The best 98 Entrepreneurship books

First, Break all the Rules (1999) shows how great management differs from conventional approaches. The authors demonstrate how some commonly held notions about career and management are actually misleading. Based on interviews conducted with successful managers (research that the authors did for Gallup) the book introduces its readers to the key notions that great managers – those who get their employees to achieve performance excellence – use in their jobs.

Inspired describes the best practices of creating successful software products and explains the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them. The lessons are applicable in a range of product environments, from fledgling start-ups to large corporations.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship (2006) demonstrates how to be innovative and reveals strategies that create customers for your innovation. It shows how entrepreneurship can be learned and implemented by anyone and how entrepreneurial skills can be used not just in new ventures but in established corporations.

These blinks explain why the job of a CEO is among the toughest and loneliest in the world, and how you can survive all the stress and heartache involved.

Zero to One explores how companies can better predict the future and take action to ensure that their startup is a success. The author enlivens the book’s key takeaways with his own personal experiences.

Traction (2014) explains why the success of every start-up depends not only on its products, but on the customer base it builds. Weinberg and Mares present proven methods for gaining customers, and help you choose the best for each growth phase of your company. With a bit of Traction, you’ll win – and develop – the audience your product deserves.

Author James Altucher explains that after the 2008 global economic crisis, you can’t wait to be chosen; you have to Choose Yourself. This means you have to take full responsibility for your own success and happiness by reclaiming control of your aspirations and dreams. To do this, the book gives you both tools and effective practices to stay physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually healthy.

The 48 Laws of Power (1998) takes an irreverent look at the fundamental characteristics of power, and how to understand it, defend against it and use it to your advantage These blinks offer compelling insights, backed by historical examples, into the dynamics of competition and control.

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.

The Reputation Economy (2015) explains how to optimize your digital footprint and establish a first-rate online reputation. The authors identify emerging trends and describe how you can improve your prospect of both professional and financial success.

Yes, And (2015) shows you how by incorporating the techniques of improvisational comedy to the business world, you can generate better ideas and foster more effective communication, with the ultimate goal of building a team ready to meet any challenge. The authors draw on personal experience from working with leading talents such as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert and Amy Poehler.

Drawing from personal interviews, The Millionaire Next Door (1996) reveals that many millionaires’ daily lives are a far cry from the stereotype of luxury cars, mansions and private jets. Yet this book also disproves the belief that becoming a millionaire is difficult – anyone can learn not only how to become rich but also stay rich.

Thinking in New Boxes (2013) takes a deep look into the mind in order to create a clear understanding of the creative process. It gives the reader tools to uncover, manipulate and even create the “boxes” we use to organize information, shape our perception of the world and ultimately enable innovation.

Do the Work (2011) outlines ways to help you conquer your fears, stop procrastinating and accomplish the things you've long desired. Learn about the many ways you can fight resistance, the negative internal force that tries to stop all of us from reaching our goals.

The Startup-Playbook (2012) gives you business-building tips straight from the founders of some of the world’s biggest start-ups. By conducting interviews with the founders of companies like LinkedIn and Spanx, the author uncovers what you need to do to make it big.

The Entrepreneurial Bible to Venture Capital (2013) is a must-read for any entrepreneur or business leader looking to fund their next great idea. Venture capital firms seek start-ups that show potential and often commit to the tune of millions of dollars. If you want to make it in today’s competitive start-up world, you need to understand how venture capital works.

The two most important types of conversation you’ll have when founding a business are those with potential customers and those with potential investors. The Mom Test (2013) offers advice on nailing the information you really need from these meetings, and ensuring your business has the best possible foundation for success.

Anything You Want (2011) is a guide to realizing your dream business, which is easier than you might think. These blinks will teach you why the conventional ideas of amassing tons of money, consultants and technology are all wrong, and that the real key to success is you and your stellar ideas.

The Self-Made Billionaire Effect (2014) reveals the secrets behind the world’s most successful companies and entrepreneurs. These blinks show that it isn’t luck, age or external factors that got some of the world’s wealthiest people where they are today. Find out how self-made billionaires became masters of duality by integrating imagination and design, and juggling opposing ideas.

How to Start a Start-up (2015) is a practical guide to founding your own company. From pitching for funding to hiring employees, these blinks offer tips, strategies and insights about the first steps a start-up should take to forge a path toward solid, sustainable growth.

The Strategy and Tactics of Pricing (2010) reveals the fundamental importance of how you price your products. By exposing common misconceptions, explaining the three dimensions of effective pricing and the five steps you can take to achieve it, these blinks are an essential guide to maximizing your profits through clever pricing.

Resilience (2013) points the way to the true path to success. Making your dreams come true isn’t something that only happens in fairy tales; if you’re willing to put in the hard work and not shy away at the first sign of difficulty, you can pursue your dreams and live the life you’ve always wanted. All it takes is resilience – the ability to keep moving forward even when your inner voice is trying to stop you.

Blue Ocean Shift (2017) is a step-by-step guide to moving past competition in an overcrowded industry. These blinks, based on decades of the authors’ practical experience, explain why you should endeavor to make competition obsolete and how you can open up whole new worlds of opportunity.

Side Hustle (2017) explains that anyone can design and launch a profitable side project. It details how to generate an income in the short-term, with the resources you already have at your disposal, and without taking on the risk of quitting your day job.

How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big (2013) is a grab bag of life and career advice from the creator of Dilbert, the popular comic strip. Scott Adams explains how he succeeded as a cartoonist and businessman, not despite his failures, but because of them. He also shares his secrets for maintaining high energy levels and using them to fuel a life of constant learning and improvement.

What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School (1984) is an introduction to everything your professors don’t and can’t teach you at business school. Learn tips and tricks that only people with real job-market experience have in their arsenal, like how to make a good impression and how to leverage the concept of fear when making sales.

Crushing It! (2018) explains and explores why having a strong personal brand is crucial in business. Following up on his 2009 best seller, Crush It!, the author draws on both his own experiences and those of readers to illustrate why having a strong presence across multiple digital-media channels is a blueprint for success.

Hacking Growth (2017) provides online business owners with a game plan for taking their company to the next level. Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown give readers a step-by-step guide through a dynamic and endlessly repeatable process that will spark growth and transform any sluggish business into a vibrant, growing enterprise teeming with loyal customers.

The One Hour Content Plan (2017) is a strategic guide to creating engaging, attention-grabbing and profitable blog content. The fruit of years of hands-on experience in online marketing, Meera Kothand’s actionable advice for would-be content creators is focused squarely on the how. Full of useful tips and strategies, these blinks will help you get your brilliant ideas off the ground.

Find Your WHY (2017) offers something that every person and business is looking for: a true purpose. The authors provide strategies and exercises that individuals and teams alike can use to discover their most powerful motivations, and their reasons for getting up in the morning and starting the workday. This is a useful guide if you’re searching for the right job, trying to hire the right employees or hoping to gain a better understanding of yourself and the people you live and work with.

 “I think understanding your own why – your raison d’être – and ensuring your actions are consistent with it is a big part of long-term happiness and fulfillment.” – Ben H, Head of Content at Blinkist

Be Obsessed or Be Average (2016) is a guide to living life to its fullest. Cardone offers his unique take on becoming a driven and passionate business leader with the hunger it takes to rank among the best in the world.

Napoleon Hill’s Golden Rules (2009) offers a wide array of tips and life hacks to improve your life and bring you closer to realizing your goals. Author Napoleon Hill developed his techniques – many of which stem from the power of positive thinking – nearly a century ago, but they’re still the cornerstone of many of today’s self-help and personal development theories.

The CEO Next Door (2017) takes a look at what separates a good CEO from a great one. Backed up by extensive research headed by the authors, it proposes that ordinary people can become leaders of large, successful companies, and details the steps involved in climbing that corporate ladder.

Never Get a “Real” Job (2011) encourages young entrepreneurs to swear off “real” jobs, foregoing the nine-to-five life in favor of taking control of their own lives. Based on real-world experience and observation, it provides a nuts-and-bolts guide to getting it together and starting up.

People used to follow a straightforward path in their careers from education to steady employment and on to retirement. But the world has changed, and it’s more important than ever to know how to adapt. In Think Like an Entrepreneur, Act Like a CEO (2015), Beverly E. Jones outlines her tips for becoming a more agile, resilient professional in charge of her or his career.

Company of One (2019) presents an alternative philosophy of business success – one that turns conventional wisdom on its head by prizing less over more, small over large and niche over mass. In the course of laying out this philosophy, it also provides practical strategies for developing your own small-scale business enterprise – one that can provide you with enough free time, independence and income to live the life you want to live.

Reinventing the Product (2019) takes an in-depth look at what it takes to compete in today’s increasingly digitized marketplace, outlining all the steps a company needs to take to pull itself out of the past and into a future where the marketplace is ruled by smart, digitally connected products.

On Grand Strategy (2018) takes case studies from throughout history, including ancient Rome and the Cold War, to examine the common characteristics of the world’s best leaders. Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Lewis Gaddis also looks at the common mistakes made over the years which have brought even the mightiest of leaders to their knees.

Trillion Dollar Coach (2019) pays homage to Bill Campbell, a coach and mentor whose advice and insights helped some of Silicon Valley’s brightest lights build multi-billion dollar companies. In these blinks, Google leaders Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg and Alan Eagle chart Campbell’s remarkable life, from the Columbia University football field to the Californian boardrooms in which the digital revolution was planned and rolled out. Along the way, they shed light on Coach Bill’s leadership philosophy.

Secrets of Sand Hill Road (2019) unveils the inner workings of one of Silicon Valley’s most iconic streets. Many of the area’s top venture capital firms are located here and have played a part in funding some of the biggest names in tech today. VC insider Scott Kupor has worked with many of them, and these blinks share their secrets – allowing the rest of us to decipher the mystery of venture capital, how to get it and why it can make or break a company.

The Infinite Game (2019) is a guidebook to help today’s business leaders get back on the right track to building companies that will last for generations to come. It points out the many pitfalls that leaders fall into in the pursuit of short-term gains and shows how they can put the focus back on practices that lead to strength and stability, as well as more revenue.  

Profit First (2014) lays out the practical steps entrepreneurs can take to immediately see a positive difference in their bank accounts. These blinks explain how traditional accounting stands between businesses and the profits their owners dream of, and proposes a new approach that guarantees consistent profitability.   

Elevate (2018) is an indispensable guide to upping your game and living your life to the fullest. Whether you’re looking for a career boost or want to bring more meaning and joy into your private affairs, these blinks contain an arsenal of tips and tricks to help you take things to the next level.

Superhuman Innovation (2019) explores the impressive breadth of possibilities that artificial intelligence (AI) offers to all fields of business, from healthcare to fashion. Rather than cause a robotic takeover, it argues, human-machine collaboration will empower businesses and consumers alike to set and achieve greater goals than ever before. 

In The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth (2012), leadership guru John C. Maxwell shares his secrets to self-development. He reveals that personal growth needs to be actively cultivated; it doesn’t just happen by itself. By discovering your key values, working out a strategy, and taking small actions every day, you can accelerate your personal growth – and live a life full of joy, adventure, and satisfaction.

Sun Tzu and the Art of Business (1996) explains how ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu’s classic text The Art of War applies to the hyper-competitive environment of modern business. These blinks explore how business leaders can integrate Sun Tzu’s battle strategies into their own plans for market domination.

All You Have to Do Is Ask (2020) provides a set of tools that will help you improve your ability to ask for the things that contribute to success. It identifies eight main obstacles that stop us from making requests and examines how they can be overcome or circumvented.

Clockwork (2018) explains how entrepreneurs can grow their enterprises without sacrificing their sanity. The trick is implementing smart systems and standard operating procedures that allow your business to run like clockwork without your constant input, freeing you up to tackle the challenges or embrace the opportunities that come your way.

Testing Business Ideas (2021) explores how entrepreneurs can use experimentation to give their new venture the best chance of success. It outlines the rationale behind testing, and describes a framework for deciding how to proceed. 

The Gap and the Gain (2021) is a guide to finding happiness and fulfillment inside yourself, instead of constantly hunting for external affirmation. By learning to define your own standards of success, and by measuring your achievement backward, you’ll appreciate how much progress you’ve actually made, and experience renewed motivation in every area of your life.

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.

Who Not How (2020) introduces a new way of thinking about entrepreneurship, goal setting, and collaboration. Developed by business coach Dan Sullivan, the Who Not How mindset shows the importance of delegating tasks to others. By inviting them to help you achieve your goals, you’ll gain more free time, increase your income, and develop valuable, lasting professional relationships.

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. 

Partnering (2022) looks at what it takes to develop deep connections in both business and personal relationships. Drawing from interviews with some of the world’s most legendary partnerships, including Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel, and the collective which saved the ozone, these blinks are a guide through the six principles of connection which can elevate your relationships and make an impact on the world.

The Innovator’s Dilemma explains why so many well-established companies fail dismally when faced with the emerging markets they create. This Blink focuses on one of the book’s central themes: disruptive innovation.

The 48 Laws of Power (1998) takes an irreverent look at the fundamental characteristics of power – how to understand it, defend against it, and use it to your advantage. This Blink offers compelling insights, backed by historical examples, into the dynamics of competition and control. 

Million Dollar Micro Business (2021) is a hands-on guide to creating your first online course – and making lots of money in the process. From coming up with an idea that feeds your passions to perfecting your marketing, it provides guidance on how to claim your place in this innovative, burgeoning industry of online learning.

Blue Ocean Strategy (2004) is a business classic that revolutionized the way companies think about market competition. It explains why some businesses can grow uncontested, while the rest tear each other to bits in a hypercompetitive environment.

Zero to One (2014) offers advice to start-up founders. It shows how to establish a monopoly by creating proprietary technology, a strong brand, scalable products, and by using network effects.

The Pumpkin Plan (2012) presents a simple yet powerful strategy to help you grow your business and stand out in any industry. Through real-life examples and practical tips, you’ll learn how to identify and focus on your most profitable clients, streamline your operations, and create a company culture that fuels growth.

How to Grow Your Small Business (2023) is your six-step flight plan to guide your business as it takes off. When Don Miller started to take his business to the next level, he realized no-one had written a reliable, step-by-step playbook for growth. Since then, his small home content business has expanded into a $20 million dollar company, so he wrote the book he wished he’d had. 

Burn the Boats (2023) tells the story of how Matt Higgins went from abject poverty to wealth and success using one simple approach: tossing Plan B and going all-in. Through both guidance and inspiration, it will help you apply this strategy to achieving your own goals and dreams.

Buy Back Your Time (2023) teaches entrepreneurs how to hire the right people for the right tasks, so they can free up the time they need to build their empire. Practical advice and success stories guide those who feel stuck in their busy lives out of the tedium of small chores and into the limitless field of pure production.

The 1-Page Marketing Plan (2018) is a streamlined, step-by-step framework for developing your own customized marketing strategy. With only one page, businesses can build and implement a marketing plan that attracts new customers and drives growth.

Unreasonable Hospitality (2022) illustrates how surpassing expectations can take your service-based business to the next level. Through a collection of anecdotes and firsthand experiences, it imparts valuable insights into customer service, as well as employee management.

The DevOps Handbook (2016) offers a roadmap on how to catapult your technology operations into a realm of world-class agility, reliability, and security. Dive deep into the heart of the DevOps philosophy, equipping you with insights to bridge gaps between development and operations, while fostering unmatched efficiency.

Expert Secrets is an accessible, intelligent roadmap to building a business using your unique knowledge and skills. Think you don’t have the qualifications, degrees, or certifications you “need” to start a business? You’re not alone, but you are wrong –⁠ in fact, anyone with the right amount of passion can start and run a thriving business, with the helping hand of a few expert secrets.

Myths of Strategy (2022) responds to the oversimplified generalizations of modern business gurus and consultants by debunking assertions about strategy. Using peer-reviewed research, the book holds advice on business strategy to the same stringent standards as other scientific and sociological fields of study.

The Voltage Effect (2023) will show you help how to thrive in the rapidly changing business landscape through the hidden power behind scaling. Unlock the four secrets that are your key to scalability success.

12 Months to $1 Million (2020) serves as your catalyst for creating a seven-figure business within just a year. By uncovering a mixture of pragmatic strategies and hard-earned wisdom, it places you, the aspiring entrepreneur, in the driving seat. Your journey to financial independence and business success starts here.

10x Is Easier Than 2x (2023) is part call to action, part step-by-step guide to a life beyond your wildest dreams. You’ll first be introduced to why 10x is simpler, better, and more fun than 2x, then given a clear road map for immediate implementation.

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.

How to Measure Anything (2007) challenges the notion that certain things can’t be measured, arguing instead that with the right tools and perspectives, everything is quantifiable. It provides insightful methodologies and real-world examples to guide readers on how to turn seemingly immeasurable concepts into tangible data, ultimately helping to make more informed decisions.

Amp It Up (2022) uncovers the transformative leadership principles essential for unlocking unparalleled enterprise growth. By revealing strategies for sidestepping common pitfalls and costly restructures, it emphasizes the power of aligning teams with critical goals, shattering the chains of mediocrity, and fostering a culture of urgency and intensity. It’s an essential playbook for leaders aiming to elevate their organization to unparalleled success without the need for external consultants or drastic overhauls.

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.

Do Cool Sh*t (2013) is a guide for anyone who’s ready to break free from the norm. Packed with real-life anecdotes, it outlines practical steps for embracing change, pursuing passions, and building meaningful relationships so you can transform your life into something extraordinary.

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.

Conscious Capitalism (2013) outlines a new vision of enlightened business built on higher purpose that serves all major stakeholders, not just shareholders. It provides insights and examples for creating passionate, value-driven corporate cultures that bring out the best in people.

The Young Entrepreneur (2022) unveils the heart of the entrepreneurial journey for the next generation. Merging audacity with actionable insights and world-shaping vision, it invites young minds to navigate the business maze, tap into resilience, and become the force of change our world craves.

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.

The Financial Numbers Game (2002) unveils the world of creative accounting and the intricate strategies companies use to manipulate their financial statements. Dive deep into the realm of financial trickery and gain the tools to scrutinize and understand the true story behind the numbers. Arm yourself with knowledge and navigate the complex financial landscape with confidence.

The Stakeholder Strategy (1998) provides a business case for building for transitioning from transactional, profit-maximizing models to a "Third Way" approach built on mutually beneficial partnerships across stakeholders. It makes the research-backed case that stakeholder-oriented companies leading with higher purpose outperform rivals in the long run, and offers a framework for building stronger and more impactful stakeholder relationships. 

The Practice of Adaptive Leadership (2009) demonstrates how leaders can mobilize people to tackle tough challenges and thrive in the face of harsh realities that demand new skills and responses. It provides a practical framework for diagnosing situations, distinguishing between technical problems and adaptive challenges, and avoiding common leadership pitfalls that come with over-dependence on authority.

Net Positive (2021) explores the transformative concept of businesses moving beyond profit to creating substantial, positive value for people and the planet. It delves into the revolutionary approach of net positive companies which are embracing a holistic responsibility to benefit multiple stakeholders, drive systemic change, and foster sustainable futures. It offers profound insights into how companies and leaders can be harbingers of positive, enduring change in the world.

Financial Intelligence for Entrepreneurs (2008) provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing financial information effectively, specifically tailored for entrepreneurs, business owners, and managers without a financial background. Through practical insights and real-world examples, it demystifies complex financial terms and empowers nonfinancial professionals to leverage financial intelligence for business success.

Ideaflow (2022) introduces the concept of ideaflow – the rate at which original ideas can be generated – as a key business metric. It also shares practical strategies for optimizing ideaflow at the personal and professional level.

What They Teach You at Harvard Business School (2008) is a candid insider's view into one of the world’s most prestigious business schools, providing insights into its curriculum, culture, and impact on students' lives. Through case studies, math, and unsolicited advice, it follows one unlikely student’s memorable experience obtaining this coveted MBA, revealing both the strengths and shortcomings of the HBS education along the way.

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?

Jobs to Be Done (2016) offers an up-to-date look at one of the most respected strategies for creating sought-after, innovative products. This methodology is laser-focused on customer research and understanding what they need in order to get jobs done.

Playing to Win (2013) introduces a strategic framework that illustrates how companies can achieve success by making deliberate and well-considered choices. It delves into the "Five Choices Framework," detailing essential decisions that leaders must make to develop winning strategies. Using real-world examples, it emphasizes that a disciplined approach to strategy can create sustainable competitive advantage and turn companies into industry leaders.

Leadership on the Line (2002) explores the challenges and risks inherent in leadership roles, with a focus on leading through significant and often contentious change. Through numerous examples and metaphors, it offers strategies for leaders to enact meaningful change, practice adaptive leadership, and maintain resilience in any scenario.

Financial Intelligence (2006) is an indispensable guide for managers seeking to interpret financial data. It’s known to be one of the clearest and most practical resources for decision makers without a background in finance.

$100M Leads (2023) is a proven playbook for attracting more leads than you’ll know what to do with. Through step-by-step frameworks and cutting-edge tactics, it shows you how to build self-sustaining marketing machines that convert at record rates.

Unscripted (2017) exposes societal norms and stories that often trap individuals in unfulfilling lives, mediocrity, and financial dependency. It emphasizes entrepreneurship as a vehicle for breaking free from these constraints, and provides principles for creating a business that generates explosive wealth and life-changing outcomes.

Nine-Figure Mindset (2023) explores the mindsets and philosophies for building massively successful business empires. Drawing from the real-life experiences of several entrepreneurs, it reveals the blueprint for taking your business and wealth to the next level.

The Founder’s Mentality (2016) explores the essential role a strong, clear “founder’s” mentality plays in the sustained growth and health of a company. It outlines how businesses can avoid common growth-related pitfalls by maintaining an insurgent mission, a frontline obsession, and an owner’s mindset.