THE FOUNTAINHEAD
Ayne Rand
Although fiction, The Fountainhead has become an enduring piece of literature, more popular now than when it was published in 1943. It centres around a struggling architect, and sums up the entrepreneurial passion and spirit more than most non-fictions.
THE EFFECTIVE EXECUTIVE: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO GETTING THE RIGHT THINGS DONE
Peter Drucker
One of three books that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has his senior managers read. Drucker is responsible for making now commonplace management ideas popular, and The Effective Executive explores time-management and decision-making habits.
Â
THE INNOVATOR’S DILEMMA: THE REVOLUTIONARY BOOK THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS
Clayton Christensen
Another book approved by Mr Bezos, The Innovator’s Dilemma ask why large companies seem and act like dinosaurs. Christensen was able to diagnose why such change happens, and proposes solutions. It was also the first to popularize the term ‘disrupt’.
Â
BUSINESS ADVENTURES: TWELVE CLASSIC TALES FROM THE WORLD OF WALL STREET
John Brooks
This collection of New Yorker stories revolving around business became one of Bill Gates’ all-time favourite books, after none other than Warren Buffet recommended it to him in 1991. It’s a mixture of success stories and failures, and the strengths and weaknesses of leaders.
Â
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: AN AMERICAN LIFE
Walter Isaacson
Billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX says this book is one of his all-time favourites, likening the American founding father to an entrepreneur. Walter Isaacson has also profiled such greats as Einstein and Steve Jobs.
Â
THINK AND GROW RICH: REVIEWED AND UPDATED FOR THE 21st CENTURY
Napoleon Hill
Dubbed the ‘granddaddy of all motivational literature’ it was first published in 1937, was the first book to ever ask, ‘what makes a winner’. Napoleon Hill champions the now commonplace idea of goal-setting, using examples such as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.
Â