I sat a my local cafe this morning, watching a small boy, probably 2 or 3 years old, totter down one of the narrow, age-old lanes that define much of the 4th arrondissement. He followed his parents and gripped his tiny blanket in one arm, holding onto it as if for dear life. I had … More The Security Blanket
This past winter, a long weekend away took my wife and me to Edinburgh. The crowds were thin, the weather wet and cold. It mattered not, as history still whispered through the streets and stone walls. We baby-stepped our way through the ‘closes’–the narrow passages that honeycomb Old Town–and fingered the never-ending supply of wool … More Edinburgh, Scotland: The Writers Museum
When the nouveau riche ran wild in the Manhattan of the 1980s, Tom Wolfe marked the moment and set the whole scene ablaze with his debut novel, Bonfire of the Vanities. He coined the term ‘stratusphere’ and ‘the right stuff’. He broke down barriers in journalism, becoming personally involved in his stories. I liked his … More Tom Wolfe: Lighter of the Bonfires
Whenever you are tempted to trade your integrity for something, whether it be money, advancement, advantage, power, or fame, remember three things: One, you will be shortchanged, as the value of an intangible is almost always greater than the value of a tangible. Two, your opinion of yourself will be diminished, regardless of whether or … More Careful Considerations
Republican Robert S. Mueller III (top) and Democrat John Forbes Kerry, (bottom). St. Paul’s classmates and alumni. Like Mueller, Kerry opted for a life committed to public service rather than private gain, despite a wealth of family connections and a top shelf education. Like Kerry, Mueller served with distinction in combat during the Viet Nam … More Most Likely To Make History
Hi Byron, I read your post about Facebook and just wanted to drop a line. You had asked me to write something weeks ago, and I didn’t have anything on my mind at the time. I do now. I am in a privileged position: I am not required to have a social media presence in … More Old Money: In Their Own Words
It’s been a busy few weeks with work on (and delays with) the new book, interest in our film and television projects from London, and an unexpectedly ramped up social calendar. Last week, the socializing whirlwind found me sitting next to a young French aristocrat. He was perfectly polite and casually dressed. Open, informed, and … More Conversation with the Aristocrat