Edited by Margie Kelley

20+ Years of Urban Rebuilding: Lessons from the Revival of Lower Manhattan after 9/11
By Patrice Derrington (MBA 1991) and Rosemary Scanlon (PMD 42, 1981)
Routledge
Following the destruction of the World Trade Center and the surrounding area of Lower Manhattan from the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, there were many heroic and extensive efforts to rebuild this iconic urban area in New York City. Political accomplishments, economic recovery, and community rehabilitation were urgent and important concerns and were continually monitored and debated. Supporting this progress and restoration of the critical infrastructure and built environment, however, was a vast and varied gathering of legislative bodies, public institutions, interest groups, and private individuals and entities. This book commences with a damage assessment of the immediate aftermath of the attack, describing the extent of destruction to the physical environment―buildings, public places, subway and train stations, roads and sidewalks―and the adverse consequences for the metropolitan economy, local businesses, communities, and families. Then, the long route to recovery is presented, from early visionary intentions through brilliant leadership that confronted daunting bureaucratic procedures, to community voices achieving significant outcomes and eventually to an effective and exemplary partnership of public and private interests, that has produced the current vibrant urban center of downtown New York 23 years later. Of particular interest to researchers, students, and practitioners of urban development and planning, 20+ Years of Urban Rebuilding contributes to current research on the urban development crisis by focusing on the unique features in rebuilding urban centers following an unforeseen event of major devastation.

The Business of Secrets: Adventures in Selling Encryption Around the World
By Fred Kinch (MBA 1965)
Independently Published
What was it like to sell cryptographic equipment post WWII, after the era of Alan Turing and the Enigma machine? Join the author as he markets more modern equipment to the “CIAs” and “NSAs” of some 80 countries around the world, gaining trust where the first instinct is to trust no one, especially someone from the U.S. In this intriguing world, learn about the relationships between intelligence organizations and who they really consider a trustworthy ally and friend. Walk beside Kinch as he faces challenges and adventures that are sometimes dangerous and scary and sometimes humorous and fun. Laugh, cry, and experience fear as the author navigates his way through these situations, eventually overcoming the odds to make his company successful.

The Best Chapter: Keeping It Real As We Get Older
By Teri Martin (MBA 1980)
NFI Publishing
Through a series of short and quick vignettes, the author lightheartedly shares her views, tips, and advice on growing older with curiosity, strength, consistency, and kindness. With personal insights on how to turn getting older into life’s best chapter, the book provides useful and practical tips and guidance to embrace and celebrate the richness of life, one day at a time.

Bringing Adam Smith into the American Home: The Case Against Homeownership
By Jack Ryan (MBA 1984) and John Tamny
Post Hill Press
In Bringing Adam Smith into the American Home, authors Jack Ryan and John Tamny make a powerful case that the purchase of a home slows wealth attainment—rendering owners immobile in ways that further restrain their wealth chances—and that the act of homeownership deprives owners of the time and ability to do what they do best, which further dampens individual economic achievement. Thanks to the “residential real estate pricing cartel,” the authors say homeownership has become so costly that it has erected wildly expensive barriers to the very mobility that powers so much individual prosperity. As the cartel prospers, homebuyers and sellers alike suffer its rigidity. Ryan and Tamny call for the evisceration of realtor commissions—the only price in all of capitalism that has not come down over the decades, despite capitalism’s brilliant track record of bringing down the price of everything. Ryan, owner of a national residential realty business, recognizes that the very commissions realtors cling to are paradoxically harming them, all the while discreetly but powerfully shrinking prosperity for everyone else. In a book full of insights from Adam Smith, author of the greatest economics book ever written, Ryan and Tamny make their highly original argument available for all as they reveal the truth about the housing market and homeownership.

Building a Sustainable Family Office: An Insider’s Guide to What Works and What Doesn’t
By Scott Saslow (MBA 1997)
River Grove Books
Family offices are business entities built to primarily support a family’s wealth. Several trillions of dollars of wealth are concentrated in a small number of these offices globally. But often, family offices are not successfully passed on from one generation to another, creating disruption for family members, the ecosystem of providers, and broader society. Scott Saslow is a family office principal who has experienced the building—and rebuilding—of his family office many times. Along with the expertise of dozens of family office principals and top service professionals, Saslow shows how to: identify a unique and compelling purpose for the family office, which engages the next generation; manage some of the interpersonal challenges inherent when working with family members; create high performance family offices that make a difference for family and the broader society. Written for both the new and experienced family office principal, Building a Sustainable Family Office will inform and inspire with an insider’s view of the opportunities and challenges of building a family office that lasts.

Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math
By Shalinee Sharma (MBA 2005)
Avery
Shalinee Sharma is one of the world’s top experts on math learning, but when she was in school, she sat in the back row, unsure if she could ever master the subject. Many of us buy into the idea that some people are innately good at math and others just won’t ever succeed at it—but it’s not true, and numeracy is as important as literacy when it comes to opening doors in life. Sharma shows how complex problem-solving and puzzle-solving, abstract and logical thinking, developing fluency with numbers, and cultivating persistence in math are crucial skills for success that can be taught to everyone. Math, far from being a dry, dull exercise, shares common ground with art and creativity. She also debunks the myths that prevent us from learning and enjoying math, with chapters dedicated to the three roadblocks that discourage adults and kids from learning. With instructive line drawings throughout, Sharma explains the math instinct that all humans have from birth, and better, more intuitive ways to solve math problems that are both rigorous and accessible. For anyone who has ever thought you’re “bad at math” but wants to get good—for your children and for yourself—Math Mind contains the guidance, takeaways, and specific approaches you need to learn to love numbers.

Amy Unbound
By Martin Sneider (MBA 1968)
Jewish Leaders Books
Amy Feldman is at the epicenter of a storm as she confronts the indifference of her husband, Josh, whose personal demons and career obsession threaten to shatter their marriage. Fueled by her determination to liberate herself from an unfulfilling union, Amy bids farewell to her position at a prestigious St. Louis law firm and redirects her passion toward social justice, igniting her transformative odyssey. In the heart of the Chicago Alliance for Social Justice, Amy’s commitment to her newfound purpose strains family ties. As she immerses herself in exciting new opportunities, both professional and intimate, Josh grapples with the harsh reality that their marriage hangs by a thread. In a desperate bid to salvage what remains, he concocts a clever ploy to mend the rift with Amy. Yet, Amy, now discovering fulfillment and a burgeoning new love, stands at a crossroads. The question looms large: Will Amy sacrifice her newfound career and romance, or will she be drawn back into the safe and potentially loving marriage with Josh, her best friend and lover since college? In Amy Unbound, you will witness the collision of love, ambition, family, and commitment as one extraordinary woman navigates the complex journey toward personal and professional fulfillment. The emotional landscape is tumultuous and the stakes are high in this exploration of Amy’s unrelenting pursuit of happiness in this thrilling second installment of the Feldman Family Saga.

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