Samantha McLemore on Longevity Risk Management

In Richer, Wiser, Happier, William Green draws on interviews conducted over twenty-five years with many of the world’s greatest investors. The book highlights that the most successful investors are mavericks and iconoclasts who question conventional wisdom and think rationally, rigorously, and objectively. They maximize their odds of long-term success in markets and life by drawing insights from diverse fields such as neuroscience, economic history, psychology, philosophy, and more. Green explains how these investors can teach us not only how to become rich but also how to improve our thinking, decision-making, risk assessment, and resilience, and how to turn uncertainty to our advantage.

In 'The Psychology of Money,' Morgan Housel delves into the psychological and emotional aspects of financial decisions. The book consists of 19 short stories that illustrate how personal history, worldview, emotions, and biases influence financial outcomes. Housel emphasizes the importance of behavior over knowledge in managing money, highlighting the power of compounding, the dangers of greed, and the pursuit of happiness beyond mere wealth accumulation. He advocates for a frugal lifestyle, long-term perspective, and a balanced approach to investing, stressing that financial success is more about mindset and discipline than about technical financial knowledge.

The story revolves around Morgan Snow, a career sex therapist at the Butterfield Institute, who becomes entangled in a murder investigation when one of her clients, Cleo Thane, an expensive call girl, goes missing. NYPD detective Noah Jordain seeks Morgan's advice, and as the investigation unfolds, Morgan finds herself dressing as a call girl to get close to the suspects. The plot involves ritualistic murders, a tell-all biography, and a complex web of powerful men with motives to kill Cleo. The novel explores themes of dual identities and the blurred lines between therapy and prostitution.

Written by Benjamin Graham, 'The Intelligent Investor' is a seminal work on value investing that has inspired millions since its original publication in 1949. The book emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between investing and speculation, calculating the intrinsic value of companies, and maintaining a margin of safety. The revised edition includes updated commentary by Jason Zweig, who provides modern examples and insights to help readers apply Graham's principles in today's market. Warren Buffett, a disciple of Graham, has praised the book as 'the best book about investing ever written'.

In this book, Pema Chödrön offers life-changing tools for transforming suffering and negative patterns into habitual ease and boundless joy. Drawing from traditional Buddhist wisdom, she advises moving toward painful situations with friendliness and curiosity, rather than trying to escape them. The book emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty, impermanence, and groundlessness, and provides practical advice for dealing with difficult emotions like fear, anger, and sadness. Chödrön encourages readers to stay present with their feelings and to cultivate nonaggression and compassion, leading to deeper healing and understanding.

In this book, Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams delve into the nature of hope through intimate and thought-provoking dialogue. Drawing on decades of Goodall's work, the book addresses vital questions about maintaining hope in challenging times. It outlines Goodall's 'Four Reasons for Hope': The Amazing Human Intellect, The Resilience of Nature, The Power of Young People, and The Indomitable Human Spirit. The book also shares Goodall's personal journey, from her experiences during World War II to her years in Gombe and her role as a global advocate for environmental justice, including her profound revelations about her next and perhaps final adventure.

In 'Principles: Life and Work', Ray Dalio shares the principles he has developed over his career that have helped him achieve success. The book is divided into three sections: the first section explains how Dalio's principles were formed from his personal and professional experiences; the second section outlines life principles, such as embracing reality, being radically open-minded, and understanding the importance of pain and reflection in personal growth; and the third section focuses on work principles, including the use of radical truth and radical transparency to transform an organization. Dalio advocates for systematizing decision-making into algorithms, learning from failures, and building a culture where it is okay to make mistakes but unacceptable not to learn from them.

In 'My American Journey', Colin Powell recounts his life story, from his childhood as the son of Jamaican immigrants in Harlem to his distinguished military and political career. The book explores themes of overcoming racism, military strategy, and personal responsibility, offering a unique perspective on American history and politics. Powell's experiences include serving in Vietnam, the Pentagon, Panama, and Desert Storm, providing a firsthand account of significant historical events.