Progress Report #1
First, thank you to those who have financially supported this project up front. It takes a certain amount of trust, and I don’t take that obligation lightly.
Unfortunately, the initial free articles I’m working on will be delayed due to an unexpected family emergency.
Since I haven’t published content yet, I want to provide a high-level overview of the research I’ve accumulated to date and am sifting through.
My research folder contains
27 companies (415+ annual reports and proxy statements)
300+ articles
A dozen court cases
Another dozen books
23 key figures—Pritzkers and related associates
For one key associate of the Pritzker family, I’m reading three decades’ of trade journals where they authored a monthly column.
To the extent possible, each company in the Pritzker saga gets its own brief history—complete with spreadsheets to provide long-term context.
I’m arranging a few interviews with people who had business dealings with A.N., Jay and Bob (one of my first posts will explain who they are if you don’t know).
I’ve been microwaving my brain—I mean, submitting FOIA requests—hunting for digital documents. I’m also reaching out to companies, museums, authors, journalists etc.
A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist is digging through decades-old boxes of relevant research for me.
Four research trips are planned—with two more tentative ones—to get physical records and conduct interviews.
I’ve half-joked that I might go to law school for tax law just to deepen my understanding.
This is scratching the surface. The learning curve is steep, and the pace of published content will be slow at first while information culminates.
My primary focus is this project, but I have several “mini projects” and articles planned—occasional detours to keep things interesting. Even some of those have been intersecting with the Pritzkers at times.
In short, I’m busy turning every page.
I’ve enjoyed connecting with several of you already but feel free to reach out with any questions, comments or concerns.
—Ryan