As we head to the beach for a much-needed break, we wanted to share with you our team’s top summer reading recommendations, as we do every summer.
Given the recent political, economic, and social turmoil in the news, we believe it’s more important than ever to remain informed and curious about the complex nature of our world, whether in terms of politics, investing, or society in general.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant flow of global news, but taking the time to step back and think is more important now than ever.
We want to encourage every one of our clients to dedicate some time to reading a small (but never definitive!) list of books, both recent and less recent, that offer the keys to understanding today’s world and, who knows, perhaps even tomorrow’s.
Happy reading and enjoy your summer from the Moneyfarm team.
Value(s): The must-read book on how to fix our politics, economics and values – Mark Carney – William Collins
During his time as a G7 central banker and seven years spent as Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney witnessed the collapse of public trust in elites, globalisation, and technology; the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the existential threat of the growing climate emergency. Drawing on a truly international perspective to our greatest problems, the book will help arm the best in business, finance and government, and disarm the worst.
The Power of Geography: Ten Maps That Reveal the Future of Our World – Tim Marshall – Elliot & Thompson
Delivered with Marshall’s trademark wit and insight, this is a lucid and gripping exploration of the power of geography to shape humanity’s past, present – and future. In this book, the author explores ten regions that are set to shape global politics in a new age of great-power rivalry: Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Greece, Turkey, the Sahel, Ethiopia, Spain and Space.
Can’t we just print more money? Economics in ten simple questions – Rupal Patel, Jack Meaning, The Bank of England – Penguin
Whether you’re buying lunch, looking for a job, or applying for a mortgage, the thing we call ‘the economy’ is going to set the terms. A pity, then, that many of us have no idea how the economy actually works. That’s where this book comes in. With each chapter tackling a different question, the Bank of England’s team take you inside their halls to explain what economics can – and can’t – teach us about the world.
The Big Four: The Curious Past and Perilous Future of the Global Accounting Monopoly – Ian D. Gow, Stuart Kells – Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Across the globe, the so-called Big Four accounting and audit firms – Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and KPMG – are massively influential. Stretching back centuries, their history is a fascinating story of wealth, power and luck. But today, the Big Four face an uncertain future. Both colourful and authoritative, this account of the past, present and likely future of the Big Four is an essential read.
Billion Dollar Whale: the bestselling investigation into the financial fraud of the century – Tom Wright, Bradley Hope – Scribe UK
In 2015, rumours began circulating that billions of dollars had been stolen from a Malaysian investment fund. The mastermind of the heist was twenty-seven-year-old Jho Low. This book reveals how this silver-tongued con man, a ‘modern Gatsby’, emerged from obscurity to pull off one of the most audacious financial heists the world has ever seen.
Flash Boys – Michael Lewis – Penguin
This book, No. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2014, is an investigation into the phenomenon of high-frequency trading (HFT) in the US financial market. Lewis recounts the outrageous story of the multi-millionaires and whizz kids who scammed the banking system in the blink of an eye – and the whistleblowers who tried to stop them. It’s hilarious, terrifying and it’s all true.
Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire – Andrew Wilkinson – Matt Holt Books
By the age of 36, Andrew Wilkinson had built a business worth over a billion dollars, but his path to success was anything but a straight line. Never Enough shares both the lessons Wilkinson has learned as well as the many mistakes made on the road to wealth. In this rare and deeply honest glimpse into the life of the super-rich, Wilkinson examines not only his journey to nine zeros but also what comes after that pinnacled number – something, as Wilkinson has come to realise, that money can’t buy.
The Price of Tomorrow: Why Deflation is the Key to an Abundant Future – Jeff Booth – Stanley Press
We live in an extraordinary time. Technological advances are happening at a rate faster than our ability to understand them, and in a world that moves faster than we can imagine, we cannot afford to stand still. Jeff Booth, a leading mind and CEO in e-commerce and technology for 20 years, details the technological and economic realities shaping our present and our future, and the choices we face as we go forward—a potentially alarming, but deeply hopeful situation.
Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman – Yvon Chouinard – Penguin
Legendary climber, businessman, environmentalist, and founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard shares the persistence and courage that have gone into being head of one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies on earth. Let My People Go Surfing is the story of a man who brought doing good and having grand adventures into the heart of his business life-a book that will deeply affect entrepreneurs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
The Truths We Hold: An American Journey – Kamala Harris – Penguin Books
With less than 100 days until the American elections, it might be interesting to return to Kamala Harris’ autobiography. The past weeks have been particularly intense and dramatic for the United States: from Donald Trump’s attempted murder and the withdrawal from the presidential race of the current US President Joe Biden to the candidacy of his deputy Kamala Harris, the 49th vice president of the United States
*As with all investing, financial instruments involve inherent risks, including loss of capital, market fluctuations and liquidity risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. It is important to consider your risk tolerance and investment objectives before proceeding.
