Andrew Carnegie (Part 2)

This book details the almost two-year struggle for survival of the 28-man crew of the Endurance, which was beset and eventually crushed by ice floes in the Weddell Sea during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-1917. The crew drifted on ice floes, salvaged lifeboats, and eventually reached Elephant Island. Shackleton then led a perilous journey to South Georgia Island to secure rescue, culminating in one of the most remarkable survival stories in history. Lansing's narrative is based on extensive research, including interviews with surviving crew members and access to their diaries and personal accounts.

In 'Zero to One,' Peter Thiel argues that true innovation comes from creating something entirely new, going from 'zero to one,' rather than incrementally improving existing ideas. He emphasizes the importance of vertical progress through technology and the benefits of monopoly in driving innovation. Thiel also discusses the need for long-term planning, the importance of finding the right co-founders, and the power law in startup success. The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think critically and aim big to build the future.

David Nasaw's biography of Andrew Carnegie is a meticulously researched and engaging account of Carnegie's life. The book delves into Carnegie's early fortune, his involvement in the steel industry, and his later philanthropic efforts, including his campaigns against American involvement in the Spanish-American War and for international peace. Nasaw uses a trove of new material, including unpublished chapters of Carnegie's Autobiography, personal letters, and extensive correspondence with notable figures, to paint a balanced and robust portrait of Carnegie. The biography places Carnegie's life in cultural and political context, highlighting his contradictions as a ruthless businessman and a generous philanthropist.