About

The Project

The goal of this project is to publish a comprehensive account of the Pritzker family. They went from a ghetto in Kiev to the fifth-wealthiest family in America. Their influence spans everything from real estate and manufacturing to hospitality, shipping, finance, philanthropy and politics.

Yet, few people have heard of them, and their story has never been told at the level it deserves.

The Reason

History fades every day. Especially corporate history. Especially pre-1990.

Not just from poor record-keeping or lack of interest, but because people pass away, and companies and agencies actively destroy documents they don't want to store. And then there are the fires, the floods, and the records that disappear forever.

Much of what does remain isn't online. It hasn't been digitized. A Google search won't find it. LLMs aren't trained on it.

There's a lot to learn from history, but the longer someone waits, the harder it becomes. More gaps. Fewer sources.

The Approach

Inspired by the 'turn every page' attitude of Robert Caro, this is a multi-year investigation told in real time.

This means that instead of a traditional publishing model (a book advance – if I could get one – followed by years of silence), subscribers receive 'chapters' of the story as they're being researched and written.

We'll break down investments made by the Pritzker family, the histories, the people involved, the politics and more.

Reader-Supported

Good research cannot be rushed...or underfunded. This project – which will take thousands of hours (and dollars) of research, interviews, travel etc – is supported by dedicated readers. A paid subscription doesn't just give you access to content. It makes this project possible.

Subscription Details

• Starting price: $800 per year
• Lifetime price lock: Your rate stays fixed as long as you maintain continuous membership
• Price structure: Rates will increase 20% for every 100 new subscribers
• Limited availability: Total paid memberships will be capped at 500

Founding Member (Available Year 1 Only)

All Year 1 subscribers are founders and receive:

• Free access to the Premium plan on www.ryanlundeen.com which will have business histories and case studies unrelated to the Pritzkers, and market research
• Lifetime free access to all future projects: If you stay subscribed until the Pritzker project is done, your membership becomes permanent – no more fees. You'll also receive a free copy of any books or major works published from future research projects.
• A signed physical copy of Autopsy of a Merger by Bill Owen¹ (while supplies last)

After Year 1, the Founder Tier closes. A standard tier at the same price will open, unless the 500-member cap is hit first.

About The Author

I'm an independent researcher and writer with a background in finance. I've had a lifelong fascination with long-form histories of businesses and the people who build them.