The Happiness of the Pursuit

Approaching his eightieth birthday, Ted Lamont relates an account of his life for his family that others may also enjoy. His story is sprinkled with "felicitous episodes," because as he puts it, "An alert traveler will observe some pretty funny happenings as he strides down the road of life." The New York Times review of The Ambassador from Wall Street, Lamont's first book, stated that it was a "well researched biography" that supplied "a wry and insightful wit," qualities that also infuse The Happiness of the Pursuit. The second son in a New York banking family, Lamont followed the conventional family path from a Park Avenue apartment to Exeter and Harvard, a short stint in the Navy, student year abroad, and business school. Then he branched out, joining the staff of the U.S. Government's Marshall Plan providing economic aid to postwar Europe. His career in international banking and financing community development unfolds between the World Bank, government positions in Washington, and J.P. Morgan on Wall Street. The author imparts his viewpoint on a range of subjects such as American history and politics, reckless banking and corporate skullduggery, strengthening public schools, and building new towns. However, his tales of work and play and humorous incidents along the way, at home and abroad, give this book its special sparkle. Ted and his wife Buz, about to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary, raised their family and still make their home in Laurel Hollow Long Island.