THE HOUR OF FATE

Congratulations and happy pub day to The Hour of Fate: Theodore Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan and the Battle to Transform American Capitalism. I'm so thrilled that this magnificent book was chosen as one of Amazon editors' picks for the 10 best books of the month! My brilliant sister in law is the author of this fascinating account of the epic conflict between President Theodore Roosevelt and financier J.P. Morgan over the future of the Northern Securities railroad company. How inspiring to learn about a time when even the most deep-seeded ideological clash could be resolved with cooperation, intellect, and respect. As noted by Publisher's Weekly, "this entertaining account will resonate with American history buffs and those who agree that 'the battle to make American capitalism more fair rages just as furiously' today as it did at the turn of the last century."

In five years of bookcooklook-ing, I've never prepared a meal for a U.S. president so this was a lot of pressure! Roosevelt had an extroverted, fun loving approach to family life and dined on relatively understated White House meals of "chicken, fish, or a chop." Lamb chops were an easy choice for this post, especially when the alternative was J.P. Morgan's private dinner club menu of foie gras, roast suckling pig and terrapin soup! Huge congratulations to Susan Berfield on this captivating, meticulously researched, reads-like-fiction debut! So proud of your accomplishment!