1873: The Rothschilds, the First Great Depression, and the Making of the Modern World (Liaquat Ahamed)

In 1873: The Rothschilds, the First Great Depression, and the Making of the Modern World, author Liaquat Ahamed offers an engaging account of the financial panic that reshaped the global economy in the late nineteenth century. Focusing on the crash of 1873 and its long aftermath, he argues that this crisis was the first truly global economic downturn, linking events in Europe, the United States, and North Africa through expanding networks of finance and trade.

The Panics of 1873 (the use of “panics” is intentional since there were several stock market selloffs globally that year) were caused in part by feverish speculation in railroads, shipping, and stock markets in a number of places. The first panic was in Vienna, with subsequent market routes breaking out in Germany, France, and in New York, all brought about by excess market or industry speculation.

The book places the Rothschild family at the center of the narrative, using their banking empire as a lens through which readers can understand the rise of international capital markets and the forces that led to collapse. The author also explores the political and social consequences of the depression, including rising populism, growing antisemitism, two decades of deflation in prices, and the weakening of Reconstruction in the United States. Ahamed argues that while growth in the years following the panic was solid, coming in at around 2.5% annually, the perception in many minds was that the depression was lingering since prices were falling. This price drop was caused in part by increasing production, which increased supply of items, causing prices to drop.

Overall, 1873 is an excellent work of economic history that illuminates how financial crises can transform societies. It is both informative and highly readable, offering valuable insights into the origins of the modern global economy.

MY RATING: 4.5

The Hardest, Longest Race: Henry Ford and the Cross-Country Contest That Changed America (Eric Moskowitz)

In The Hardest, Longest Race: Henry Ford and the Cross-Country Race That Changed America, author Eric Moskowitz recounts the remarkable 1909 “Ocean to Ocean” automobile race that stretched from New York to Seattle. At a time when paved roads were scarce and long distance travel by car seemed like a future fever dream, five teams set out to prove that automobiles could conquer the American landscape. The race covered over 4,000 miles and forced drivers to navigate rough terrain, severe weather, mechanical failures, and countless unexpected challenges.

Moskowitz presents the event as more than a sporting competition. The race became a public demonstration of the potential of the automobile and a powerful marketing opportunity for car manufacturers eager to win the trust of consumers. Among the most prominent competitors was the Ford Motor Company, which hoped to showcase the reliability and durability of the Model T. As the race progressed, Ford and a hard-luck competitor known as Shawmut battled each other for supremacy of their cars.

The book highlights the determination and creativity required to keep the vehicles moving across mountains, deserts, forests, and muddy roads. Drivers and mechanics frequently repaired their cars under difficult conditions while searching for routes through regions that lacked modern transportation infrastructure. These experiences revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of early automotive technology. The book also highlights the lengths, both legit and not, that the Ford Motor Company went to in order to prove the Model T was the superior vehicle.

As the finish approached, controversy emerged over claims of unfair advantages and disputed decisions. Moskowitz explores these conflicts while examining the broader cultural and economic significance of the race. Ultimately, the event helped convince Americans that automobiles could be practical tools for transportation, contributing to the rapid growth of car ownership, particularly of the Model T, and the transformation of travel in the United States. Moskowitz’s narrative is well-paced and enjoyable for those who like books about distance travel and history.

MY RATING: 5

From Life Itself: Turkey, Istanbul, and a Neighborhood in the Age of Erdogan (Suzy Hansen)

Suzy Hansen's From Life Itself: Turkey, Istanbul, and a Neighborhood in the Age of Erdogan is a thoughtful and ambitious exploration of politics in Turkiye since the start of the Turkish Republic in the 1920’s. The early years of Turkiye set the stage for a greater focus on Recep Erdogan’s rule as Prime Minister and President for the past two plus decades. Drawing on her experiences living in Istanbul, Hansen examines how personal perspectives are shaped by culture, history, and power. The book challenges readers to reconsider assumptions that often go unquestioned, particularly those related to national identity and the influence of the United States on global affairs.

Hansen effectively connects rising nationalism in Turkiye to the greater trend of nationalism in much of the West, the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China), and beyond. In many instances, the rise in nationalism has been fueled by migration due to war and conflict in adjacent regions; in other cases, a desire to return to past historical glory. Hansen advocates in many of these cases that the rise in nationalism has coincided with a decline in democratic norms. The best parts of this book are the personalized accounts of various Istanbul residents, their views on life in Istanbul and Turkiye, and how changing real world conditions are impacting them.

If you filter through the author’s worldview and consistent references to one perceived crisis or another (whether climate change, human rights, economic, or whatever it may be), From Life Itself is a very effective book in explaining modern Turkiye and its position on the world stage.

MY RATING: 4

Credit to the Nation (Rebecca Kobrin)

Rebecca Kobrin’s Credit to the Nation is an account of the role that Eastern European Jewish immigrant bankers played in shaping American finance between 1873 and 1930. Drawing on an impressive range of archival sources, Kobrin uncovers a largely overlooked chapter of American economic history and demonstrates how immigrant communities created financial institutions that served needs ignored by mainstream banks and how mainstream finance shunned many of the immigrant banks’ practices due partly to antisemitism and nativism.

The book excels at connecting personal stories of migration and entrepreneurship with larger developments in banking and growth, particularly in New York City. Kobrin shows how immigrant bankers provided loans, financed travel, and supported business formation for newly arrived Jewish immigrants who often faced barriers to conventional credit. In doing so, these institutions helped foster economic mobility while also contributing to the transformation of New York City’s real estate market and financial landscape.

Kobrin effectively balances historical analysis with strong writing. Her discussion of the rise and eventual decline of immigrant banking, particularly the collapse of the Bank of United States in 1930, provides important insight into the broader evolution of American finance. The bank’s failure was not only symbolic of many bank failures during the Great Depression but served as a catalyst to spur reforms in the financial system during the Great Depression. Among these reforms was the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a backstop to insure deposits at member banks.

More than a history of banking, Credit to the Nation is a thoughtful exploration of migration, trust, community, and economic opportunity. Kobrin convincingly argues that immigrant financial networks were an important contributor to the history of American commerce and finance.

MY RATING: 4.5

A Kingdom and a Village: A One-Thousand-Year History of Moscow (Simon Morrison)

A Kingdom and a Village: A One-Thousand-Year History of Moscow by Simon Morrison is an artistic and cultural retelling of the story of Moscow. Rather than offering a conventional political history, Morrison presents Moscow as a living character whose development mirrors the triumphs, tragedies, and contradictions of Russian history. 

One of the book's greatest strengths is Morrison’s dive into cultural and artistic stories of Moscow. The best stories focus on Moscow’s subway system and the Bolshoi. Russia’s story is one of conflict and mistrust, unsure if it should pivot towards Europe or look inward, let alone look towards Asia as it has from time to time throughout its history. 

Because of this, Moscow has been impacted dramatically by this struggle. At times Russia’s capital, other times a secondary city that broods because of the presence of other cities of prominence. The author is particularly effective at showing how geography, religion, culture, and political ambition shaped the city's identity. His personal familiarity with Moscow adds warmth and insight, allowing readers to see beyond statistics and historical dates to the experiences of ordinary residents.

Overall, A Kingdom and a Village is a richly detailed and thought-provoking work that offers valuable insight into both Moscow's past and the forces that continue to shape modern Russia. It is highly recommended for readers interested in history, politics, and urban studies.

MY RATING: 4.5

The Return of the Oystercatcher: Saving Birds to Save the Planet (Scott Weidensaul)

The Return of the Oystercatcher: Saving Birds to Save the Planet by Scott Weidensaul blends natural history and environmental reflection into a well-written narrative about conservation and rewilding. In this engaging work, Weidensaul chronicles his efforts to restore a declining population of American oystercatchers along the Atlantic coast while exploring broader questions about conservation and humanity’s relationship with nature.

Weidensaul’s journey starts in his home state of Pennsylvania, where he chronicles the efforts that went into the formation of the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary during the Great Depression. He also takes us to Europe, showcasing rewilding efforts in Romania, along with the middle of the boreal forest in Northern Canada to highlight a decades-long conservation effort. In each location, the author focuses primarily on how these efforts and how human intervention and conservation is impacting bird populations. In some cases, the outcomes are not as intended.

Weidsenaul’s book is written through an environmental lens; not quite at activist levels but one where you can see his passion and concern for the environment. He provides a well-written chronicle that showcases the important role birds play in the ecosystem and our role in helping ensure they continue to survive in our world.

MY RATING: 4

Converts: From Oscar Wilde to Muriel Spark, Why So Many Became Catholic in the 20th Century (Melanie McDonagh)

Melanie McDonagh’s Converts: From Oscar Wilde to Muriel Spark, Why So Many Became Catholic in the 20th Century offers a thoughtful look at the British people who embraced Roman Catholicism during the twentieth century. McDonagh examines figures like Edith Sitwell, Graham Greene, Oscar Wilde, and Ronald Knox, showing how personal longing, intellectual curiosity, and social change shaped their religious journeys.

These vignets are samples of a broader movement within early and middle 20th Century British life, where tens of thousands of Brits joined Catholicism for various reasons. Some joined because of their spiritual connection to the faith, others because of family, or a personal connection to someone in the faith who helped them through a troubled time. Conversions topped 10,000 annually for a time in the 1910s and early 1920s per estimates before dwindling sharply after Vatican II. 

Converts is an insightful and absorbing study of belief in an age often marked by skepticism. It reminds readers that spiritual searching remains central to human identity and cultural life. McDonagh approaches her subjects with sympathy while still acknowledging their flaws and contradictions. Readers interested in literature, history, or religion will find much to admire here. 

MY RATING: 4.5