Books and Insight with Frank Lavin

Frank Lavin talks with Allen Weiner, the author of “The Highflier Handbook: How to be Seen and Become a Leader at Work”  and discusses why some people fail to move ahead, even if they are strong performers. It has a lot to do with soft skills, collegiality, and perceptions. Allen challenges us as to how we can stand out while still being true to ourselves. In addition to reading his “The Highflier Handbook” Allen also recommends the Tom Clancy novels for insight as to how people can communicate and shape a consensus to advance their goals, starting with “Clear and Present Danger.”

Frank Lavin talks about Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. with John Sullivan, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and former Deputy Secretary of State. John was serving in Moscow when Putin launched Russia's invasion of Ukraine and this was the basis for his book, “Midnight in Moscow.” John also recommends H.R. McMaster's “At War With Ourselves.”

Frank Lavin talks about Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan with Ken Khachigian, author, speechwriter, strategic consultant, and presidential advisor. His book, “Behind Closed Doors,” discusses his work with these two presidents. Ken also recommends Geoff Shepard's “The Nixon Conspiracy” and Richard Nixon's “Memoirs.”

Frank Lavin talks about Indonesia and Southeast Asia with Gita Wirjawan, Visiting Scholar at Stanford University and former Minister of Trade for Indonesia. For insights on successful societies and successful lives, Gita recommends “Range” by David Epstein and “The Narrow Corridor” by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson.

Frank Lavin talks about technology, trade policy, and international business with Alex Capri, Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore and author of “Techno-Nationalism: How It's Reshaping Trade, Geopolitics, and Society.” Alex also recommends “Chip War” by Chris Miller, as a nice complement to his book.

Frank Lavin talks about human rights in Hong Kong and China with Mark Clifford, President of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, and author of “The Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong's Greatest Dissident, and China's Most Feared Critic.” Mark also recommends the memoirs of political prisoner Wei Jingshen, “The Courage to Stand Alone” and Fyodor Dostoevsky's “The Brothers Karamazov” - given that some say Jimmy Lai has the “soul of a Russian poet.”

Frank Lavin talks about doing business in China with Ken Wilcox, the former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank, who went on to run the SVB joint venture in China, the story of which resulted in his insightful book, “The China Business Conundrum.” Beyond his book, Ken also recommends “Red Roulette” by Desmond Shum and “Beijing Rules” by Bethany Allen for those interested in a deeper reading of the challenges U.S. businesses face in China.

Frank Lavin talks about the mid-east with Bucky Apisdorf, President and CEO of the Israeli charity, Let's Do Something, formed after the tragic attacks of Oct 7, 2023. We discuss how this calamity affected Israel, the Palestinians, and prospects for peace. Bucky recommend's Herman Wouk's magisterial novels of World War II, “The Winds of War,” and “War and Remembrance.”

Frank Lavin talks with Anil Ananthaswamy, journalist and author to discuss the role of artificial intelligence. We discuss Anil's book, “Why Machines Learn” which examines machine learning and the origins of AI, and we learn of Anil's recommendation of Anil Seth's “Being You.”

Frank Lavin talks with Jonathan Martin, Senior Political Writer, Politico, to discuss the 2024 presidential race and what Harris and Trump each need to do in the final stretch. We also discuss Jonathan's book, “This Will Not Pass,” as well as Richard Ben Cramer's masterpiece of the 1988 presidential campaign, “What it Takes.” At least one swear word in this episode. If you need more than that, you can listen again.

Frank Lavin talks with Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for New American Security, to discuss why the U.S. should shift from a Europe-oriented foreign policy to an Asia-oriented one. We review recent developments in U.S.-Asia policy in a discussion of Richard's book, “The Lost Decade,” written with Robert Blackwill. Richard also recommends David Fromkin's, “A Peace to End All Peace,” a look at the collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I, with implications for the Mideast of today.

Frank Lavin talks with Jason Hsu from the Kennedy School of Government, discussing semiconductors and Taiwan-China-U.S. relations. Appropriately, Jason's book recommendation is Thomas Schelling's, Arms and Influence, the classic work of deterrence theory and Sun Tzu's The Art of War.

Frank Lavin discusses the Indo-Pacific region with Alexander Downer, former Foreign Minister of Australia. We discuss China, AUKUS, India, Indonesia, Ukraine - and most consequentially, the role of the U.S.  The book we discuss is The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.

Frank Lavin talks with Renee DiResta, Internet disinformation analyst. How does misinformation and disinformation travel so rapidly on the Internet and what steps can be taken to push back?  How will this affect U.S. elections or U.S. support for Ukraine? Books discussed include Renee DiResta's Invisible Rulers, Peter Pomerantsev's Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible and Annalee Newitz's Stories are Weapons.

Frank Lavin talks with Alexander Radwan, Member of the German Bundestag (Parliament). Alexander formerly served in the Bavarian state Parliament and in the European Parliament, all of which makes him well-grounded in national, regional, and international issues. The discussion includes Russia's war in Ukraine, the success and future of the European Union, anti-Israel and pro-Hamas protests on U.S. campuses, and immigration. Books discussed include Ian Kershaw, Personalities and Power and Theo Waigel, Honesty is a Currency. This visit was supported by the American Council on Germany and the Hanns Seidel Foundation.

Frank Lavin talks with Mike Murphy, political analyst, presidential campaign strategist, and host of the “Hacks on Tap” podcast discusses 2024, the debates, Trump's running mate, Trump's legal problems, the prospects for unrest at the Democratic convention, the down-ballot races, Ibogaine and the politics of electric vehicles. Books discussed include Sasha Issenberg, The Lie Detectives; Ralph G. Martin, Ballots and Bandwagons; Ed Flynn, You're the Boss; Tim Crouse, The Boys on the Bus; and Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail.

Frank Lavin talks with presidential historian and attorney Talmage Boston on presidential leadership and what constitutes a "great" president. The books discussed are How The Best Did It, by Talmage Boston and And There Was Light, by Jon Meacham.

Frank Lavin talks with world-renowned cellist Steven Isserlis, currently on a concert tour in the U.S. The conversation ranges from Beethoven and Lenin to Amor Towles and prospects for Labour beating the Tories. Books Discussed A Fine Balance, by Rohinton Mistry Why Beethover Threw the Stool by Steven Isserlis Table for Two by Amor Towles  

Frank Lavin meets with noted Chinese historian Frank Dikötter to discuss his latest book, "China After Mao" and to examine China's economic record in the post-Mao era. Books discussed Red Roulette, by Desmond Shrum China After Mao, by Frank Dikotter https://www.booksandinsight.com