History & Biography

Leadership Lessons from History: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

Bob Clark reflects on Lincoln at Gettysburg by Garry Wills, exploring why thoughtful leadership, careful words, and lifelong learning matter more than ever.

Person reading a history book indoors with scenic mountain and lake landscape visible through large windows.

Building the Next American Platform: Lessons from At the Base of the Giant’s Throat

Exploring the parallels between America's historic dam-building era and today's AI infrastructure boom, from data centers and power grids to economic development.

Bob Clark in a red sweater holds a framed Far Side cartoon showing a chubby child about to slide down a playground slide where two spiders have woven a web at the bottom; a caption reads, “If we pull this off, we’ll eat like kings.”

The Day We Ate Like Kings

A Far Side cartoon sparked the confidence behind a bold, underdog bid that transformed Clayco. This story reflects how betting big—even when you’re in over your skis—can redefine a company’s future and prove the power of staying positive.

Cover of the book Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne, PhD, featuring a childhood portrait of a young girl on a yellow background, labeled New York Times Bestseller.

Bob Clark’s Holiday Reading List: Top Book Recommendations for Leaders

Discover Bob Clark’s holiday reading list featuring powerful picks on leadership, innovation, history, and personal growth—books worth reading as the year winds down.

“Going Quiet” when everyone else is too LOUD!

Warren Buffett is more than an investing legend; he’s a model of wisdom, humility, and integrity. From his modest life in Omaha, he built one of the world’s greatest companies while never losing sight of honesty and purpose. His clear thinking and long-term vision have inspired millions to see business not just as a way to build wealth, but as a way to build character and create lasting good.

What Stands the Test

I just returned from a trip that moved through both geography and history. From the medieval streets of Siena to the timber-framed edges of modern Osaka, I found myself thinking about what holds up over time, and why.

I’m Bananas for this Book about Mark Twain

I've always liked Mark Twain—who doesn't? But author Ron Chernow digs into the man behind the mustache in a new way. Mark Twain isn't just a great biography—it’s one of the best books I’ve read in the last few years. It’s sharp, packed with fascinating details, and laugh-out-loud funny. And in a world that can feel pretty heavy some days, it really cheered me up.

Creativity & Empowerment with Ja’Mel McCaine

Turning creative energy into leadership is how we build innovative spaces where people and ideas can grow. That’s exactly what Ja’Mel McCaine does as the Creative Lab Manager at the Clark Family Branch.

From Cardboard to Culture: Shigeru Ban’s Enduring Legacy

Shigeru Ban is one of those visionaries whose work serves as a powerful reminder that architecture isn’t just about constructing buildings but also about making a lasting impact on the world.

Beyond the Canvas: How Mel Bochner Changed Art and Language

Innovative art changes the way we see the world – and that is exactly what Mel Bochner did.

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith: A Legacy of Modern Indigenous Art and Advocacy

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith was a fearless artist and a relentless advocate who reshaped the way Indigenous stories are told in American art. She passed away at 85, leaving behind a legacy that’s impossible to ignore.

Remembering My Father's WWII Service

Born in a log cabin near Ellington, Missouri and moved to South St. Louis City during the depression, my father, Harold Clark, was a ne'er do well.

Honoring the Extraordinary Philanthropy of Susan and Bob Wislow

Susan and Bob Wislow, who recently received the Distinguished Philanthropists Award at the 48th Annual Philanthropy Awards!

Preserving Our Shared Legacy: Clayco Supports the DuSable Black History Museum

Clayco is honored to sponsor the Margaret T. Burroughs Gallery at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center!

Celebrating National Read a Book Day

National Read a Book Day is celebrated annually on September 6th and encourages people to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasure of reading – something everyone needs to do more often!

The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World

Dive into the world of Alexander von Humboldt, a courageous explorer and the most influential scientist of his time. Andrea Wulf’s book, “The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World,” is an incredible story of insatiable curiosity.

Es Devlin Dazzles Audiences through Light, Sound, and Sculpture

I recently went to the exhibition An Atlas of Es Devlin at the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum in New York. Es Devlin is an English stage designer and artist who is known for her work in theater, opera, concerts, and large public installations.

Learning About the 1904 World’s Fair with Missouri’s Historical Society

In 1904, St. Louis hosted The World’s Fair under the banner of The Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

The Expanding Culinary Empire of Chef Daniel Boulud

Chef Daniel Boulud is from Lyon, France, a country known for its cultural legacy and rich culinary traditions. I relate to his upbringing in the sense that, like me with building, Chef Daniel was seemingly born into his passions.

The Extraordinary Bill Clark

I was probably closer and more aligned with my Uncle Bill than any other person in my family. I cherished every second I spent with him, and I have more memories of taking advice from him than even my dad.

Receiving the 32nd Annual Burnham Award for Distinguished Leadership

Last night’s 32nd anniversary of the Burnham Award Dinner was a massive success! The award honors Chicago leaders for making the city a better place to work and live – and I am humbled to be among them. I made Chicago my home back in 2010 and moved Clayco’s Headquarters to this great city because of its amazing business community, which the Chicago Chamber of Commerce helps support.

October’s Inspiration of the Month: Chuck Feeney, A Testament to the Power of Selflessness

Businessman and philanthropist Chuck Feeney passed away on October 9th. He was best known for co-founding Duty-Free Shoppers (DFS) with Robert Miller in 1960. DFS grew to be one of the world's largest luxury retailers, catering primarily to travelers and making Feeney a billionaire in the process. However, what made him particularly notable and admired was not his business success but his unique approach to philanthropy.

August’s Architect of the Month: Jean Nouvel's dynamic vision

Jean Nouvel is one of the most important architects of the past 50 years. His style fuses innovation, contextual awareness, and a willingness to defy conventions. I admire his work because it reflects a deep understanding of the relationship between architecture and its environment while embracing the possibilities offered by modern technology and materials. Nouvel’s personal story began in Fumel, France. He was raised in a family of teachers and creatives. He studied philosophy at the Sorbonne but later focused on architecture, attending the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

a book cover of a person smoking a cigarette

American Prometheus unveils the complexity of an enigmatic genius

While I was serving as U.S. Commissioner General at Expo 2020 Dubai, I read a remarkable book that is back in the spotlight. American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, was the inspiration for the current box office hit Oppenheimer. This 721-page-long book is tough to read at times, and incredibly captivating. Twenty-five years in the making and exhaustively researched, the biography won the Pulitzer Prize in 2006. It’s a captivating portrait of a brilliant, complex, and flawed figure who played a critical role in shaping the course of 20th-century history.

The Legacies of Two Great American Heroes

I recently read two truly inspiring biographies on American heroes, And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle, by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham and King: A Life, by Jonathan Eig. Reading these acclaimed authors' latest books back to back is the way to go. They do a great job of storytelling in a way where the audience can grasp the reality of the moment and the greatness of both of these men – even though, at the time, they were in constant doubt about their impact. Meacham’s book examines how and why Lincoln refused to accept secession, attacks on democracy, and the tragedy of slavery in order to bring about his vision for America. He starts with Lincoln’s journey from his early years as a farm boy in Kentucky. He goes on to describe his move from law to politics and then to the presidency and his assassination in 1865. Meacham pays close attention to the influences on Lincoln's ideas and values and how he aligned his views with the emerging Republican Party, an administration that at the time brought welfare to a persecuted and disadvantaged minority.

May’s Inspiration of the Month: Remembering Tina Turner

Tina Turner was a trailblazing icon in more ways than one. Born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939 in Brownsville, Tennessee, she was later known as the "Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll". Turner came from humble beginnings. She started singing in her small town’s church choir as a little girl and was later known to frequent nightclubs in my hometown of St. Louis as a young adult. It was at the Manhattan Club in East St. Louis where she first met Ike Turner after seeing him perform with his band, the Kings of Rhythm. She rose to mainstream fame and persevered through a turbulent marriage and career with Ike, eventually breaking free and receiving even more recognition as a solo artist.

Receiving the Ellis Island Medal of Honor

As someone who works hard to create a positive impact and legacy for the benefit of global communities, I am humbled to be included on the prestigious list of Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients. I would like to thank my friend and amazing North American hero, Anthony von Mandl, for nominating me and attending the ceremony, and my wife Jane and my children for attending.

Transforming the Everyday into Stunning Sculptures with El Anatsui

El Anatsui is a Ghanaian sculptor who has gained international recognition for his ground-breaking work in transforming everyday materials into stunning, monumental sculptures. Born in Anyako, Ghana, in 1944, he studied at the College of Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. In 1975, El began teaching at the Fine Arts Department of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. For more than four decades he was Professor of Sculpture and is now Departmental Head. He recently made the 2023 list of Time’s 100 “Most Influential” people, alongside noteworthy actors, politicians, and personalities. El was honored by the Nigerian art historian Chika Okeke-Agulu, who called him “one of the most impactful artists of our time.”

Enlightening Trip to Egypt and Jordan

My recent trip to Egypt and Jordan felt like a journey back in time! I had the opportunity to visit so many historic sites that were truly incredible to witness firsthand. Immersing myself in the local culture and history was the best part of my trip. I visited Tahrir Square, or "Martyr Square,” in downtown Cairo where most political demonstrations have been held since the early 20th century. Both the 2011 Egyptian revolution and the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak happened there.

Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II

This is great storytelling about winning WWII, American ingenuity, innovation, and how many of the great engineering and construction firms grew into the powerhouses they still are today. I wish this book would have been around when I started Clayco. “Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II” is written by author and history connoisseur (with a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins and five other historical works to his credit) Arthur Herman. This book is insightful in covering the history of the United States’ industrial mobilization for World War II.

In Memory of Rafael Viñoly

I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of one of the great architects and thinkers of our time, the renowned architect Rafael Viñoly. Rafael was an Uruguayan-born architect based in New York. He was born Montevideo, Uruguay in 1944, and his passion for architecture later led him to study at the University of Buenos Aires. He then continued his journey to the United States in 1978, and decided to make New York City his permanent home in 1979.

February Architect of the Month: Daniel Libeskind

Bold, innovative designs often challenge traditional architectural conventions. Daniel Libeskind, known for his distinctive, avant-garde projects, is an architect, artist, and friend whose provocative work I have admired for many years. Daniel was born in Poland in 1946 to parents who were Holocaust survivors. The family moved to Israel in 1957 and then to New York in 1959 on an immigrant boat. His father worked at a print shop in Lower Manhattan, from where Daniel watched the construction of the World Trade Center in the late 1960s.

Paul R. Williams: A Black Architectural Pioneer

The movement toward building a racially equitable society that values the power of diversity shouldn’t ever be limited to just one month of the year, and most certainly not the shortest one. Every February, we celebrate Black History Month to highlight the endless contributions Black Americans have made to American society – and the adversity still faced at the hand of it. This month I will take the opportunity to amplify a few black voices and innovators that have inspired me and countless others to put our best foot forward within our communities, passions, and ourselves.

January’s Architect of the Month: HDR

A design-firm specialized in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services whose work I have admired for many years is HDR Inc. The company’s history spans more than 100 years. Henningson Engineering Company was founded in 1917 in Omaha, Nebraska, by H.H. Henningson, a visionary who cared about rural communities. It was his commitment to people that drove the firm’s incredible growth.

2022 Reading List

I always enjoy using my downtime or travel time to immerse myself in a good book. It’s important for me to stay current with ongoing affairs, whether that’s related to politics, business, or interesting historical stories. Take a look at my 2022 reading list here:

Minnesota’s bid for the 2027 Expo

The World’s Fairs have an incredible history and have given us some of the world’s most remarkable inventions, including the telephone, live television, and clean energy cars. The first modern World’s Expo was Britain’s Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Remembered as the Crystal Palace Exhibition for Joseph Paxton’s magnificent iron and glass structure, it was an enormous success. Since then, World’s Fairs have focused on innovation, technology, and cultural exchange, with themes offering a glimpse into utopian futures. The World’s Expos gave rise to a number of widely-recognized global landmarks like Seattle’s Space Needle, the Biosphere in Montreal, and of course, Paris’s Eiffel Tower. Constructed as the entrance to the 1889 World's Fair, the wrought iron tower – built from 18,000 pieces of metal and named after engineer Gustave Eiffel – was a technological masterpiece of construction. It has since come to symbolize France and is one of the most iconic structures in the world.

Ayana V Jackson Contextualizes History through Curated Moments

Ayana V. Jackson is an American contemporary artist, photographer, and filmmaker who is among the most talented artists working today. She was raised in East Orange, New Jersey, where her family has lived for generations. Jackson’s family dates back to Lawnside, the first Black settlement in New Jersey. Her grandmother, Angenetta Still Jackson, is a descendant of Leah Arthur Jones, a member of the founding family in the region. Jackon’s grandfather, J. Garfield Jackson, was also a significant community member as Essex County's first African American principal, and there is an East Orange public school named after him.

Book Review: URGING endless United States support to see Ukraine purge Putin from the West

The Splendid and the Vile Book Review There are few things more terrifying than watching history repeat itself – especially when that history is rooted in death, war, and xenophobia. After reading “The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz” by #1 New York Times bestselling author Erik Larson, I couldn’t help but make connections between the conflicts and turmoil experienced across Europe in the past and how it is happening before our eyes again today.

A Riveting Read – “Boundless: The Rise, Fall, and Escape of Carlos Ghosn”

I recently read the fantastic book “Boundless: The Rise, Fall, and Escape of Carlos Ghosn,” by two Wall Street Journal reporters Nick Kostov and Sean McLain. It was a riveting read about the success and alleged crimes of business executive Carlos Ghosn who made his career at Michelin in Brazil, Renault in France, and Nissan in Japan. You will have a hard time putting this book about the CEO-turned-fugitive down – it’s entertaining, fun, and to the point! Ghosn had many global ties and a unique experience as he was born in the Amazon, raised in Beirut, and educated in Paris. He gained prominence through executive positions in multinational companies, earning nicknames like the Le Cost Killer for his business savvy skills and Mr. 7-Eleven for his tireless dedication to his work. People admired Ghosn and believed him to be the leading innovator of his generation. However, once the fame and glory went to his head, he became greedier and began down the path to disgrace.

August’s Architect of the Month: Eero Saarinen

An architect with ties to St. Louis whose work I have always admired is Finnish-American Eero Saarinen, who was known as a leader of the second-generation modernists. In 1947, he designed the magisterial Gateway Arch, built to commemorate the westward expansion of the US. A futuristic symbol, it rises above the cityscape of St. Louis and is a great example of how Eero constantly pushed aesthetic boundaries. He was born in Kirkkonummi, Finland in 1910, to world-famous parents. His father was the architect Eliel Saarinen and his mother, Loja Gesellius, was a textile designer and sculptor. The family moved to the US in 1923, where they settled first in Evanston, Illinois, and then in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Cattle Kingdom: The Hidden History of the Cowboy West

I recently read Christopher Knowlton’s book “Cattle Kingdom: The Hidden History of the Cowboy West” and it gave great insight into the open range cattle era and how it changed America forever. The US has consistently proven that it can withstand repeated boom-and-bust eras within our civilization. From the Great Depression to the housing bubble of the early 2000s, to an unprecedented global pandemic and everything in between, perseverance and adaptation are key parts of who we are as a nation. After the Civil War ended, the cattle age brought about the greatest boom-and-bust cycle until the Great Depression, the invention of the assembly line, and the beginning of the conservation movement. Knowlton gives a new view of the Old West and how its movements and cowboys achieved incredible goals, rose, fell, and left a lasting impact on society.

The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir

If it wasn’t so scary, the book The Room Where it Happened: A White House Memoir would be a good read as a novel about what leads the world into chaos and even the darkest of war scenarios. It’s an authentic memoir, not a novel. This is an intriguing book I recently read that offered exclusive insights into the workings of the White House. Written by former President Trump’s National Security Advisor John Bolton, his integral title related to U.S. safety gave him insider information and access to the Administration’s affairs. He spent many of his 453 days working right in the room where everything happened (and the facts speak for themselves). Die-hard fans of Bolton’s former boss quickly try to ignore or discredit him, as Fox News seems to forget that he was a daring foreign policy hawk for a long time before his tenure with the former president.

Keeping it Current – Book Reviews

It’s important for me to keep up-to-date and informed regarding current affairs – not only global politics, but also looking at the world’s business leaders and what has fueled their success. I also get a lot from reading the history of specific issues and events.

Memoirs to Read for Holocaust Remembrance Day

In light of Holocaust Remembrance Day, it seems like a powerful moment to recommend these three books to read in succession. I’m hoping no one in the world will experience the horror, participate in, or be the victim of these types of atrocities fueled by racism and divisive, egotistical goals again. All The Frequent Troubles of Our Days by Rebecca Donner is the true story of an American woman in the German resistance in Nazi-ruled Germany. Mildred Harnack was 26 when her PhD studies took her to Berlin. From 1932, a small band of activists started holding secret meetings in her apartment.

Two Great History Books to Read Together: Sapiens and A Short History of Humanity

Two great history books that I’ve read and that I recommend reading together are Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and A Short History of Humanity: A New History of Old Europe. Sapiens, written by the historian Yuval Noah Harari, does an excellent job of tracing the great story of the rise of our own species and documents humanity’s creation and evolution throughout the ages. Looking into the intersections of biology and history, Dr. Harari takes his narrative all the way back to 70,000 years ago, when the first beginnings of modern cognition began to take place in homo sapiens. He then goes on to trace the start of the agricultural revolution, the scientific revolution, the industrial revolution, the information revolution, and all the way up to where we were in 2014: the biotechnological revolution.

In Memory of Hung Liu

I was deeply saddened to learn that Hung Liu has passed away. She was a prolific Chinese-born American painter and an artist whose work captivated people around the world, and she leaves behind an incredible legacy that is sure to inspire fellow artists for generations to come. Born in Changchun, China in 1948, Liu immigrated to the United States in 1984, where her distinct style of using layered brushstrokes and linseed oil to give her work a dripping appearance became widely known and celebrated. She went on to produce a variety of great paintings, mixed media creations, and installations that captivated audiences with her unique vision and ability to humanize her chosen subjects that are often drawn from traditional Chinese painting and even pottery.

Some Of My Favorite Books

I was recently asked to create a list of my top 5 books of all time. It’s difficult to narrow down my top 5, or even my top 50 books of all time. If you ask me in 6 months, my answer may even be different. However, here are some that come to mind.

January's Featured Architect: Mario Botta

Two architects that altered the way I think about design and buildings are Eero Saarinen and Mario Botta. Both have a striking shift in the paradigm of what buildings can do to change the very way we think about our everyday surroundings. Botta was born in Switzerland in 1943 and attended a high school for the arts in Milan before going to study architecture at the Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia in Venice, graduating in 1969. While he was living in Venice, he had the opportunity to work for Louis Kahn Carlo Scarpa, and Le Corbusier, who influenced his work greatly. Shortly after finishing his studies, Botta founded his own practice in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

January's Featured Artist: Kerry James Marshall

Untitled (Pen), 1998. C-Print. Gallerist: Kavi Gupta, Chicago Kerry James Marshall was born in 1955 in Birmingham, Alabama before his family moved to South Central Los Angeles where he was raised in the Watts neighborhood—known for the riots in 1965 that were a response to police brutality. Marshall witnessed the riots and grew up surrounded by the Civil Rights and Black Power movements of the 1960s, which impacted him deeply and shaped his perspective as an artist.

Building Buttercup

Every building and every place has a story, a history. The history evolves as buildings and places are built, transformed, lived in, sold, bought, torn down, rebuilt, and everything that happens in between. Buttercup Ranch is one of those places whose history Jane and I, and our family, are thrilled to be part of.Buttercup Ranch is down the road from Rosebud Ranch—our current Colorado home in Old Snowmass. It belonged to Pulitzer Prize journalist, war correspondent, and my personal friend Loren Jenkins (who also happens to be full of great stories). Jenkins made history as a foreign correspondent, spending 25 years overseas reporting for UPI, Newsweek, and The Washington Post. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting of the 1982 Israeli Invasion of Lebanon. After serving as Editor for The Aspen Times, he joined NPR, tripling the number of foreign desk offices around the world and helping NPR’s foreign coverage win nearly every award possible. My favorite of all his stories is the one he recounts about being the last American, along with the Ambassador, his secretary, and the Ambassador’s toy poodle, to be helicoptered out of Saigon when the U.S. finally pulled the plug on its presence in Vietnam. He was even in the last photograph out of Vietnam! The next chapter in the life of Buttercup Ranch is to be transformed as we turn it into our new family ranch. We have plans to expand the property and to relocate and restore historical log cabins, each with their own story, onto the property. Stay tuned for a video cam and regular updates on the progress of Buttercup Ranch that we will post here!

October's Featured Architect: Gyo Obata

This month’s featured architect is Gyo Obata, my friend and the gifted architect behind HOK (Hellmuth, Obata, Kassabaum)—the St. Louis architecture firm of international fame. Obata is Japanese-American and was born in San Francisco, coming of age in the turbulent era of World War II. In 1942, Obata narrowly missed being sent to an internment camp for people of Japanese descent when, the night before internment, he received word of having been accepted into the architecture program at Washington University in St. Louis. He left that night. Both of Obata’s parents had been artists—his mother, Haruko Obata, was a floral designer and his father, Chiura Obata, was a painter whose work is also part of my private art collection. Gyo Obata himself has been one of the most influential architects of his time. Following his graduation from Washington University, Obata went to graduate school outside of Detroit, studying under the Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen at Cranbrook. Some years later he was recruited to work for architect Minoru Yamasaki, with whom he designed Lambert Airport in St. Louis—one of the first modern airports to invoke the glamour and ingenuity of travel while the traveler was still on the ground. As Yamasaki’s health declined, Obata joined forces with colleagues and Washington University alumni George Hellmuth and George Kassabaum to form HOK. This was in 1955 and allowed Obata to focus completely on design while Hellmuth worked on marketing and Kassabaum dealt with operations. From the beginning, it was important to them to create a highly diversified firm that had a fully integrated architecture, engineering, and design practice, allowing them to expand quickly and become the extensive firm it is today with more than 1,600 employees and 24 offices worldwide.

Follow Me

Instagram