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The idea of absolute power is a myth—no ruler governs alone, not even the most infamous dictators or monarchs. In The Dictator’s Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith reveal that leaders rely on a web of supporters to maintain control, as seen in the reign of Louis XIV, the so-called Sun King of France. Despite his image as an absolute monarch, Louis had to carefully manage his aristocrats and generals to stay in power. Through strategic alliances and rewarding loyalty, Louis centralized his authority and ensured his survival. These timeless lessons are crucial for understanding the art of political survival today.

Wilbur Ross, known as the “King of Bankruptcy,” shares invaluable insights from his legendary Wall Street career in an exclusive excerpt from his upcoming memoir, Risks and Returns: Creating Success in Business and Life. Ross’s hands-on approach to restructuring distressed companies, including negotiating with union leaders and outmaneuvering competitors like Warren Buffett, offers a fresh perspective on value creation through financial failure. One of his notable achievements was his acquisition of Ling-Temco-Vought’s steel subsidiaries in 2002, where he renegotiated labor contracts to streamline operations and improve productivity. Discover more about Ross’s negotiation tactics and his remarkable turnaround strategies.

Charles Schwab, once the pioneer of discount brokerage, has evolved into something much more complex. While Schwab is still known for its brokerage services, today, nearly 50% of its revenue comes from banking services, including mortgages and savings accounts. This shift means Schwab now operates more like a bank than a brokerage, raising concerns about potential risks for its investors. With changing market dynamics and a significant reliance on its banking arm, Schwab’s future may not be as secure as it once seemed. Dive into the full analysis and learn what this could mean for investors.

Judge Jacob Hessels may have spent most of his time in court asleep, but he always woke up when it mattered—right in time to deliver a death sentence. During the 1570s Spanish Inquisition in the Netherlands, Hessels was tasked with trying thousands of Protestants for heresy. His infamous words, “Ad patibulum!” (“To the gallows with him!”) became a common refrain. But one man, Theodor de Bry, managed to escape the gallows, and his art later helped fuel the spread of the “Black Legend” of Spain. Discover the full, complex story and its modern-day implications in our latest issue.

Discover the untold story of how a single spark in Newmarket changed the course of history. In March 1683, a devastating fire not only razed an English town but also thwarted an assassination plot against King Charles II. This butterfly effect set off a chain of events leading to the birth of America’s Declaration of Independence. Dive into this fascinating historical tale that intertwines monarchy, conspiracy, and the fight for fundamental human rights.

Discover the CPUs powering today’s parallel-processing boom and transforming data centers into supercomputers. Join us in exploring the technological revolution driving AI, machine learning, and more. Dive into our special six-part series for valuable insights and investment ideas.

In the early 1980s, Sandy Lerner, a computer geek at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, and Leonard Bosack, a manager at Stanford’s computer-science lab, found love and a shared passion for technology. They connected their separate computer networks, creating the first multi-protocol router. This invention led to the founding of Cisco Systems in 1984. Cisco revolutionized internet connectivity, becoming a cornerstone of the 1990s tech boom. Despite their personal and professional challenges, Sandy and Leonard’s story underscores the power of love and innovation in shaping the tech world.

In December 1945, two young spies, Ted Hall and Saville Sax, collided in Albuquerque, revealing the clumsy yet dangerous world of espionage. Tasked by the Soviet Union, these young Americans aimed to steal the Manhattan Project’s nuclear secrets. Their success marked the start of the Cold War, a legacy of secrets and arms races.

For the next four weeks, we’ll explore an extraordinary investment story in The Big Secret on Wall Street. It’s the next step of the technological revolution, going far beyond AI and machine learning. To celebrate Porter & Co.’s second anniversary, this four-part series is free for all readers. We’ll provide a big-picture view of this tech revolution, its impact, and valuable investment ideas. Detailed recommendations and portfolio updates remain exclusive to our paid subscribers. Dive into Part 1 of The Parallel-Processing Revolution today.