10 Biography Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read

Learn from great achievers who changed the business world completely.

Biography Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read
Photo by Alesia Kazantceva on Unsplash

First of all I will keep aside already populous books like, Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance, Sam Walton: Made In America, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, Shoe Dog by Phil Knight.

Because I they are excellent and most of you have already read them. If not you can read them as well.

So let’s see what those 10 other books are;

1. Iacocca: An Autobiography by Lee Iacocca

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Pages: 400
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Iacocca: An Autobiography offers a firsthand account of the life of Lee Iacocca, the legendary auto executive who rose from humble beginnings to dominate the auto world.

This autobiography traces Iacocca’s illustrious career and the revolutionary changes he made in the automobile industry. A motivational read, the book encourages resilience in the face of obstacles.

Quote from pages: “In the end, all business operations can be reduced to three words: people, product, and profits. People come first. Unless you’ve got a good team, you can’t do much with the other two.”

2. Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. by Ron Chernow

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Pages: 832
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Titan is a biography of John D Rockefeller, the renowned entrepreneur.

The book aims to present a balanced perspective on Rockefeller’s life and career, avoiding the extremes of glorification and vilification that have characterized previous accounts.

Ron Chernow provides a comprehensive overview of Rockefeller’s life, from his childhood to his death, including both his successes in business and philanthropy and the lesser-known personal anecdotes that offer insight into the man behind the myth.

3. The Man Who Solved the Market by Gregory Zuckerman

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Pages: 384
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The Man Who Solved the Market is a biography of Jim Simons, the mathematician who developed a revolutionary algorithm-driven approach to investing that achieved unprecedented market returns.

The book tells Simons’ life story, from his early years to his later success as a founder of Renaissance Technologies. It also explores the broader impact of his discovery on the investment world and offers insights on teamwork and collaboration.

Notable Quote: “It wasn’t a matter of being smart, but rather having the courage to stick with it.”

4. How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams

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Pages: 256
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It is a book that explores the author’s career journey and how he turned his failures into successes.

Through humor and personal anecdotes, Adams provides actionable advice for readers, such as the importance of systems over goals and tracking personal energy.

While the book is structured like a self-help guide, it also offers a well-rounded picture of the famous cartoonist.

Quote from pages: “Failure always brings something valuable with it. I don’t let it leave until I extract that value.”

5. Believe IT: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable by Jamie Kern Lima

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Pages: 288
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Believe IT is a memoir by Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of IT Cosmetics. Lima’s journey from waitress to entrepreneur is the focus of the book, detailing how she overcame adversity to build a billion-dollar company and become the first female CEO of a L’Oreal brand. The book blends memoir with motivational self-help, highlighting Lima’s personal struggles and how they prepared her to tackle the challenges of the beauty industry.

Notable Quote: “If you believe in something, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.”

6. Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson

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Pages: 624
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Losing My Virginity is Richard Branson’s first autobiography, which takes readers through his life chronologically, from his upbringing to his many professional and personal endeavors. Branson shares his personal and professional philosophies, advocating for living a full and well-rounded life and taking control in both personal and business spheres.

One notable quote from the book;

“I can honestly say that I have never gone into any business purely to make money. If that is the sole motive then I believe you are better off not doing it. A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.”

7. Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built by Duncan Clark

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Pages: 304
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It is a captivating biography of the founder of one of the largest eCommerce companies in the world. The book delves into Ma’s background as an English teacher and his unconventional journey to building an empire in the highly competitive tech industry. It chronicles his rise to success and the development of Alibaba, one of China’s most successful companies.

The book offers a glimpse into the mind of Jack Ma, highlighting his unique approach to business and his unrelenting determination to succeed. It is a fascinating account of the man behind the company that revolutionized eCommerce in China and beyond.

8. The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company by Robert Iger

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Pages: 272
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The Ride of a Lifetime is a first-person account of the career of Robert Iger, the former CEO of Disney. From his beginnings as a low-level employee at ABC to the head of the world’s largest media company, Iger reflects on his professional success and the changes he brought to the industry. Through personal anecdotes, Iger offers insights into his leadership philosophy and business strategies.

One notable quote from the book advises readers to ask questions without fear, admit to what they don’t know, and put in the work to learn quickly.

The Ride of a Lifetime offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at the man who oversaw the transformation of Disney into the media powerhouse it is today.

9. Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire by Brad Stone

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Pages: 496
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Amazon Unbound is Brad Stone’s latest biography on Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. The book follows the company’s journey to becoming a global titan and explores Bezos’ leadership evolution over the past decade. It delves into the development of Amazon’s technologies, such as cloud technology, Alexa, and Prime Video, as well as its acquisitions of Whole Foods and The Washington Post. Overall, the book is a continuation of the story of Amazon and its founder, paving the way for the future of the e-commerce giant.

The book also features a notable quote about Bezos’ ability to innovate: “Jeff is master of ‘this isn’t working today, but could work tomorrow.’ If customers like it, he’s got the cash flow to fund it.”

This quote speaks to Bezos’ vision and willingness to take risks, which has undoubtedly contributed to the success of Amazon.

10. Authentic: A Memoir by the Founder of Vans by Paul Van Doren

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Pages: 496
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Authentic is a memoir by Vans founder, Paul Van Doren, chronicling his journey from working in a rubber factory to creating one of the most beloved shoe brands in the world. The book explores the decisions and elements that led to the company’s success, as well as the personal and professional obstacles that Van Doren faced.

The memoir serves as a testament to following one’s passions and staying true to one’s vision, even in the face of challenges and change. It is also a reflection on the importance of identifying and solving problems efficiently to keep moving forward.

Quote from book: “What I’ve accomplished comes down to one thing: my knack for identifying and then solving problems. What I do better than anything else is cut out distractions. If a system isn’t working efficiently, I can see where it’s jammed, eliminate the problem, and find a way to keep everything moving forward.”

Conclusion

Biographies teach a about a different view of peoples and their true struggles.

These were some of best biographies for entrepreneurs.

Comment what did I missed?

Have a great day🙌💫

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