Book · 2014 · Philanthropists
Sons of Wichita
- mentions
- 4
- people
- 3
- podcasts
- 4
- episodes
- 4
- recommendation
- 1
If you like really nasty family feuds that last for decades and involve billion-dollar settlements, you might want to read a book called Sons of Wichita, how the Koch brothers became America's most powerful and private dynasty.
Stephen Dubner · Freakonomics Radio · Jun 2017 The best things said about it
I mean probably most famously by Jane Mayer and dark money and in the New Yorker as well as by Daniel Schulman whose book sons of Witchita is really about the family story of the Cokes.
According to the 2014 book Sons of Wichita, Fred became convinced that a global war between capitalism and socialism was inevitable.
And then there's Sons of Wichita, which is their biography, which tries to be objective.
Where and when it comes up
Most mentions, by podcast
Why people recommend it
Sons of Wichita by Daniel Schulman is an investigative biography that delves into the complex, fiercely private family dynamics and multi-billion-dollar empire built by the Koch family. The book was recommended by Stephen Dubner on Freakonomics Radio for readers fascinated by deeply entrenched, decades-long family feuds and high-stakes legal settlements involving immense wealth. Jennifer Szalai also referenced the book on The Book Review as a crucial foundational text for understanding the lineage and ideological evolution of the Koch brothers, placing it alongside other notable journalistic works on the subject. Additionally, Robert Evans cited the biography on Behind the Bastards to illustrate Fred Koch's formative worldview and his growing conviction regarding an inevitable global clash between capitalism and socialism. Sean Puri similarly mentioned the title on My First Million as an objective look into the lives of the influential brothers, highlighting its widespread recognition as a definitive source for understanding one of America's most powerful dynasties.
Every mention
Stephen Dubner If you like really nasty family feuds that last for decades and involve billion-dollar settlements, you mig… 1
“If you like really nasty family feuds that last for decades and involve billion-dollar settlements, you might want to read a book called Sons of Wichita, how the Koch brothers became America's most powerful and private dynasty.”
Jennifer Szalai I mean probably most famously by Jane Mayer and dark money and in the New Yorker as well as by Daniel Schul… 1
“I mean probably most famously by Jane Mayer and dark money and in the New Yorker as well as by Daniel Schulman whose book sons of Witchita is really about the family story of the Cokes”
Robert Evans According to the 2014 book Sons of Wichita, Fred became convinced that a global war between capitalism and… 1
“According to the 2014 book Sons of Wichita, Fred became convinced that a global war between capitalism and socialism was inevitable.”
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker1
“And then there's Sons of Wichita, which is their biography, which tries to be objective.”