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The latest news from SL Advisory, including press features, events, and recommended reading.
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A Value-Based Approach to Cyber-Risk Oversight
Written by Nate Fick, James Lam, Shelley Leibowitz For NACD (the National Association of Corporate Directors) March 2018Noteworthy Books
Co-Intelligence, Living and Working with AI
Ethan Mollick
Ethan Mollick
Elon Musk
Walter Isaacson
Walter Isaacson
Walter Isaacson provides deep insight into the background and history of Elon Musk, one of the uniquely creative and enigmatic minds of our Time.
New Cold Wars: China’s Rise, Russia’s Invasion, and America’s Struggle to Defend the West
David Sanger and Mary Brooks
David Sanger and Mary Brooks
The title of this book tells all. Perspectives on changing geopolitics and great power competition in modern times. The shifting sands around China, Russia, and the United States. A definite must to read! I couldn’t put this book down.
Leadership: Six Studies in World Strategy
Henry Kissinger
Henry Kissinger
Henry Kissinger does a wonderful job, and creates a deeply engaging read, as he profiles six, 20th century world leaders who have had major impact on the world stage. A personal view from one of the great statesmen of our time. Profiling the careers, priorities, styles, and idiosyncrasies of six historic figures. An important read.
The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker III
Peter Baker and Susan Glasser
Peter Baker and Susan Glasser
Highly recommend this biography of James Baker, Washington’s Republican dealmaker. From the early years to the Gulf War, from the disputed election of George W. Bush to the invasion of Iraq, this book gives insights into the life and decision making of one of the most influential Washington insiders of our time. Trusted friend, advisor, and confidante to the Bush family; the ultimate Washington power broker.
The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War
Craig Whitlock
Craig Whitlock
A carefully researched and well written work on the last twenty years of US involvement in Afghanistan. Offering a clear eyed assessment of flawed US policy based on changing mission scope, lack of understanding of the enemy, mismanaged global alliances, and a naïve march toward democracy in the region.
Talking to Strangers
Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell
A worthwhile read from Malcolm Gladwell describing how typically unsuccessful we are at discerning other peoples’ veracity. And how we want to believe that others are transparent and truthful, though we are often mistaken. Eye opening and thought provoking.
Winston Churchill: Walking with Destiny
Andrew Roberts
Andrew Roberts
A truly excellent cradle to grave biography of the incomparable Winston Churchill – his tenacity, fortitude, and courage, as well as his quirks and peccadilloes. A worthwhile read about a man who changed the course of 20th century history.
The Englishman’s Daughter
Ben McIntyre
Ben McIntyre
An inspiring yet incredibly sad story of the destruction of the town of Villeret, on the border of Belgium and France, during World War I. Bravery in the face of severe hardship and danger on the part of some, and complicity on the part of others. With a range of very human emotions and experiences throughout. An engaging read by Ben McIntyre.
Operation Mincement
Ben McIntyre
Ben McIntyre
Yet another fabulous tale meticulously written by Ben McIntyre about Operation Mincement, the great deception that preceded the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943. A turning point in the War, magnificently told.
Beneath a Scarlet Sky
Mark Sullivan
Mark Sullivan
An interesting story about a young man in Milan late in WWII as the war is waning, and the Nazis recognize that the end is near. Upon coming of age, he survives the war by joining the Nazis in northern Italy and ultimately becoming the personal driver of a German General. Through this, he gains an inside seat to the Nazi war machine and works in secret to feed information to the Italian resistance. A worthwhile read, and such a story of courage from someone quite young.
Rebooting AI:Building Artificial Intelligence We Can Trust
Gary Marcus and Ernest David
Gary Marcus and Ernest David
A clear and thoughtful description of the serious limitations of today’s AI. The AI that functions well within narrow contexts but cannot begin to approach broad or general intelligence, or human sentience. AI today as machine learning functioning on large data sets – a far cry from deep understanding and cognitive reasoning. The authors present well developed and reasoned insights into how much more is required for true, sustainable, general artificial intelligence. An enlightening read.
Us vs. Them: The Failure of Globalism
Iam Bremmer
Iam Bremmer
An insightful discussion of the factors that have led to inequality within and across the nations of the world, and to a mistrust of global elites and governments. Challenges stemming from technology, globalization, and climate change, as well as lack of effective education, current skills, and broad opportunity. Bremmer methodically compares and contrasts various programs that have been implemented to try to address growing inequality, such as universal basic income and cash transfers. Cogent, thought provoking observations and predictions: the best explanation I have read of the rise of populism in the 21st center, and the “underlying emergencies” that have fomented so much anger and division in our social fabric.
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World
William H. McRaven
William H. McRaven
A delightful and engaging set of allegories from the fascinating life of Admiral William McRaven. Always good to be reminded that persistence matters. And that everything worth achieving takes hard work and support from others.
The Fifth Domain
Richard A. Clarke and Robert K. Knake
Richard A. Clarke and Robert K. Knake
A book every senior executive needs to read! Yes, it has a bit of cyber jargon, but it is almost impossible to discuss the security challenges of cyber and new technologies thoughtfully without some understanding of the underlying components. Bravo to Dick Clarke and Rob Knake on a book deep with real insight and practical, smart recommendations. Well done, gentlemen! This is a book I read with a pen in my hand.
The Moment of Lift
Melinda Gates
Melinda Gates
A wonderful book by Melinda Gates on the importance of empowering women in the developing world, starting with family planning. Melinda Gates’ kindness, humility, intellect, and generosity of sprit come through in the early and late chapters that highlight her own family and professional experiences.
Capitalism in America: A History
Alan Greenspan and Adrian Wooldridge
Alan Greenspan and Adrian Wooldridge
A book everyone should read! A rigorously researched and thoughtfully presented economic history of the US. From the founding of the country and the roots of the Civil War to modern day capitalism and the rise of populism. A wonderful reminder of how the American pioneer spirit set the foundation for innovation and creative destruction. And how today’s dialogue is putting that spirit at risk.
The Undoing Project
Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis
A series of very relatable vignettes about how people have used data and objective information to make better decisions, often contradicting their instincts. Stories of everything from the NBA to the military.
AI Superpowers
Kai-Fu Lee
Kai-Fu Lee
AI in geopolitics and big picture implications in everything from international relations to healthcare. Extremely worthwhile if you have interest in AI, the global changes that may occur, and particularly China’s role.
Cyber War: The Next Threat to National Security and What to Do About It
Richard Clarke
Richard Clarke
One of the seminal works on cybersecurity. A must read.
Future Crimes: Everything Is Connected, Everyone Is Vulnerable and What We Can Do About It
Marc Goodman
Marc Goodman
Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World
Linda Hirshman
Linda Hirshman
I loved this book. What a wonderful journey tracing the lives and impact of Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the first two women on the Supreme Court. With very different backgrounds and styles, and their own approaches, they helped to make the courts recognize women as capable individuals with full rights in the eyes of the law. Brava!
This is How They Tell Me the World Ends
Nicole Perlroth
Nicole Perlroth
A well researched, in depth expose of the opaque world of zero day exploits. Should be required reading for anyone interested in the cyber ecosystem. Where hackers, governmental agencies, and private companies all jockey and compete for back doors to systems, software vulnerabilities to be exploited, and increasing amounts of money changing hands. Where the good guys are not always good, and the bad guys sometimes can be helpful.
Up Close and All In
John Mack
John Mack
The Internet in Everything
Laura Denardis
Laura Denardis
This is an important book, a book everyone should read. Laura Denardis gives a thorough and articulate deep dive into the risks and considerations of next gen cyber security, the Internet of Things. When digital control systems control physical outcomes, and all the complications that will arise. Bravo!
Agent Zigzag
Ben McIntyre
Ben McIntyre
The Kill Chain, Defending America in the Future of High-tech Warfare
Christian Brose
Christian Brose
A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War
Ben Macintyre
Ben Macintyre
Madame Fourcade’s Secret War
Lynne Olsen
Lynne Olsen
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Charles Duhigg
Charles Duhigg
Army of None
Paul Scharre
Paul Scharre
An important work that explains in depth the role of autonomous weaponry in modern warfare. Instructive discussions of key topics in the application of AI in 21st century conflict: the difference between autonomous capabilities and freedom in decision making; manned and unmanned systems in military operations; lethal decision making in machine-to-machine combat; robots, drones, and autonomous tanks in battlefield operations; and rules of engagement and degree of autonomy from country to country.
The Perfect Weapon
David Sanger
David Sanger
Splinternet How Geopolitics and Commerce are Fragmenting the World Wide Web
Scott Malcomson
Scott Malcomson
Lessons in Disaster: McGeorge Bundy and the Path to War in Vietnam
Gordon Goldstein
Gordon Goldstein
National Insecurity: American Leadership in an Age of Fear
David Rothkopf
David Rothkopf
Wonderful and balanced perspectives on the foreign policy machines in the Bush and Obama administrations. The good, the bad, and the unfortunate…
Start-Up Nation The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle
Dan Senor and Saul SingerS
Dan Senor and Saul SingerS
A brilliant read describing the incredible and unique high-tech ecosystem in Israel.
The Fourth Age: Smart Robots, Conscious Computers, and the Future of Humanity
Byron Reese
Byron Reese
Sea Power
Admiral James Stavridis
Admiral James Stavridis
The Hacked World Order: How Nations Fight, Trade, Maneuver, and Manipulate in the Digital Age
Adam Segal
Adam Segal
Excellent insights into the policies and approaches among nations in a digital world.