Discover impactful book recommendations that shape the minds of top business builders. Highlights include timeless wisdom from 'The Book of Charlie' and management insights from 'Traction.' Dive into thought-provoking titles like Yuval Noah Harari's works, along with engaging narratives from 'The Loop Files' and 'Mosquito Bowl.' Explore the critical roles of teamwork, intentional choices, and personal growth through literature in a fast-paced business environment. It's a treasure trove of resources for the entrepreneurial spirit!
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The Book of Charlie
Emily Holdman recommends "The Book of Charlie" by David Von Drehle.
It shares wisdom from a 109-year-old man who lived through significant societal changes.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Traction for Business Growth
Suzanne Yoon recommends "Traction" by Gino Wickman for building an operating system in a company.
It helps create accountability and growth within the organization.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Books on Humanity's Future
Tim Schulte recommends Yuval Noah Harari's books.
Consider reading "Sapiens," "Homo Deus," and "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" to understand humanity and its future.
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The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II
Buzz Bissinger
The Mosquito Bowl tells the story of a group of outstanding college football players who joined the Marines during World War II. The book recounts their lives, families, and the brutal training and battles they endured, culminating in the bloody fight for Okinawa, where many of them did not survive. Bissinger combines sports and military history to deliver a vivid portrait of college football before and during WWII, and provides illuminating insights into Marine history and the Pacific war. The narrative highlights the courage and sacrifice of these young men and explores the broader context of American values and the politics of the war[2][4][5].
What It Takes
The Way to the White House
Richard Ben Cramer
In this comprehensive and engaging book, Richard Ben Cramer provides an in-depth analysis of the 1988 U.S. presidential election. The book delves into the lives and campaigns of the major candidates, including George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis, Joe Biden, Gary Hart, and others. Cramer's narrative explores the personal and political aspects of each candidate, offering a rich and nuanced understanding of what it takes to run for the highest office in the United States.
The Book of Charlie
None
David von Drehle
The Loop Files
The Loop Files
A History of Outrageous Radio Station
Rick Kaempfer
The Fund
Rob Copeland
Greenlights
Matthew McConaughey
Greenlights is a candid and unconventional memoir by Matthew McConaughey. The book blends wild stories, life lessons, and poetic insights, offering a roadmap to catching more 'greenlights'—those moments when everything in life seems to go your way. McConaughey draws on his 36 years of journaling to share his approach to living, which emphasizes recognizing and embracing the greenlights in life, even when they are disguised as yellow or red lights. The book is a celebration of life, gratitude, and self-dedication, and it provides practical advice on navigating life's challenges and finding success and happiness.
Startup
Jerry Kaplan
The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who has been expelled from Pencey Prep, as he spends three days wandering around New York City. The novel explores Holden's disillusionment with the world around him, his feelings of loneliness and disconnection, and his struggle to find genuine relationships. Despite his cynicism and criticism of others as 'phonies,' Holden reveals a deep emotional sensitivity, particularly in his interactions with his younger sister Phoebe. The book delves into themes of adolescent angst, the loss of innocence, and the search for meaning and purpose in a seemingly superficial world[2][4][5].
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
Robin Sharma
The book tells the story of Julian Mantle, a successful but stressed lawyer who suffers a heart attack and decides to leave his luxurious life behind to find meaning and balance in the Himalayan Mountains. There, he learns seven virtues from the Sages of Sivana, which he later shares with his former colleague, John. The book provides a grounding in core concepts of spirituality and self-improvement, drawing on Buddhist beliefs and practices like meditation and accepting each moment as it comes, but is written for secular readers. It emphasizes the importance of inner peace, the interconnectedness of all life, and living a peaceful, healthy, and fulfilling life.
Leadership and Self Deception
Dick Ruhe
The Arbinger Institute
Die with Zero
Bill Perkins
Die with Zero presents a provocative philosophy and practical guide on how to get the most out of your money and your life. Bill Perkins argues against over-saving and under-living, advocating for investing in experiences early and maximizing positive life experiences. The book introduces concepts like 'time-bucketing,' 'net worth curve,' and 'fulfillment curve' to help readers optimize their life stages and make the most of their resources. Drawing from his own life experiences and insights from psychological science and behavioral finance, Perkins makes a compelling case for living large and accumulating memorable experiences rather than wealth.
Shoe Dog
Phil Knight
Shoe Dog is a memoir that chronicles the journey of Phil Knight as he builds Nike from its humble beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports. The book is a personal and detailed account of Knight's experiences, from his early days selling Japanese running shoes out of the trunk of his car to the global brand Nike is today. It highlights his relentless work ethic, the challenges he faced, and the key relationships with his partners and employees that were crucial to the company's success. The memoir also touches on Knight's personal life, including his family and the emotional struggles he encountered along the way[1][3][4].
Building a Second Brain
Tiago Forte
Traction
Get a Grip on Your Business
Gino Wickman
In Traction, Gino Wickman provides a systematic approach to achieving business success through the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). The book focuses on six key components: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction. It helps business leaders clarify their vision, align their leadership team, solve common business problems, and foster healthy communication and discipline within the organization. The EOS system is designed to help businesses overcome frustrations such as lack of control, people issues, insufficient profit, hitting the ceiling, and feeling stuck. The book offers practical tools, real-world examples, and actionable strategies to drive sustainable growth and improve business operations.
In this special episode, we gather impactful book recommendations from our guests, offering insights into the minds of leading business builders. Episode Highlights:
1:12 - Emily Holdman: Recommends "The Book of Charlie" by David Von Drehle for its profound wisdom and applicability to life changes.
10:03 - Tim Schulte: Suggests Yuval Noah Harari’s "Sapiens," "Homo Deus," and "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" as thought-provoking reads on humanity and its future.
16:43 - Josh Adams: Highlights "What It Takes" by Stephen Schwarzman, "Greenlights" by Matthew McConaughey and "Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight emphasizing the engaging storytelling and life lessons.
19:31 - Bob Belke: Discusses "Die With Zero" by Bill Perkins, advocating for investing in life experiences, and "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" by Robin Sharma for its insights on living a fulfilled life.
31:45 - Erik Ginsberg: Recommends "Leadership and Self Deception" by The Arbinger Institute for its insights on self-awareness and organizational behavior.
33:21 - Darren Herman: Offers "Startup" by Jerry Kaplan for its diary-format insights on building a technology company, and reflects on "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger as an inspirational read.
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business 
