ashes of my shelf
Over the years, I've read a few thousand books. Some of which were about business. This list has 44 recommendations.
The Innovator’s Dilemma
His work is cited by the world’s best-known thought leaders, from Steve Jobs to Malcolm Gladwell. In this classic bestseller—one of the most influential business books of all time—innovation expert Clayton Christensen shows how even the most outstanding companies can do everything right yet still lose market leadership. Now with a foreword by Marc Benioff, […]
That Will Never Work
That Will Never Work is the candid and compelling origin story of Netflix, as told by its co-founder and first CEO, Marc Randolph. Part memoir, part entrepreneurial playbook, the book chronicles the company’s early struggles—from shaky beginnings and laughable ideas to market pivots and eventual success. Randolph writes with wit and humility, capturing the chaotic, […]
Shoe Dog
Shoe Dog is not a sanitized corporate biography; it is Phil Knight’s raw confession of the messy, exhilarating birth of Nike. Knight recounts pounding Japanese factory floors in the 1960s, selling running shoes out of his Plymouth Valiant, and facing perpetual cash-flow crises that threatened to sink the company. Alongside him is a motley crew […]
Magic Words
Years of experience as a magician taught Tim David that real magic is all about words, and the way they influence the minds of the audience. What sets a professional magician apart from an amateur are people skills like communication, influence, and engagement—skills that are also effective in the workplace. By applying seven “magic” words […]
The Long Tail
The Long Tail by Chris Anderson explores how the internet has reshaped business economics by enabling niche products to flourish alongside mainstream hits. Anderson argues that the traditional focus on ‘blockbusters’ is becoming less relevant in a world of infinite shelf space, thanks to digital distribution, search engines, and recommendation algorithms. This shift allows businesses […]
Deep Work
In an era of dopamine-driven distraction, Cal Newport’s Deep Work is a rallying cry to reclaim focus. Newport defines deep work as sustained, distraction-free effort that pushes cognitive capabilities to their limit— the source of breakthrough ideas and rare professional value. He contrasts this with shallow work: email checks, social media skimming, and meetings that […]