It seemed natural to, at some point, blog about great books. I am, after all, a publisher. In order to make this list credible, though, I have not included any of the books we have published, or even books by authors whom I know or I have met. So, then, if I have published your book, or if I know you, please do not be offended that your book is not on this list.
What follows is a list, in no particular order, of 10 great books that every entrepreneur or employee of an entrepreneur should read. Some are a bit longer than others, but each book has helped me develop my ideas and business philosophy.
Atlas Shrugged -- The only novel on the list, this brilliant story is not only a great novel, but teaches the philosophy of objectivism.
The Millionaire Mind -- Less famous than the authors' The Millionaire Next Door, this delves more into the principles that create wealth, and it's incredibly interesting.
How to Win Friends and Influence People -- While some of the examples are a bit dated, the ideas in this book are timeless and will help anyone be more likeable.
The Richest Man in Babylon -- The only parable on this list, it is a light book that incorporates basic wealth and investing principles.
Blue Ocean Strategy -- Although more cerebral than other books on this list, you will learn the value of untapped market spaces, and look for them in your business.
The No Asshole Rule -- This book does a good job of reminding everyone what NOT to do in the office, and what to do when people do act inappropriately.
The Art of the Deal -- It pains me to endorse any of Trump's books, but this one was written long before he became "The Donald." It's a great story of making money with real estate.
The E-Myth Revisited -- A great concept for every entrepreneur, it teaches how to take yourself out of the business. (The story of Sarah, however, can be skipped -- it doesn't add much.)
Mastering the Rockefeller Habits -- Although it's an unnecessarily difficult read, the ideas in this book are brilliant and will help your business grow.
The 80/20 Principle -- Everyone has heard that 80 percent of your profit comes from 20 percent of your customers; this book explains why and how to get the most out of this rule.
If you haven't read all of these books, go out and get the ones you don't know well. Even if you don't agree they're great, you will want to know the information in them. I'd love to hear what you think about this list too -- and if you think there are others that I should have included.