlighting their contrasting views on capitalism and government oversight.
This book is a brilliant biography of the young Theodore Roosevelt, covering his life from 1869 to 1886. It explores his struggle with asthma, his family's influence, and his transformation into a robust and determined individual. The narrative delves into the Roosevelt family's history, their social context, and the pivotal moments in American history that shaped Theodore's life. McCullough's work is based on extensive research, including thousands of letters from the Roosevelt family, providing a deep insight into the life of a well-to-do Victorian American family and the formative years of one of America's most iconic presidents.
Lawrence Goldstone's "Birdman" provides a comprehensive account of the Wright brothers, Glenn Curtiss, and their pivotal roles in the early days of aviation. The book delves into the technological innovations, rivalries, and business battles that shaped the industry's development. It explores the Wright brothers' pioneering work, Curtiss's significant contributions, and the intense competition between them. Goldstone's narrative highlights the challenges and triumphs of early flight, offering insights into the personalities and motivations of these key figures. The book also examines the broader context of the era, including the social and technological advancements that fueled the aviation revolution. The narrative concludes by emphasizing the lasting impact of these individuals on the future of flight.
Candice Millard's "The River of Doubt" recounts Theodore Roosevelt's perilous journey down the uncharted River of Doubt in the Amazon. The book details the physical and mental hardships faced by Roosevelt and his team, highlighting their resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Millard masterfully weaves together historical accounts, personal diaries, and scientific research to create a gripping narrative. The expedition's challenges and near-death experiences underscore Roosevelt's adventurous spirit and his ability to overcome obstacles. The book offers a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in Roosevelt's life and the exploration of the Amazon.
What I learned from reading Birdmen: The Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, and the Battle to Control the Skies by Lawrence Goldstone.
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[1:07] The Wright Brothers (Founders #239)
[3:47] Avoid any activity that distracts you from improving the quality of your product and the quality of your business.
[5:58] Completely self-taught, he made spectacular intellectual leaps to solve a series of intractable problems that had alluded some of history's most brilliant men.
[9:46] The Wright-Curtiss feud was at its core a study of the unique strengths and flaws of personality that define a clash of brilliant minds. Neither Glenn Curtiss nor Wilbur Wright ever came to understand his own limits, that luminescent intelligence in one area of human endeavor does not preclude gross incompetence in another. And because genius often requires arrogance, both men continuously repeated their blunders.
[13:38] P.T. Barnum: An American Life (Founders #137)
[13:49] John Moisant had three failed attempts to overthrow the government of El Salvador.
[17:44] Master of Precision: Henry Leland (Founders#128)
[19:32] Sacrifices must be made.
[20:18] The science of flight has attracted the greatest minds in history—Aristotle, Archimedes, Leonardo, and Newton, —but achieving the goal stumped all of them.
[23:19] If you go back a few hundred years, what we take for granted today would seem like magic-being able to talk to people over long distances, to transmit images, flying, accessing vast amounts of data like an oracle. These are all things that would have been considered magic a few hundred years ago. —Elon Musk
[23:57] If the process was to move forward with any efficiency, experimenters would need some means to separate what seemed to work from what seemed not to–data and results would have to be shared. The man who most appreciated that need was someone who, while not producing a single design that resulted in flight, was arguably the most important person to participate in its gestation.
[28:46] He found his first breakthrough by doing the exact opposite of his competitor.
[30:08] The Chief: The Life of William Randolph Hearst (Founders #145)
[39:04] His passion was speed. He had tremendous endurance, he was never a quitter, and he would do anything to win.
[42:25] My Life in Advertising by Claude Hopkins (Founders #170)
[43:46] No lead is insurmountable if you stop running before you've reached the finish line.
[47:03] Reluctant Genius: The Passionate Life and Inventive Mind of Alexander Graham Bell (Founders #138)
[47:05] The Hour of Fate: Theodore Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan, and the Battle to Transform American Capitalism (Founders #142)
Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt (Founders #156)
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey (Founders #175)
[47:40] Never underestimate your opponent. It’s all downside, no upside. Churchill (Founders #225)
[57:05] He saw competition as a destructive, inefficient force and favored large-scale combination as the cure. Once, when the manager of the Moet and Chandon wine company complained about industry problems, J.P. suggested he buy up the entire champagne country. — The House of Morgan: An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance (Founders #139)
[1:00:05] Find people who are great at selling your product and hire them.
[1:06:55] He was driven by an uncontrollable desire for adventure and wealth, and almost an adolescent need to be seen as a swashbuckling hero.
[1:07:45] John was left desperate for an outlet for his obsessive audacity.
[1:13:57] The McCormick's were used to making terms, not acquiescing to them.
[1:19:15] Wilbur never seemed to grasp that his crusade to destroy his nemesis could destroy him.
[1:20:00] I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. —Steve Jobs
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested, so my poor wallet suffers.” — Gareth
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast
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