Book 22: A Short History of San Francisco
San Francisco is an exciting city. It’s in the heart of Silicon Valley, the most innovative place on the planet; it’s central to the American LGBT+ rights movement; and it’s home to vibrant art, entertainment, and food. I am a San Francisco resident from now until August 20th. A Short History of San Francisco should serve me well in my mission to know as much – or more than – a San Francisco local (a difficult task indeed).
Book 23: This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate
The president recently announced that America is withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, a historic achievement that aligned virtually all nations to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. This decision is disastrous for American leadership, our economy, and the planet. In This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate, Naomi Klein examines the dangers of climate change and how short-sighted economic interests distort our discourse on this critical issue. Additionally, Klein endorses a transformation of our political and economic systems to address the changing climate.
Book 24: Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right
Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right inspects money’s corrupting influence on our politics and how billionaire plutocrats have radically transformed GOP orthodoxy. Jane Mayer meticulously investigates who these billionaire right-wing ideologues are, what they want, and how they have forever changed American democracy. This book is important because our politics is broken and understanding a probable cause of that gets us one step closer to a remedy.
Book 25: The Way of the Shepherd: 7 Ancient Secrets to Managing Productive People
A former teacher of mine recommended The Way of the Shepherd: 7 Ancient Secrets to Managing Productive People. It’s a contemporary parable about leadership. It specifically focuses on how leaders can cultivate those around them. I’m a firm believer you can never go wrong reading books about leadership because we need more leaders and development of the self and those around you is important.
Book 26: The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk
The final book of the month is important for two reasons: first, I’m living in San Francisco; second, June is LGBT+ Pride month. The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk is a biography about Harvey Milk, the first openly-gay elected official in the United States. His early advocacy for LGBT+ rights, tragic assassination and subsequent martyrdom make Milk a pivotal figure in America’s LGBT+ history and its struggle for equality.
That’s it for June. I hope you’ll be reading with me!