The Reading List: Compiled at New-York Historical Society's Strawberry Festival Luncheon

A little history, a little glamour, and theories of child-rearing.

"The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt" by T.J. Stiles. "For sure he'll be a contender for our book prize."
--Louise Mirrer, President of the New-York Historical Society

"I'm reading 'Lulu Meets God and Doubts Him' by Danielle Ganek. In paperback, but don't tell her that."
--Deborah Bancroft, gala circuit regular and social columnist

"Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World" by Liaquat Ahamed. "It's the story of the Great Depression and I hope we're learning from it."
--Bernard Schwartz, New-York Historical Society trustee

"I'm re-reading 'Love at Goon Park: Harry Harlow and the Science of Affection'" by Deborah Goodman. "It's about love forming in early childhood. My husband and I read it when we were having our first child. Children who feel safe for further, because they have the security of a home base."
--Diana DiMenna, who as a volunteer is working with architect Lee Skolnick to create a children's gallery at the the New-York Historical Society

"Telex from Cuba" by Rachel Kushner. "I just got back from Cuba."
--Lynn Tobias, president, Jewish Women's Foundation of New York

"This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War" by Drew Gilpin Faust. "It won our book prize this year. It's fantastic. It looks at our attitudes toward death. It applies to war in any era."
--Pam Schafler, New-York Historical Society trustee

"Vanity Fair's Hollywood." It is the most fascinating book I've ever read. It has all this insight into what went on behind the scenes of some of the great movies."
--Diane Benzaquen, Brown Harris Stevens real estate broker