The best 56 Entrepreneurial Stories books

Rework (2010) throws out the traditional notions of what it takes to run a business and offers a collection of unorthodox advice, ranging from productivity to communication and product development.

These lessons are based on the authors’ own experiences in building, running and growing their company to a point where it generates millions of dollars in profits annually.

Hatching Twitter tells the story of the four men responsible for Twitter as we know it. It’s a tale of backstabbing, superstar glory and billions of dollars that chronicles the drama and defining decisions that made Twitter what it is today.

Think Like Zuck takes an in-depth look at the five principles that made Facebook the successful company it is today. With plenty of insight into founder Mark Zuckerberg’s inspiring approach to leadership and examples from other top technology companies, the author creates a roadmap for success for any aspiring entrepreneur.

Big Weed (2015) is a first-person account of entrepreneur Christian Hageseth’s success in the evolving business of legal marijuana. He reveals all the essentials you need to know about a future in this new market, and explains a bit about the basics of marijuana that any budding entrepreneur should know.

Elon Musk (2015) gives us an insight into the brilliant and difficult character of today’s most innovative entrepreneur. Interwoven with details of his turbulent private life, these blinks reveal why Elon Musk is so determined to save the human race, how he’s worked towards this goal so far, as well as what’s on the horizon for potentially the richest and most powerful man of our future.

The Smartest Guys in the Room (2003) tells the remarkable tale of energy trader Enron – once a poster child for market innovation on Wall Street – and its dramatic fall from stratospheric heights. These blinks detail a gripping story of financial deceit, while shedding light on the personalities that built Enron’s corporate culture and set it up for disaster.

Gutenberg the Geek (2012) examines the life and business of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press, and, by drawing numerous parallels between him and modern Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, explains how he was a pioneer of tech entrepreneurship.

Getting There (2015) provides inspiring portraits of successful entrepreneurs, artists, writers and CEOs who through hard work and perseverance pursued their true passions against all odds. This collection of first-person stories aims to show how you too can “get there” and live your dreams.

The Airbnb Story (2017) tells the extraordinary tale behind the rise of Airbnb. These blinks describe how, within about a decade, three recent college graduates went from being behind on their rent to developing the most popular vacation accommodation platform in history.

Alibaba (2016) charts the astronomical rise to worldwide retail supremacy of Jack Ma and his online business, Alibaba. From his humble beginnings as a school teacher, Jack Ma proved to be a visionary entrepreneur who was far ahead of his time. This is the tale of a man who saw the potential of the internet when everyone else was still scratching their heads over e-mail, and although he ran into one problem after another, he never lost his drive to be better than the rest.

Finding My Virginity (2017) is the long-awaited sequel to Richard Branson’s first autobiography, Losing My Virginity. It picks up right where the earlier book left off, at the start of a new century with the digital marketplace opening up and an array of new business possibilities presenting themselves, including the opportunity to launch a company to take people into space.

"This is a remarkable book-in-blinks with both insight and inspiration.” – Sophie, Blinkist user, Kenya

Founders at Work (2007) is a revealing look at what went on in the early days of over 30 influential US startups. In their own words, the founders of landmark companies such as Hotmail and Blogger.com tell their stories about the many ups and downs and twists and turns it took to make their ideas a reality. They also share the lessons they learned and the insight they’ve gained looking back on the trials and tribulations of those chaotic early days.

To Pixar and Beyond (2016) tells the story of how Lawrence Levy and Steve Jobs turned an unknown and struggling computer imaging company – Pixar – into an animation studio worth billions of dollars. Along the way, the company faced numerous internal and external challenges, tackling each with creative and strategic decisions that ultimately led to its success.

How I Built This (2020) is a journey along the circuitous road to entrepreneurial success. Based on the top business podcast on iTunes, with 200 million downloads to date, How I Built This chronicles the ascension of dozens of the world’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, examining their darkest moments as well as their greatest triumphs. 

Resilient (2021) is an intimate account of entrepreneur Sevetri Wilson’s journey from self-funding her first company to securing ongoing capital for her second. It provides early-stage founders insight into every step of building a business – from initial concept to securing the finances needed to scale.

Liftoff (2021) tells the story of SpaceX’s beginnings – from the day that Elon Musk resolved to send rockets to Mars, through the first failed launch attempts on the tropical island of Omelek, to the make-or-break fourth flight. From a scrappy new venture to the world-renowned rocket company we know today, Liftoff has the inside scoop on SpaceX.

Choose Possibility (2021) provides a roadmap to building the smarts and courage it takes to become a master of risk. Drawn from tech leader Sukhinder Singh Cassidy’s winding path through business, it debunks the myth that risk is all about singular, life-altering choices. Instead, it shows how risk-taking is a process, a practice and a skill that can unlock your professional potential.

The Innovation Stack (2020) explores what it takes to be a true entrepreneur – that is, to find a problem no one else has solved, and do everything you can to solve it. It reveals how two friends built a billion-dollar financial-services company from the ground up through courage, ingenuity, and a touch of humor. 

The Common Path to Uncommon Success (2021) arms you with the tools to create valuable content and turn it into financial independence. Drawing on more than 3,000 interviews with successful entrepreneurs, it lays bare the path to transforming your big idea into a profitable business.

The Cult of We (2021) tells the story of how the office-space company WeWork became the world’s most valued startup – only to come crashing down a few years later. Written by the reporters who broke the story of WeWork’s disastrous downfall in 2019, it explores WeWork's trajectory through a journalistic and financial lens, demonstrating how the most prominent investors in the world were blinded to the company’s risks for nearly a decade.

Scale for Success (2021) is a guide to turning your small business into a far bigger and more successful enterprise than it is today. From crowdfunding to job descriptions, it covers the ins and outs – and highs and lows – of scaling up any firm.

The Contrarian (2021) is a biography of controversial venture capitalist, tech investor, and PayPal founder Peter Thiel. It explains how Thiel’s politics have informed his career – and how he became one of the most powerful people in the US.

Masters of Scale (2021) is part fascinating anecdote, part how-to guide for entrepreneurs who are preparing to launch their product or scale up their company. With case studies and stories behind some of the world’s biggest companies, it isolates the principles behind successfully scaling up.

Power Play (2021) tells the story of Tesla’s rise from overambitious start-up to one of the most valuable players in the global auto industry. It charts the company’s rapid rise, its operational and financial struggles, and the leadership of its volatile CEO, Elon Musk.

Everybody Has a Podcast (2021) is an inspiring, hands-on guide to making your own podcast. From choosing a topic to building an audience, podcasting doesn’t have to be intimidating. Even if you’re short on cash and not particularly tech-savvy, you can create something great with a bit of tenacity and persistence.

The Cold Start Problem (2021) explains what network effects are, how they work in practice, while illustrating them with real-world examples, from companies like Zoom, Airbnb and Uber. From getting tech companies off the ground in the 21st century, to the population dynamics of meerkats, The Cold Start Problem is an in-depth look at the way networks develop and interact with each other.

Super Founders (2021) offers an in-depth analysis behind the success of billion-dollar startups. After crunching over 30,000 data points, it unravels the multitude of false notions surrounding tech unicorns and reveals what it really takes to make it in Silicon Valley. 

Disrupt You! (2015) is an entrepreneur’s guide to driving innovation and impact. It draws on some of the biggest success stories in business and offers actionable tips for solving real-world problems and finding opportunity in failure. 

Working Backwards (2021) tells the story of how Amazon changed the way people live. It explores founder Jeff Bezos’ leadership philosophy, and reveals how this philosophy has informed Amazon’s most iconic products and services. 

Build (2022) is a self-styled “mentor in a box” –⁠ an encyclopedia of business advice about everything from getting a job and managing a team to telling a story around your product and being a successful CEO. A mentor is an absolute must-have for anyone who aspires to start and run a business –⁠ but not everyone has one available right away. That’s what Build is for.

Make No Small Plans (2022) is the inside story of how a group of young entrepreneurs created one of the world’s most exciting platforms for global events and conferences – the Summit Series. This isn’t just a chance for them to recount their company’s history, though. Packed with actionable takeaways and business wisdom, this is a book designed to inspire readers on their own entrepreneurial journeys.

The Perfect Day to Boss Up (2021) is a swaggering, no-nonsense road map to becoming the CEO of your life. Drawing on hip-hop icon Rick Ross’s life, it divulges behind-the-scenes stories, advice, and mindsets that’ll guide you on your own path to success.

Build for Tomorrow (2022) is an action plan detailing how to navigate the four phases of change: Panic, Adaptation, New Normal, and Wouldn't Go Back. It details stories of dramatic changes in the past that brought us the things we enjoy today, as well as lessons learned from various entrepreneurs who lived through monumental changes and emerged successful.

The Journey Beyond Fear (2021) is a guide to overcoming fear and reaching your full potential. During his 40-year career in Silicon Valley, Hagel has identified three practical tools that anyone can benefit from. Here, he explains exactly how to use them, so you can make the most of exciting new opportunities in your professional and personal life.

No Red Lights (2022) is part-autobiography, part-guidebook to assembling the core fundamentals of your career. Geared primarily toward aspiring venture capitalists but helpful for anyone interested in business, it’s packed with instructive lessons and useful advice. Simultaneously, it is a glimpse into the life of man who’s spent 50 years learning –⁠ and living –⁠ the tricks of the trade.

Unprepared to Entrepreneur (2021) is a frank, lively guide to starting a business for those who fear they don’t have the requisite knowledge, worry they’ll fail, or aren’t sure how to begin. Packed with practical tips and personal anecdotes, it shows you that to be successful in the business world, you don’t need a perfect plan or an expensive degree. You just need a vision, the motivation –⁠ or madness –⁠ to make it happen, and the resilience to always get back up on your feet.

Burn Rate (2022) is the no-holds-barred story of Andy Dunn, cofounder of menswear startup Bonobos, and his struggles with bipolar disorder. Long in denial about his diagnosis, Dunn eventually faced up to the condition – but not before it had nearly cost him everything.

Power Failure (2022) details the rise and fall of General Electric – once a great success story of international business.  But its legacy went badly awry, as even casual consumers of business news will remember. Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon (2022) gives a startlingly detailed account inside the behemoth corporation, examining what went right – and then wrong.

The Direct to Consumer Playbook (2022) takes a look at how some of the world’s top e-commerce brands got to where they are today. Through a series of inspiring interviews with DTC founders, you’ll discover stories of both failure and success – and be much better placed to build your own DTC company.

Confidence Man (2022) is a full account of Trump’s life in the spotlight. It tracks his career from early New York real estate deals to his tumultuous tenure in the White House. It shows how his aggressive personality was molded early on and only intensified as the stage grew bigger.

Unfiltered (2022) blends a practical business handbook with Rachel Pedersen’s inspirational journey from a single-mom on welfare to the CEO of two multi-million dollar companies. Using the challenges she’s faced and the lessons she’s learned along the way, Pedersen gives aspiring entrepreneurs the tools to start and grow their dream business on their own terms.

When the Heavens Went on Sale (2023) is a trip into the wild new Space Age sparked by Elon Musk and accelerated by like-minded space geniuses. Buckle up for a mind-blowing journey through space tech innovation and the future of humanity.

Third Shift Entrepreneur (2021) offers an effective mindset and strategies for starting or growing your business – without having to quit your day job. It weaves key observations throughout a fictional narrative about a group of entrepreneurs, then breaks out these points for closer examination with examples from real-world startup scenarios.

The 7 Powers (2016) is about the strategic positions that have won great success for many companies and brought great failure to others. It gives case studies for each power as well as insights into why these powers did or didn’t work.

Emotion by Design (2022) explores the creative philosophies that can differentiate your brand from the rest. It features lessons and stories from the author’s design and marketing experience at Nike.   

The Story of "Nike: Going Public" recounts the journey of sports industry titan Nike as it transitioned from a private to a public company, an important move to rescue the business. Navigating the hurdles of going public was no easy task, as this narrative unveils the trials faced by Phil Knight, Nike's CEO, and his eventual triumph.

Reminiscences of a Stock Operator (1923) looks at the life and trading strategies of Jesse Livermore, a professional stock and commodities trader, through the pseudonymous character of Larry Livingston. It explores the psychological challenges and strategic complexities of trading, offering timeless insights into market behavior and the discipline required for success in the financial world.

Invent and Wander (2020) is a collection of writings and insights by Amazon's founder that encapsulates his professional journey and vision for progress and innovation. Through Jeff Bezos's annual shareholder letters, speeches, and interviews, the book explores his philosophy of continuous innovation and an obsession with customer satisfaction, and provides a roadmap for anyone interested in navigating the rapidly changing world of technology and business.

Sol Price: Retail Revolutionary & Social Innovator (2012) is a deep-dive into the life and legacy of Sol Price, a pivotal figure who reshaped consumer behavior in the United States and across the world. Authored by his son, it illuminates Price's disruptive retail strategies that birthed FedMart and Price Club, and spotlights his steadfast commitment to employee welfare and customer value, a practice that became an ethical cornerstone of his expansive business empire.

Play Nice But Win (2021) takes you into the thrilling world of tech entrepreneurship, offering a front-row seat to a saga of innovation, resilience, and reinvention. From humble beginnings to industry-shaping breakthroughs, you'll uncover invaluable lessons within the rollercoaster journey of one of technology's biggest disruptors. It's a riveting exploration that strikes the perfect balance between playing nice and winning big in business, and in life.

The Toyota Way (2003) delves into Toyota's unique approach to lean manufacturing and continuous improvement. It shares the foundational principles that drive Toyota's exceptional operational and organizational culture, emphasizing long-term thinking, respect for people, and problem-solving. These principles have revolutionized business, and have been adapted and applied beyond manufacturing to various sectors and industries.

Electronic Value Exchange (2011) follows the story of Dee Ward Hock, a junior college graduate from a low-income family who created one of the most important financial organizations the world has ever seen: Visa. With historical context about America’s banking system and early credit cards, it reveals how BankAmericard went from near disaster to global success – and became the trusted Visa card we all know today.

Happy Sexy Millionaire (2021) is part unfiltered memoir, part practical guide, and part desperate plea to today’s connected generation. Challenging pervasive narratives around what we “should” be chasing, it posits that fulfillment, genuine relationships, and intrinsic success are the true markers of a life well lived, and offers a range of strategies to get you on your way. 

Visa (2001) chronicles the humble beginnings of the founder of the Bank of America whose vision to financially empower the people gave rise to an idea that today connects over 22,000 banks and financial institutions.

The Heart of Business (2021) recounts how former Best Buy CEO, Hubert Joly, led the electronics retailer to a remarkable turnaround by building a people-centric culture focused on a higher purpose. It provides a roadmap for value-driven leadership that engages employees, serves customers, and creates sustainable value for all stakeholders.

Going Infinite (2023) offers a behind-the-scenes look at the scandal surrounding Sam Bankman-Fried and the epic collapse of his cryptocurrency companies. It aims to answer the question: How can a man go from earning billions of dollars in a matter of years to losing it all in a matter of months?