Fred Studemann

Trapped in the middle of a new world disorder [FREE TO READ] From a capricious White House to chilling parallels with a previous global conflict, three books analyse this moment of churn and change in international affairs

“We are all Canadians now …”

FT Books essay by @billemmott.bsky.social on navigating a world churned upside down.

as.ft.com/r/0adad367-7... Trapped in the middle of a new world disorder

Streetwise — Lloyd Blankfein’s memoir of his turbulent time at Goldman Sachs [FREE TO READ] The former chief delivers a sharp insider’s guide to the boom and bust era of financial services that took the shine off the investment bank

“I was not, and am not, a naturally deferential person” - from Lloyd Blankfein memoir of his journey from a Brooklyn housing project to the top of Goldman. Read John Gapper review of “a sharp insider’s guide” to an era when finance spun out of control 👇

as.ft.com/r/1c4521df-6...

When F Scott Fitzgerald’s Christmas wish came true The Pat Hobby stories about a washed-up writer in Hollywood were written to make money fast — they are also the final flowering of his eccentric genius

When F Scott Fitzgerald’s Christmas wish came true ft.trib.al/4HmvtAy

Atomic Albion by Tom Bolton — a brutal, beautiful journey [FREE TO READ] A richly illuminating tour of Britain’s 16 nuclear power stations, among the most costly and complex things ever built by humankind

“as richly illuminating of their times as the Norman castles whose domineering bulk they evoke”

Britain’s nuclear power plants as you probably did not imagine them …

as.ft.com/r/1488fe76-e... Atomic Albion by Tom Bolton — a brutal, beautiful journey

Capitalism: A Global History — the accumulation machine [FREE TO READ] Sven Beckert’s epic history of trade identifies the ceaseless generation of wealth as the driving force behind capitalism’s success

Accumulate, accumulate … John Kay in top form here as he reviews Sven Beckert’s monumental history of capitalism. Well worth reading

as.ft.com/r/5f81aec2-5... Capitalism: A Global History — the accumulation machine

Carole King — the genius and hard-won wisdom of a great American singer-songwriter Jane Eisner’s compelling, compassionate biography explores the forces that shaped the artist behind ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow?’

Carole King — the genius and hard-won wisdom of a great American singer-songwriter on.ft.com/4pdAlDn

The best books of the year 2025 From economics, politics and history to science, art, food and, of course, fiction — our annual round-up brings you top titles picked by FT writers and critics

It’s here! Our annual, bumper FT round-up of the best reads of the year - from economics and food to history and fiction and so much more - as selected by our critics and editors.

Lots to inspire the mind, lift the spirits and make you smile.

on.ft.com/4nYjkeU The best books of the year 2025

Hungary’s László Krasznahorkai wins Nobel literature prize [FREE TO READ] Dystopian novelist recognised for his ‘compelling and visionary oeuvre’ in the central European tradition of Franz Kafka

European modernism reaches new heights …. Hungary’s László Krasznahorkai wins Nobel literature prize

on.ft.com/4mVpHPC Hungary’s László Krasznahorkai wins Nobel literature prize

Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction 2025 shortlist — from terrorism to Tennyson [FREE TO READ] Judges celebrate the breadth of a list characterised by ‘candour and courage’

From terrorism to Tennyson - and the journey of a lone wolf across Europe and more …. a broad inspiring range of subjects on the shortlist for this year’s Baillie Gifford Prize. Our FT report (with links on to our reviews)

on.ft.com/4o0J8HV

Established novelists dominate a Gen-X Booker Prize shortlist [FREE TO READ] The 2025 award is notable for shortlisting proven names and for the absence of debut fiction or small independent publishers

The Booker shortlist has landed!

on.ft.com/3ICMbqu Established novelists dominate a Gen-X Booker Prize shortlist

Odyssey without end — why the classics are as relevant as ever Ancient Greek and Roman stories in all their modern retellings and Hollywood adaptations remain powerful guides to our political systems and personal lives

Odyssey without end — why the classics are as relevant as ever https://on.ft.com/3TB5qTq

The perils and promise of our new nuclear age [FREE TO READ] As net zero goals revive the push for atomic power, could it light the way or lead to disaster? Three timely books explore the possibilities

Time to consider the nuclear option? Jonathan Ford assesses the prospects for atomic power in an age of net zero. This week’s FT Weekend Books essay 👇

on.ft.com/4klJfeQ The perils and promise of our new nuclear age

See!

Summer books 2025: the best titles of the year so far From politics, economics and history to art, food and, of course, fiction — FT writers and critics choose their favourite reads of the year so far

And we’re off! Our Summer Books - the best reads of the year so far, as chosen by FT critics and specialists from economics and poetry to food & drink; tech and fiction to thrillers and history and much more. Happy reading!

Summer books 2025: the best titles of the year so far on.ft.com/4n41ZCa

Absolutely - and a great film

Not that I’m aware. Most recent book A Cold Eye: Notes from a Shared Island (which I think you might find interesting, but probs already know?) - was a more general talk with, given the day it is, a lot about fathers

Carlo Gebler recalling his Stakhanovite mother, Edna O’Brien, her “Colette-esque responsiveness” and experimenting with LSD - great way to kick off the day at the #dbf2025 in Dalkey at - where else - Finnegans

Christopher Maclehose - Harvill’s 1990s boss - has actually continued that with his subsequent imprints. The tradition lives on!

🧐

International Booker Prize 2025 - and the winners are …

Now now

Novelist Daniel Kehlmann: ‘I wanted to write about complicity’ [FREE TO READ] The Austrian-German writer’s new novel The Director explores totalitarianism through a fictionalised account of the Nazi-era filmmaker GW Pabst. It couldn’t be more timely

“I hate it when people compare things to Kafka. I’ve written dramas about Kafka - but this really is Kafka!”

Daniel Kehlmann on border troubles and other parallels between Trump’s America and his novel, The Director

on.ft.com/4klqGrt Novelist Daniel Kehlmann: ‘I wanted to write about complicity’

How Nvidia became the driving force behind the AI revolution [FREE TO READ] Two books chart the rise of the chipmaker via its ‘benevolent dictator’ Jensen Huang and an early gamble on deep learning

How Nvidia became the driving force behind the AI revolution on.ft.com/3ElNdFr - brilliant analysis and context from the FT’s own @tim.fo

Five books to boost your understanding of tariffs and trade wars [FREE TO READ] As tariffs escalate, FT specialists recommend titles that explain the forces and ideas shaping trade policy in recent decades, including President Trump’s trade war

Trying to understand just what is going on in all things trade and tariffs? Some of the FT’s finest minds share their tips on some of the best books to read

Five books to boost your understanding of tariffs and trade wars on.ft.com/4cvrW8F

(And a pub near our new/old office favoured by a fair number of the younger colleagues …)

Simon Schama on John & Paul — a wonderful Beatles love story [FREE TO READ] Thought there was nothing more to know about Lennon and McCartney? Ian Leslie’s fine book reanimates the power and joy of their creative partnership

Another Beatles book? (Eye-roll.) Honestly, do we need it? Yes we do, when it’s as revelatory as Ian Leslie’s ‘John & Paul’ - Simon Schama on a wonderful Beatles love story on.ft.com/41JDC2O

How America weaponised the world’s economy [FREE TO READ] Two books chart how Washington has come to depend on both its economic might and the dollar’s dominance in tackling rogue states and geopolitical rivals

Top dollar: how the greenback has underpinned US global economic hegemony. But how much longer? Max Harris in top form in this week’s FT Books essay.

How America weaponised the world’s economy on.ft.com/4kUJFtY

Some real gems here - from @johnthornhill.bsky.social on Alex Karp’s vision of a better tech future and Lionel Shriver’s celebration of Curtis Sittenfeld’s short story collection, the realities of our manufactured world and lots, lots more. Read on

Nation at a crossroads: a reading guide to the 2025 German election [FREE TO READ] As the country goes to the polls, writers explore, in fiction and non-fiction, its identity and values — and where these suggest it is heading

While you wait for the results to come in, some recommendations of what to read on Germany today

Nation at a crossroads: a reading guide to the 2025 German election on.ft.com/4gWs5Tc

Thinking the unthinkable on Germany going nuclear [FREE TO READ] The security debate is changing with calls for country to pull its weight militarily

Found this piece I wrote some years back, around the time of another ‘eventful’ Munich Security Conference … Sadly, seems to have acquired new relevance.

on.ft.com/4k6RBbh