The Old Money Book

Apologies for the radio silence.

The internet connection at Downton Shabby has been intermittent at best and nonexistent at worst for the past three months. Recently, I tried to write a blog post on my mobile phone. This exercise was beyond cumbersome and quickly ended in frustration. So now, while the connection is holding, if not strong, I’ll quickly bring you all up to date on the latest.

I’ve just returned from Poznan, Poland, where I’ve been promoting release of the Polish language version of The Old Money Book.

The publisher, Tom Miler of M Publishing, is passionate, hands-on, and visionary. We had an exciting week of nonstop marketing strategy meetings, interviews, lectures, promotional evenings, video shoots, and photo ops. (I signed one thousand copies of the book in 3 days, to give you an idea of our workload, as work typically ran from 9 am to 10 pm, with few breaks in between…but I was happy to be there and to contribute what I could.)

In addition to two sold-out book signing evenings at clothing and beverage boutique Spirits & Style in Poznan, I spoke about Old Money Values to students at the local university, and had an intimate evening discussing current events with some of the city’s academic and political–I don’t want to say ‘elite’–but very well informed and articulate thinkers on social trends, foreign policy, and economic realities facing the country. It was in turns fascinating, informative, disconcerting, and inspiring. As the conversation was private, I will refrain from elaborating further.

It was tremendously exciting and a little sobering to speak about Old Money–the culture that develops after a family enjoys 3 generations of wealth and privilege–to an audience who have only come out from under communist rule 2 generations ago (Think Lech Walesa, circa 1990).

There are no Old Money famlies in the country, as far as I could tell, but there is a hunger to learn the values, priorities, and habits that contribute to generational wealth and quality of life.

After my talk one evening, I signed personalized copies of the book, posed for photos, and chatted with audience members on the ground floor of the boutique. The optimism of the people there was palpable. Poland has a long history, but I was impressed by the energy of this ‘young’ country, emerging to find its new identity and explore new possibilities, both culturally and economically.

A few entrepreneurs present had already amassed considerable fortunes in the short time that Poland had opened up once again to capitalism and freedom. They were keenly interested in how the next generation–their sons and daughters–might be best prepared to inherit the family legacy.

During one conversation, I button-holed the son who had attended my talk with his successful father, and said, “You’re the second generation. You’ve got a responsibility.” He smiled, then tears came up in his eyes as his father put a loving, strong arm around his son’s shoulders and encouraged him in Polish. I did not understand what he said to his son, but I didn’t need an interpreter. It warmed my heart, as did many moments meeting and speaking with the people of Poland.

It was a blessing to have made my first visit to Poland. I doubt it will be my last.

• BGT