Philanthropist David Rubenstein's advice: Read books, help other people

National Press Club President Michael Freedman (left) presents philanthropist David P Rubenstein with the NPC coffee mug following his interview and Q&A with Rubenstein at a Club event Feb. 24. Photo: Marshall H. Cohen.

David Rubenstein, financier, philanthropist and lover of history, suggested to members of a National Press Club audience Monday that they should read more books -- and in  order to be happy doing things they feel passionately about, help other people.

 "I'm reasonably happy," said Rubenstein, who recently turned 70. "What I'm trying to do is race to the finish line."

 "The happiest are not the most famous," said Rubenstein, whose list of organizations and institutions he has headed is long. "Being a leader doesn't make you happy," he said. "Pursue what makes you happy ... helping other people."

Club President Mike Freedman and Rubenstein carried on a conversation in the Holeman Lounge over coffee and pastries. Rubenstein later signed copies of his book, "The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians."

Rubenstein, a co-founder of the Carlyle Group,  is chair of the Smithsonian Institution and the Kennedy Center and also has served as chair of Duke University trustees. He has contributed to restorations of the Washington Monument, Monticello, and numerous others iconic buildings.

He reads seven newspapers ("not online -- I like turning the pages") daily, has three children (alas, "who do read on-line") and said he receives 10 proposals a day he must evaluate. And, he added, "I love reading books."

So how does he find time to do so?

 "I don't play golf," he said, saying this probably saves him several hours a week. "I don't go to bars." Then he added, "I love what I'm doing. When you love something, it's not work."

He realized in elementary school that he wasn't good in the sciences, and hearing John F. Kennedy's inaugural as a sixth grader turned his attention to history.

Rubenstein said that often scholars write too many 900-page books that discourage potential readers, an opinion that has helped turn his attention as a historian to interviews.

As for whom he' like to interview next, he said Queen Elizabeth and the Pope would "be attractive, but they don't give interviews." And asked whether he thought Abraham Lincoln was happy, he said "I'm not sure."

Rubenstein said he had interviewed several presidents, including Donald Trump before he was elected. "I thought he had no chance of becoming president," he added.

Freedman asked whether great persons shape events, or whether the events shape the person. Rubenstein answered  that even if Martin Luther King Jr., Lincoln and even Adolph Hitler had not lived, there would have been others like them.