An NPR Best Book of the Year: “The most honest, unflinching, cathartically biting novel I’ve read about the Chinese American experience.” —Celeste Ng, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Our Missing Hearts Winner, Anisfield-Wolf Book Award * Winner, Chautauqua Prize *Finalist, Dayton Literary Peace Prize * A New York Times Notable Book * A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year Sly, funny, intelligent, and artfully structured, The Fortunes recasts American history through the lives of Chinese Americans and reimagines the multigenerational novel through the fractures of immigrant family experience. Inhabiting four lives—a railroad baron’s valet who unwittingly ignites an explosion in Chinese labor; Hollywood’s first Chinese movie star; a hate-crime victim whose death mobilizes the Asian American community; and a biracial writer visiting China for an adoption—this novel captures and capsizes over a century of our history, showing that even as family bonds are denied and broken, a community can survive—as much through love as blood. “Intense and dreamlike . . . filled with quiet resonances across time.” —The New Yorker “Riveting and luminous . . . Like the best books, this one haunts the reader well after the end.” —Jesmyn Ward, National Book Award-winning author of Sing, Unburied, Sing “A moving, often funny, and deeply provocative novel about the lives of four very different Chinese Americans as they encounter the myriad opportunities and clear limits of American life . . . gorgeously told.” —Chang-rae Lee, Buzzfeed “A poignant, cascading four-part novel . . . Outstanding.” —David Mitchell, The Guardian

Everything changes when Isabelle discovers that she is the heir to Fortune's Farm, a wondrous place where the final remnants of magic grow. For as long as she can remember, ten-year-old Isabelle has dreamed of escaping her home in Runny Cove, a gray village where it never stops raining, and where she is forced to work at Mr. Supreme's Umbrella Factory. Journeying across the ocean, Isabelle finds a sunny new home filled with magical delights, including Curative Cherry trees that can heal all kinds of sickness, and Floating Fronds that make her fly. But Isabelle still feels the call to return to Runny Cove and use the secrets of the farm to stop the rain. With the magic of Fortune's Farm behind her, will Isabell be strong enough to bring back the sun and stop the despicable Mr. Supreme? From the author of Smells Like Dog comes a magical journey about loyalty, family, and the magic within.

Gustavus Myers' 'History of the Great American Fortunes: Conditions in Settlement and Colonial Times' is a powerful exposé of the economic disparities that characterized early American history. Myers meticulously details the rise of wealthy families and their exploitation of workers and resources, shedding light on the darker side of the country's development. His writing style is straightforward and factual, allowing the reader to delve deep into the intricate web of financial machinations that shaped the nation. This book serves as a significant contribution to American economic history, offering a critical perspective on the country's origins. Myers' work is a must-read for those interested in understanding the complexities of wealth accumulation and its impact on society. The author's dedication to uncovering the truth behind the great American fortunes reveals a passion for social justice and a commitment to revealing the hidden realities of wealth and power in the early days of the nation.

A Harvard-trained economist's startling predictions reveal critical challenges in the decades ahead, helping individuals, businesses, and governments to make smarter decisions As individuals, companies, and countries struggle to recover from the economic crisis, many are narrowly focused on forecasts for the next week, month, or quarter. Yet they should be asking what the global economy will look like in the years to come—where will the long-term risks and opportunities arise? These are the questions that Daniel Altman confronts in his provocative and indispensable book. The fate of the global economy, Altman argues, will be determined by deeper factors than those that move markets from moment to moment. His incisive analysis brings together hidden trends, societal pressures, and policy endgames to make twelve surprising but logical predictions about the years ahead. And his forecasts for the future raise a pressing question for today: With so many challenges awaiting us, are our political and economic institutions up to the task? Outrageous Fortunes tells which industries will grow, which economies will crumble, which investments will pay off, and where the next big crisis may occur. Altman's carefully reasoned text is an essential guide for the road ahead.

Selected as one of Motley Fool’s “5 Great Books You Should Read” Advice on managing your wealth from bestselling author Bill Bonner From trusted New York Times bestselling author Bill Bonner comes a radical new way to look at family money and a practical, actionable guide to getting and maintaining multigenerational wealth. Family Fortunes: How to Build Family Wealth and Hold on to It for 100 Years is packed with useful information, interwoven with Bonner's stories about his own family's wealth philosophy and practices. A comprehensive guide that shows how families can successfully preserve their estates by ignoring most of what people think they know about "the rich" and, instead, training and motivating all family members to work together toward a very uncommon goal. This book is a must-read for all individual investors—even those who do not plan to leave money to their children—because it challenges many of the most ubiquitous principles and rules of investing. You might expect a book on family wealth to be extremely conservative in its outlook. Instead, the Bonners announce what is practically a revolutionary manifesto. They explain: Why family money should NOT be invested in "safe, conservative" investments Why charitable giving is usually a waste of money, or worse Why it is NOT a good idea to let children go their own way Why you can't trust wealth "professionals" and why you should never entrust your money to money managers Why giving your children as much education as possible is NOT a good idea Why Warren Buffett and the rest of the rich people asking for higher tax rates are wrong to take "the pledge" Why Wall Street is a graveyard for capital, why most celebrity CEOs are a threat to the businesses they run, why modern capitalism is a failure, and more You will come away with a very different idea as to what family wealth is all about. It is not stodgy. Not boring. Not moss-backed and reactionary. On the contrary, it is the most dynamic, forward-looking capital in the world. The essential guide to passing wealth from one generation to the next, Family Fortunes is filled with concrete, practical advice you can put to use right away.

If you think McDonald's is the most ubiquitous restaurant experience in America, consider that there are more Chinese restaurants in America than McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Wendys combined. New York Times reporter and Chinese-American (or American-born Chinese). In her search, Jennifer 8 Lee traces the history of Chinese-American experience through the lens of the food. In a compelling blend of sociology and history, Jenny Lee exposes the indentured servitude Chinese restaurants expect from illegal immigrant chefs, investigates the relationship between Jews and Chinese food, and weaves a personal narrative about her own relationship with Chinese food. The Fortune Cookie Chronicles speaks to the immigrant experience as a whole, and the way it has shaped our country.

In 1956, two Bell Labs scientists discovered the scientific formula for getting rich. One was mathematician Claude Shannon, neurotic father of our digital age, whose genius is ranked with Einstein's. The other was John L. Kelly Jr., a Texas-born, gun-toting physicist. Together they applied the science of information theory—the basis of computers and the Internet—to the problem of making as much money as possible, as fast as possible. Shannon and MIT mathematician Edward O. Thorp took the "Kelly formula" to Las Vegas. It worked. They realized that there was even more money to be made in the stock market. Thorp used the Kelly system with his phenomenally successful hedge fund, Princeton-Newport Partners. Shannon became a successful investor, too, topping even Warren Buffett's rate of return. Fortune's Formula traces how the Kelly formula sparked controversy even as it made fortunes at racetracks, casinos, and trading desks. It reveals the dark side of this alluring scheme, which is founded on exploiting an insider's edge. Shannon believed it was possible for a smart investor to beat the market—and William Poundstone's Fortune's Formula will convince you that he was right.

Embark on a fascinating journey through the annals of American history with Gustavus Myers' insightful exploration, "Great Fortunes from Railroads." Step back in time to the era of railroads, when the iron horse ruled the landscape and transformed the nation's economy and infrastructure. In this compelling narrative, Myers delves into the stories of the titans of industry who amassed great fortunes through their control of the railroad industry, shaping the course of American history in the process. Themes of ambition, innovation, and the pursuit of wealth resonate throughout the narrative, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of capitalism and its impact on society. Myers' meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring to life the larger-than-life figures who built and controlled the nation's railroads, from Cornelius Vanderbilt to Jay Gould. Through insightful character analysis and historical context, Myers offers readers a deeper understanding of the economic, social, and political forces that drove the rise of the railroad tycoons. From their ruthless business tactics to their philanthropic endeavors, Myers explores the contradictions and complexities of these larger-than-life figures, shedding light on their enduring legacy. The overall tone of the book is one of fascination and intrigue, as Myers unravels the tangled web of ambition, power, and wealth that defined the Gilded Age. With its blend of biography, economic analysis, and social history, "Great Fortunes from Railroads" offers a comprehensive and compelling portrait of an era that continues to shape the modern world. "Great Fortunes from Railroads" has earned acclaim for its meticulous research, engaging prose, and insightful analysis of one of the most transformative periods in American history. Critics and readers alike have praised Myers' ability to bring the past to life with vivid detail and compelling storytelling, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in the history of American capitalism. Whether you're a scholar of history, a fan of biographies, or simply someone with an interest in the stories of the past, "Great Fortunes from Railroads" offers a rich and rewarding journey through a pivotal moment in American history. It's a captivating exploration of power, wealth, and ambition that will leave you with a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped the modern world. Don't miss your chance to discover the untold stories of the railroad tycoons with Gustavus Myers as your guide. Grab your copy now and embark on a journey through the corridors of power and wealth that defined the Gilded Age.

Reading Russian Fortunes examines the huge popularity and cultural impact of fortune-telling among urban and literate Russians from the eighteenth century to the present. Based partly on a study of the numerous editions of little fortune-telling books, especially those devoted to dream interpretation, it documents and analyses the social history of fortune-telling in terms of class and gender, at the same time considering the function of both amateur and professional fortune-telling in a literate modernizing society. Chapters are devoted to professional fortune-tellers and their clients, and to the publishers of the books. An analysis of the relationship between urban fortune-telling and traditional oral culture, where divination played a very significant role, leads on to a discussion of the underlying reasons for the persistence of fortune-telling in modern Russian society.