9 Best Books on Entrepreneurship to Read in 2024
Do you know how many books Bill Gates reads every year? It is 50! Not only Bill Gates; Elon Musk also used to spend 10 hours reading before founding PayPal, SpaceX, or becoming Tesla CEO.
They are the world’s top billionaires and iconic entrepreneurs. And they have one thing in common- reading books. We are not saying that reading books can make you a successful entrepreneur but surely can make a big difference.
Nobody and nothing can guarantee your entrepreneurial success. But reading books can help you a lot to prepare before starting your journey and deal with future challenges. Now, what are the best books on entrepreneurship that you should read?
We have prepared a list of the best books that every new or prospective entrepreneur should read. Here, we will also discuss how reading books can help.
Reading Books Really Helps Entrepreneurs in The Business Journey?
We are not going to advise you about the importance of reading books. Rather, let me tell you a short story; a story of mine.
In 2020, I quit my job to become an entrepreneur. I searched on the web, read a few articles, and watched some videos to learn about entrepreneurship. I also talked to some of my friends about it. Then, I thought I had taken enough preparation and started my journey as an entrepreneur.
Unfortunately, within six months, I suffered a miserable failure. Then, I realized my preparation wasn’t enough. I realized if I had read some books on entrepreneurship before, the outcome might have been different. Because online articles or videos can only give you some basic ideas. Reading books is a must if you need in-depth knowledge about any topic.
9 Best Books on Entrepreneurship to Read
We have prepared our list of the best books on entrepreneurship by focusing on both theoretical and practical areas. Each of the books is unique and useful in its own way. Check our list here, then follow our overview to know more about the books.
- The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
- Zero to One by Peter Thiel & Blake Masters
- Start with Why by Simon Sinek
- The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki & Sharon Lechter
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Now, we are going to talk about each of the books in four segments – basic information, why should you read that book, the book summary, and where to find it.
1. The Lean Startup – Eric Ries
Title: The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
Author: Eric Ries – American entrepreneur, author, and blogger. Born on 22 September 1978, he is also the founder of the movement with the same name – The Lean Startup.
Publication Date: 13 September 2011
Pages: 336
Why Should You Read?
- To discover the challanges of your startup based on scientific data
- Know the practical (customer-focused) goal of your startup
- Learn how to shift your business direction and strategy rapidly and cheaply
Summary of The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
The Lean Startup is considered the best book on entrepreneurship to many people as it tries to bring some fundamental changes in the concept of the startup. In the book, the author Eric Ries theorizes a new approach called the Lean Startup for entrepreneurs where he opines that most startups usually fail, but many of those could be prevented.
The Lean Startup concept tries to pave entrepreneurs a way to navigate extreme uncertainties by testing scientific hypotheses. The concept offers a framework for startups to test, learn, and adjust their strategy through a cycle of continuous improvement, instead of creating elaborate business plans.
Where to Find?
2. How to Win Friends & Influence People – Dale Carnegie
Title: How to Win Friends and Influence People
Author: Dale Carnegie (24 November 1888 – 1 November 1955) – American writer, lecturer, and public speaker. He is considered a pioneer in the field of public speaking and the psychology of a successful personality.
Publication Date: October 1936
Pages: 288
Why Should You Read?
- To get familiar with one of the most famous and timeless bestsellers of all time
- Learn the ways of winning people, make them like you, and change them
- Know how behavioral change can influence your sorroundings
Summary of How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
How to Win Friends & Influence People is the most notable work of Dale Carnegie. It is not only one of the best books for entrepreneurs but also for people in general who want self-improvement. The core idea of the book is that you can change other people’s behavior simply by changing yours.
It teaches you the principles of better-understanding people, becoming a more likable person, improving relationships, winning others over, and influencing behavior through leadership. In this book, Carnegie shows 6 ways to make people like you, 12 ways to win people to your way of thinking, and 9 ways to change people without arousing resentment.
Where to Find?
3. The E-Myth Revisited – Michael E. Gerber
Title: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
Author: Michael E. Gerber – American entrepreneur and author, born on 20 June 1936. He is known as the “Small Business Guru”.
Publication Date: 14 October 2004
Pages: 288
Why Should You Read?
- To become aware of the entrepreneurial myths
- Know the reasons why most small businesses fail
- Learn the difference between running a company and understanding the technical work
Summary of The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
E-Myth stands for entrepreneurial myth. The name, perhaps, helps you understand why we consider it as one of the top books on entrepreneurship.
The writer Michael explains 2 E-Myths in this book. 1: Most people who start small businesses are entrepreneurs. 2: A fatal assumption that an individual who understands the technical work of a business can run it successfully.
He explains why 80% of small businesses fail, and how to ensure that your one isn’t among those. He describes how running a business and getting technical work done are two different things, and how to set up a company that depends much more on systems, than on people.
Where to Find?
4. Zero to One – Peter Thiel & Blake Masters
Title: Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
Author: Peter Thiel – German-American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author. Born on 11 October 1967, he is one of the co-founders of PayPal. And, Blake Masters – American venture capitalist and author, born on 5 August 1986.
Publication Date: 16 September 2014
Pages: 224
Why Should You Read?
- To learn how to generate truly innovative ideas and initiate new technologies
- Know how competition poses threats to your startup and its profit-making
- Know how your views about the present can impact the future, why monopolies are good
Summary of Zero to One by Peter Thiel & Blake Masters
Zero to One is another interesting book that entrepreneurs should read. It aims to provoke thoughts among the readers on topics – like technology vs globalization, and business monopolies vs competitive markets. And, the mindset you should have to make a difference in the world.
This book presents an optimistic view of the future of progress in America and a new way of thinking about innovation. And, it starts by learning to ask the questions that lead you to find value in unexpected places.
Where to Find?
5. Start With Why – Simon Sinek
Title: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
Author: Simon Sinek – British-American author and motivational speaker, born on 9 October 1973.
Publication Date: 27 December 2011
Pages: 256
Why Should You Read?
- To learn the significance of Why in entrepreneurial activity
- Know how great people became successful starting with why
- Gain the ability to inspire people around you, and become successful
Summary of Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek in Start with Why gave a huge emphasis on a fundamental question “Why”. He tried to find out why some people and organizations are more innovative, influential, and profitable than others. Even among the successful, why are so few able to repeat their success over and over?
He found out that successful people and organizations started their endeavors with Why. In the book, he showed that all the people with the greatest influence think, act, and communicate the same way, and it’s the opposite of what everyone else does. Sinek calls this powerful idea The Golden Circle. The book is a worthy inclusion to our list of the best books on entrepreneurship.
Where to Find?
6. The Elements of Style – William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White
Title: The Elements of Style [we recommend you to read its 4th edition]
Author: William Strunk Jr. (1 July 1869 – 26 September 1946) – American professor and author; and E.B. White (11 July 1899 – 1 October 1985) – American author and student of William Strunk.
Publication Date: 23 July 1999 [4th Edition]
Pages: 105
Why Should You Read?
- To improve your communication skills, particularly your writing
- Get familiar with a must-read American English writing style guide
- Know the best communication styles to succeed as an entrepreneur
Summary of The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White
The Elements of Style is all about how to improve your communication skills, especially writing, in English. The book was originally written by William Strunk in 1918. Later, it was elaborated and enlarged by E.B. White, one of William’s students, and published in 1959.
The writers in this book developed a style manual, offering practical advice on improving writing skills. This small book would help you communicate more effectively by showing you how to enliven your sentences.
This book is not directly related to beginning a startup. But it is a very necessary book for entrepreneurs because the success of your startup depends on your communication skills in many ways.
Where to Find?
7. Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki & Sharon Lechter
Title: Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!
Author: Robert Kiyosaki – American businessman and author, born on 8 April 1947; and Sharon Lechter – American accountant, author, and businesswoman, born on 12 January 1954.
Publication Date: 1 April 2000
Pages: 336
Why Should You Read?
- To know the importance of financial literacy and investment
- Learn how to make money work for you, instead of working for the money
- Know the differences between assets and liabilities which people often confuse
Summary of Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki & Sharon Lechter
As the name suggests, Rich Dad Poor Dad is an interesting book that has easily grabbed a place on our list of the best books on entrepreneurship. The book depicts the story of two dads – one poor and another rich – and the ways they shaped the author Robert’s thoughts about money and investment.
The book describes how we can make our money work for us, instead of working for the money. It says it doesn’t matter how much money you make, but rather how much money you invest. Besides, rich people acquire assets, while the poor and middle class acquire liabilities that they think are assets.
Where to Find?
8. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey
Title: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
Author: Stephen R. Covey (24 October 1932 – 16 July 2012) – American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker.
Publication Date: 15 August 1989
Pages: 381
Why Should You Read?
- To learn how to make behavioral changes and how they make positive impact in your life
- Know which habits can make you effective and change your way of living
- Know the importance of the timeless principles like fairness, integrity, and human dignity.
Summary of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a popular classic, considered as one of the best books to inspire people and make behavioral change. The author Stephen R. Covey in this book presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems.
With penetrating insights and pointed anecdotes, Stephen reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, service, and human dignity. These are the principles that give us the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates. You should read this book for personal improvement. Because its appeal is beyond the best books on entrepreneurship.
Where to Find?
9. Steve Jobs – Walter Isaacson
Title: Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography
Author: Walter Isaacson – American author, journalist, and professor. Born on 20 May 1952, he served as the chair and CEO of CNN and the editor of Time.
Publication Date: 24 October 2011
Pages: 656
Why Should You Read?
- To get familiar with the life and work of one of the greatest entrepreneurs of all time
- Know how one person’s initiative and creativity changed the entire tech industry
- Learn how to become a successful and creative entrepreneur
Summary of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
You might have already realized why we include Steve Jobs in our list of the best books for entrepreneurs. Because it is the self-titled exclusive biographer of Apple founder Steve Jobs, one of the most famous entrepreneurs of all time.
The author Walter Isaacson in this biography portrays the roller-coaster life of a creative entrepreneur, with a searingly intense personality, whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries – phones, personal computers, tablet computing, digital publishing, animated movies, and music.
Where to Find?
Final Thoughts
We know it is difficult to read all the books at once. But before starting your journey as an entrepreneur, we will suggest you read at least 3 of them. Read them all if you can and don’t want to take any risk.
One more thing, the books we have included in our top chart aren’t the only ones we can call the best. They are, undoubtedly, some of the best books on entrepreneurship. But still, there are some others which worth reading. We couldn’t include them to make it simple.
You may find and read the others by searching the internet or checking out this list: Goodreads – Entrepreneurship Books. You may also check this article about the book-reading habits of successful people.
Just remember, becoming an entrepreneur could bring you a lot of pleasure, fame, and wealth as long as you are successful. But the situation will turn the opposite if you fail. So, be prepared very well before taking the challenge.
