KEVIN RING
Chief revenue officer, PGA of America
■ “Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power,” by Jon Meacham
I am a fan of biographies and I like the storytelling of Jon Meacham. In this case, I find the foresight of our founding fathers to be incredible, yet realizing the real-life challenges they were balancing at the time they were shaping the United States is a story that helps keep what we do in perspective while also being reminded that the critical nurturing of relationships in business, and politics, has existed forever.
■ “Tribal Leadership,” by Dave Logan and John King
This is a book recommended by our Professional Development committee, so I am diving in this summer.
■ “Deane Beman: Golf’s Driving Force,” by Adam Schupak
I read this book when I started at the PGA and I decided that after two years in, and as we head into our 100th anniversary, it would be important to read about one of the more critical times in our history. I am reading it this time with a much better understanding, and appreciation, of our association.
■ “Unbroken,” by Laura Hillenbrand
This book speaks to the importance of perseverance in all that we do. What Louis Zamperini accomplished, measured against what he needed to do to succeed, is an incredible story that I look forward to reading about in detail.
These are the ones I have on the top of the list, but this year I am going between paperback and a Kindle to read books. While I still love a paperback, I appreciate the size and flexibility that a Kindle brings while on the road.
PETER CIACCIA
President of events, New York Road Runners;
and race director, TCS New York City Marathon
■ “Just Kids,” by Patti Smith
I’m a big fan of Patti Smith’s work as a musician, poet, performer and author. The book tells the story of her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe during the early years of the New York City music scene, when it was at its most vibrant with great venues like Max’s Kansas City and CBGB and great artists like Patti Smith.
■ “Monster Loyalty: How Lady Gaga Turns Followers Into Fanatics,” by Jackie Huba
Lady Gaga is a master at grassroots marketing. She’s built an enormous fan base connecting with young people through her music and her messaging on positive values and strength of community, which is similar to our approach with young runners.
■ “Running For My Life,” by Lopez Lomong with Mark Tabb
Inspiring story about Lomong’s journey from the Sudanese civil war to the 2008 Olympics. He was kidnapped by rebels, escaped his captors and spent most of his youth in an overcrowded refugee camp. Lopez never gave up hope, ultimately becoming a citizen and a member of the U.S. Olympic team.
AMBER THEOHARIS
Host of “NFL Total Access,” NFL Network
I just finished an amazing book about Northern Greece post-World War II called “Eleni,” by Nicholas Gage. It was published in 1983, so it’s a little older. Also, staying with books with Greek authors, I’m now reading Pulitzer Prize winner “Middlesex,” by Jeffrey Eugenides. Guess I’m missing Greece this summer!
TRAUG KELLER
Senior vice president of production, business divisions, ESPN
■ “Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes,” by Stephen Goodwin
I read it on the way out during a trip with friends to the coast of Oregon and the absolutely remarkable golf complex called Bandon Dunes. The book chronicles the efforts of an entrepreneur named Mike Keiser, who laid out $2.4 million in cash to purchase land in a very remote but beautiful setting. The book’s portrayal of Keiser proves out the adage that all progress depends on irrational behavior! Remarkable story about the making of a remarkable place.
■ “World Gone By,” by Dennis Lehane
Just started the third in a trilogy that chronicles the gangster life of Joe Coughlin from a teen during Prohibition-era Boston to the rum-running world of Ybor City in Tampa. It’s a great historical fiction about a time in America when there was no shortage of character and characters.
RUDOLF VIDAL
Managing director, FC Bayern Munich
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This summer I’ll be reading a classic leadership book by Jim Collins,
“Good to Great.” Having come from Munich last year with the goal of growing and monetizing FC Bayern’s brand in the States, I thought it would be useful to reinforce the tenets of building a great business. As I started reading the book, the tenet that stood out to me is the additive effect of many small initiatives creating a big movement. I can really identify with that notion.
ALEX SARATSIS
Director, Octagon Basketball
■ “Once Upon a Time in Russia,” by Ben Mezrich, and “The Stalin Epigram,” by Robert Littell
I am fascinated by and enjoy learning about Russian history, politics and the economy. Russia functions differently than any other country, and it’s interesting to see how each leader operates without any governance or opposition. I would have majored/minored in Russian literature/history if I had more time.
■ “The Road,” by Cormac McCarthy
When I first read this book years ago I did not yet have a family of my own, but was struck by how the violence and isolation of its post-apocalyptic setting was actually a powerful context in which to demonstrate the deep love and bond between a father and son. I only just reread this book and as a new father with a young boy, this theme is particularly resonant and even more heartbreaking because I personally understand that a father is willing to do anything and everything he can to provide for and protect his child.
