One of our nation’s most prominent writers finds the truth about how to live a long and happy life in the centenarian next door.
David Von Drehle Book order
David von Drehle is a celebrated author whose previous works have garnered critical acclaim. He is known for his in-depth explorations of historical events and their societal impact. His journalistic background informs a keen eye for detail and narrative drive, making his historical accounts both authoritative and engaging. Von Drehle crafts compelling stories that illuminate significant moments in history.
- 2024
- 2023
The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man
- 500 pages
- 18 hours of reading
When a veteran Washington journalist moved to Kansas, he met a new neighbor who was more than a century old. Little did he know that he was beginning a long friendship -- and a profound lesson in the meaning of life. Charlie White was no ordinary neighbor. Born before radio, Charlie lived long enough to use a smartphone. When a shocking tragedy interrupted his idyllic boyhood, Charlie mastered survival strategies that reflect thousands of years of human wisdom. Thus armored, Charlie's sense of adventure carried him on an epic journey across the continent, and later found him swinging across bandstands of the Jazz Age, racing aboard ambulances through Depression-era gangster wars, improvising techniques for early open-heart surgery, and cruising the Amazon as a guest of Peru's president.
- 2013
RISE TO GREATNESS
- 492 pages
- 18 hours of reading
Exploring a pivotal moment in American history, this book delves into the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911, which claimed the lives of 146 workers, mainly young immigrant women. The narrative highlights the social and labor injustices of the time, illustrating how the disaster sparked significant changes in labor laws and safety regulations. Through vivid storytelling and detailed research, the author sheds light on the lives of the victims and the broader implications for workers' rights, making it a compelling read for those interested in social justice and history.
- 2004
The book details the catastrophic fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in 1911, a pivotal event in labor history that claimed the lives of 146 individuals, predominantly women. It explores the harrowing circumstances of the disaster, including inadequate safety measures and the inability to rescue trapped workers due to insufficient firefighting equipment. This tragedy not only marked the deadliest industrial accident in New York until 9/11 but also galvanized labor reform and heightened awareness of workers' rights and safety regulations.