Read & Discuss – 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

During this meetup, we will discuss 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--and How It Shattered a Nation by Andrew Ross Sorkin.

"In 1929, the world watched in shock as the unstoppable Wall Street bull market went into a freefall, wiping out fortunes and igniting a depression that would reshape a generation. But behind the flashing ticker tapes and panicked traders, another drama unfolded—one of visionaries and fraudsters, titans and dreamers, euphoria and ruin.

With unparalleled access to historical records and newly uncovered documents, New York Times bestselling author Andrew Ross Sorkin takes readers inside the chaos of the crash, behind the scenes of a raging battle between Wall Street and Washington and the larger-than-life characters whose ambition and naïveté in an endless boom led to disaster. The dizzying highs and brutal lows of this era eerily mirror today’s world—where markets soar, political tensions mount, and the fight over financial influence plays out once again.

This is not just a story about money. 1929 is a tale of power, psychology, and the seductive illusion that this time is different. It’s about disregarded alarm bells, financiers who fell from grace, and skeptics who saw the crash coming—only to be dismissed until it was too late.

Hailed as a landmark book, Too Big to Fail reimagined how financial crises are told. Now, with 1929, Sorkin delivers an immersive, electrifying account of the most pivotal market collapse of all time—with lessons that remain as urgent as ever. More than just a history, 1929 is a crucial blueprint for understanding the cycles of speculation, the forces that drive financial upheaval, and the warning signs we ignore at our peril."

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Some more general notes about the book club:

• We rotate through different types of books, with some covering historical or current events and others more along the lines of practical advice about how to do something.
• No specific ideas are necessarily endorsed – we try to read a variety of topics to expose ourselves to new ideas and ways of thinking.
• We try to grab the room to the back-right of Fortnight Brewing Company's main inside seating area (coming in the door on the front of the building, facing Maynard Road), but will get a table nearby if the room isn't available.
• No worries about coming in mid-discussion ― we usually manage to get off-topic anyways ― and feel free to come even if you didn't manage to finish the book. Also, no shame if you listen to it on Audible!