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Patton’s Picks: 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin
Leadership Resources for the Philanthropic Sector
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This is not just a history book - it’s a leadership warning.
In 1929, Andrew Ross Sorkin revisits the people, decisions, and blind spots that led to the Great Crash. What’s striking isn’t how unfamiliar the story feels - but how uncomfortably familiar it is.
Why nonprofit leaders should read this:
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Smart people can still miss systemic risk
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Overconfidence often precedes collapse
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Silence and groupthink are leadership failures
For boards, executives, and fundraisers navigating uncertainty, this book reinforces the importance of scenario planning, dissent, and humility.
Leadership takeaway: Strong leadership isn’t about predicting the future - it’s about preparing for multiple futures.
About Patton McDowell:
Dr. Patton McDowell, CFRE, MBA, is the creator of the innovative PMA Mastermind Leadership Program, a unique offering designed to elevate nonprofit leaders through comprehensive training and peer collaboration. He is also the author of the best-selling book, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, and host of the weekly podcast with the same name, available here. Since founding PMA Nonprofit Leadership in 2009, Patton has strategically guided over 300 nonprofit organizations to achieve their fullest potential. A Certified Fundraising Executive and Master Trainer for AFP Global, he serves as Executive in Residence at Cornell University's Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy and as Director of the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership.
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