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