Alumni Publications
We are thrilled to share the following news about recent books, articles, and other publications written by Horace Mann School alumni.
Leonard Barkan '51 is in the process of retirement from his position as Class of 1943 University Professor at Princeton, after a career of appointments as professor of English and of history at universities including Northwestern, Michigan, and NYU. His new book, The Hungry Eye: Eating, Drinking, and European Culture from Rome to the Renaissance, has just come out from Princeton University Press. Spring 2022 will see the publication of another book, Reading Shakespeare Reading Me, from Fordham University Press. He and his husband have moved from New Jersey to the Upper West Side.
Leslie Cohen '02 is the author of My Ride or Die, released 
in Spring 2021. New York
Times bestselling author Jill Santopolo writes, "Full of humor and witty repartee, this sweet and multi-layered story about the desire to love and be loved celebrates the magnificent power of friendship." As bookreporter.com reflects, "Author Leslie Cohen demonstrates a mastery of craft that is refreshing. Both the language and the plot are engaging, and the dialogue and intimate scenes are well-written and captivating… My Ride or Die is perfect for anyone who enjoys reading about strong female friendship." Leslie's first novel, This Love Story Will Self-Destruct, published in 2018 was described by Gotham Magazine as an "effervescent debut novel." She lives on the Upper West Side with her husband and daughter.
Ken Pasternak '69 writes, "After graduation from Yale I lived in Paris, New York, London, Helsinki, Istanbul, Brussels, and London again, before settling in Helsinki these past 25 years from where I have been delivering executive development programs management consulting. Prior to that I worked at Citibank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. With two children and four grandchildren, we are blessed that they live in Helsinki within walking distance. My wife and I also visit Boca Raton, Florida, as often as possible." Ken's latest book was published in July 2021. Exploding Turkeys and Spare 
Trousers: 
Adventures in Global Business is a collection of one-page stories about his experiences, each with a takeaway about business or life. It is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook (narrated by Ken). His previous book, Performance at the Limit: Business Lessons from Formula 1 Racing (3rd edition), has been translated into Japanese, Turkish, and Mandarin Chinese. Given Formula 1’s global reach (and a new Grand Prix scheduled for Miami in May 2022!), Ken continues to find opportunities to deliver keynotes and executive workshops on leadership, teamwork, and culture.
Dr. Renee Richards '51 has written a new book entitled, 1999: An Eye-Opening Medical Memoir. As the book jacket summarizes, "Medical practice was changing. She adapted. Her hospital was for sale. She tried to save it. Strabismus was a mystery. She worked at solving it." During 1999, Dr. Richards kept a detailed diary of her personal and professional life, and it proved to be an eventful year. An internationally renowned eye surgeon and teacher, her specialty was childhood strabismus, a condition where the eyes do not property align. Medical practices were under immense pressure to see more patients and produce more revenue. This did not serve patients well, Dr. Richards believed. She refused to change. The Manhattan Eye Ear & Throat Hospital – where Dr. Richards had helped pioneer a world-class residency in eye surgery – was for sale. She rebelled and was part of a determined group of physicians attempting to save the institution. Dr. Richards was the recipient of Horace Mann School's Award for Distinguished Achievement in 2017.