A Book with Legs

Interested in the Smead Capital Management book list? Listen in to hear Cole and Bill Smead list the books they have recently read, what they’re currently reading, and the books they have on deck. Have a book you would like to recommend for the podcast? Email your suggestions to podcast@smeadcap.com.

In this episode, author and Professor Ekaterina Pravilova joins Cole Smead to discuss her book, “The Ruble: A Political History.” Ekaterina’s book explores the evolution of the Russian currency over a 200-year time period through the interplay between politics, culture, and ultimately, power. Their conversation covers financial turmoil, currency reforms, and an extensive discussion of Ruble’s story.

In this episode, author and historian Harold James joins Cole Smead to discuss his book, “Seven Crashes: The Economic Crises That Shaped Globalization.” Their discussion delves into major economic downturns throughout history, offering insights into their causes, impacts, and reforms to prevent future crises.

In this episode, author Chris Roush joins Cole Smead to discuss his book, "The Future of Business Journalism," which explores the evolving media landscape and its impact on business reporting. Roush navigates the challenges and opportunities facing business journalists in an era of technological disruption and shifting audience demands.

Live from the 2024 Smead Investor Oasis, venture capitalist George Gilder joins Bill and Cole Smead to discuss his latest work, "Life after Capitalism," in which he redefines capitalism as a knowledge-based system. Gilder presents a vision of the future in which technological advances disrupt traditional capitalist structures, emphasizing innovation and knowledge over wealth accumulation.

In this episode, Professor Andrew Pettegree joins Cole to discuss his newly released title, "The Book at War." The book is a captivating analysis of the power of print in society and conflicts throughout history. At the heart of this literary work is the paradox of words during wartime. The notion that books are weapons in the war of ideas is tested in this account on how the written word leaves a lasting impact on the fabric of societies.

In this episode, retired U.S. Army general David Petraeus joins Bill and Cole to discuss the recently released book that he co -authored titled, "Conflict." The book explores the evolution of warfare beginning in 1945 up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the importance of strategic leadership. Ultimately, that idea that what takes place in one part of the world does actually resonate or reverberate in others is critical.

Interested in the Smead Capital Management book list? Listen in to hear Cole and Bill Smead list the books they have recently read, what they’re currently reading, and the books they have on deck.Also highlighted in this episode is a tribute to the late great Charlie Munger, as we release this episode on what would have been his 100th birthday. Listen to Bill and Cole's top quotes and ideas from Munger and hear about how his history has influenced them as value-investing gurus.Have a book you would like to recommend for the podcast? Email your suggestions to podcast@smeadcap.com.

"What about our system of liberal meritocratic capitalism is good and useful? What about it is worth preserving, expanding and fixing, so that we can be prepared for the challenges that are coming?" Professor Vikash Yadav joins Cole to discuss his book, "Liberalism's Last Man". The book explores the elements of one of the great economic thinkers and philosophers of the 20th century — Friedrich Hayek — that are still relevant and viable today. The conversation focuses on the evolution of liberalism and its influence on human flourishing.

“If you read it, you will realize that many of the arguments being made against American capitalism are invalid. You will realize that this country of ours is even greater than you think.” Senator Phil Gramm joins Cole to discuss his book, The Myth of American Inequality. Gramm’s book explores the data which prove income inequality in the United States is far lower than what most Americans are led to believe. The conversation covers the statistics that support Gramm’s position and how the American Dream remains strong.