There is a major problem with lists of great business books, chances are you have read 90% of them already. Here is a new, better list of 66 books that will rock your entrepreneurial mind. Instead of the standard fair, the TPE community compiled this list of unexpected gems. Check ‘em out and read as many as you can!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book is one of my favorite books of all time (and I read A LOT!) It teaches you how to slow down and enjoy your life…even if you’re in total chaos (which is the world all entrepreneurs play in and/or next to). Enjoy!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book is a great motivational tool that supports the old cliche of “positive thinking” – but makes you realize that “positive thinking” is really only half the battle. The book also helps with your plan of action and making better decisions – regardless of the need and what’s happening in your life.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book is more than a recipe for success in corporate America. Ms. Wicker’s tips are effective for building successful customer and vendor relationships as well. This is more than a feel good book. It’s a blueprint for entrepreneurs positioning themselves to win in life and business.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Such a great book! Always a great reminder for those of us entrepreneurs who need to stay positive & focused!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book gives you a tangible hold on the future. New-preneur: It will help you pick your business. In-gearPreneur: It will help you catapult your business to 2015. We now live in the reinvention age!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book offers habits and point-of-view (POV) adjustments everyone should make to change the way they view the world. Absolutely critical for creating success!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Click: Ten Truths for Building Extraordinary Relationships by Geroge C Fraser takes networking to the next level. Is your networking stuck, do you have a pile of business cards and now wondering what to do, have you started shunning professional gatherings because it’s more of the same old stuff? Then you need to read this book. It shifts your mindset from networking to building “clicks”, truly connecting with others for long term success.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurialism is inherently about blazing new trails and facing the unexpected — much like an improv show. Johnstone at one point says that an actor cannot be fully safe on stage unless they are aware of and comfortable with all of their flaws; that’s fantastic advice for an entrepreneur, too. This book is a primer for improvisational actors that I picked up by chance before doing some business consulting for a theater group, yet it’s one of the most relevant books I’ve ever read.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Howard Roark has an uncompromising vision and will not yield in his convictions. He inspired me to stick with mine in the face of much criticisms and doom and gloom
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: In this book, the Stonyfield Farm CEO explains how innovative companies have found many different ways to “go green” and still be profitable. A must-read!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Epictetus of Phrygia was an ex-slave who became a famous philosophical teacher — more popular in his day than Plato. His 2000-year-old lessons (”The Discourses”) are as timely and relevant today as they were during the Roman Empire. Epictetus demonstrates how to minimize suffering by distinguishing the things you can’t control from those you can. The discipline and self-care required to achieve a serene state of mind in the midst of economic and political turmoil will serve you well in today’s troubled times!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book is right on target for building your brand. Entrepreneurs, particularly those just starting out, let us not forget that our brand must be consistent, credible and most importantly is always being watched. Create your signature and move your business to the next level.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Although this is not specifically a “business” book, if you read this book with an open mind and follow the techniques outlined, you will surely see a change in not only your behavior, but your business!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Ants manage to have very productive colonies without having any CEO’s, managers or supervisors.
Deborah Gordon has spent the time in the dirt watching and learning how they do it. We might not want to treat people like ants, but we can still learn plenty here.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: The messages are delivered through entertaining (and provocative) stories of the author’s experience as a teenager working in the somewhat questionable environment of a pawnshop. The setting is a perfect microcosm of the somewhat questionable environment of an entrepreneur.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: You have to have a moral compass when forming a business. It’s as important as technical, or sales, or brand-building skills. It’s not about religion, it’s about having a good rudder.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: At 127 pages, including some with very few words, the book is a quick, entertaining read. Though geared towards the ad business, specifically to Art Directors, Paul Arden’s witty writing style sheds insight on how to think creatively regardless of your industry.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: His advice to never take anything personally is wonderful in both personal and professional application. When I speak to audiences about living well in spite of chronic illness, I’m open to feedback and constructive criticism because it teaches me how to help more people – and I don’t take criticism as a personal affront. I recommend this book as a quick life-changing read!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The
Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer helps entrepreneurs when they’re stuck or need motivation by encouraging small steps. It’s OK not to start big! For example, instead of shooting for writing an entire business plan (even better: prosperity plan) shoot for 100 to 200 words. That scare you? Then go for 50 to 100 words
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Great lessons here about creativity, expression, living life to the fullest, and simply “going for it”. It’s inspiring, funny, spiritual, and memorable. Recommended highly for musical and other creative entrepreneurs and anyone who just wants to read an enjoyable book.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: It won the booker prize – so its a good book. From an entrepreneurs’ point of view, the drive to succeed at all costs irrespective of where you roots lie is an important one. it encapsulates the will to overcome all problems to achieve your goal.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Never leave home without it…your sense of humor, that it. This book, subtitled Quips, Quotes, and Anecdotes about Making a Buck, will provide you with lots of funny stuff for your newsletters, your emails, or your own sanity.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book chronicles how the charismatic founder of Room To Read left a cushy job to set up schools and libraries in developing countries. His approach combines the management style of General Electric’s ex-head honcho, Jack Welch with the compassion of Mother Theresa.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Read this book to discover how to be true to yourself, how to “see” more clearly and how to find your own values, in business and in life.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Written by an architect, for architects, this is on the surface a book about the best way to design buildings and communities. What it *really* is about is how to see patterns in everyday life, and as such, has a unique viewpoint that is highly ‘transferable’ to business.
I’ve found it invaluable in helping me see the patterns in my 42 startups.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book is comparable to an extended version of TPE. I suggest reading it after reading TPE to get details on behavior that may trip up entrepreneurs. Great for control freaks & people who manage by abdication. Identify & modify behavior with this gem.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurs are passionate about their idea, product, business – which is what makes them successful. That same passion also makes it difficult to separate from the emotional roller coaster that comes from the setbacks, fantastic turns of event, losses, and wins along the way.
Although 242 pages of small type, it is broken down into sections that are always around 10-15 pages. It moves you from ideas to action with sections like “The Viral spiral of Emotion”, “Redefining Optimism” and The Power of Curiosity – Overcoming the Narcissistic Urge”.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Tom goes step by step into the secrets of attracting media attention to your business and it doesn’t cost a dime. Most new entrepreneur’s have great ideas and have a hard time getting their message out. This is the right book.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Regardless of religious preferences, there are aspects of this book that really help people put their goals into perspective.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book is great for entrepreneurs because it’s about keeping your brain fit, sharp, and maximizing its potential. It was recommended to me by another entrepreneur and I loved it.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: As an entrepreneur it is important to stay focused on your goals. Most important is a positive attitude. You do have control over your attitude and that will make a big difference in your success.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: The Alchemist is a short and easy read. I think any entrepreneur who has any doubt about their vision and their passion should add it to their reading list.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Christensen demonstrates and tests how new innovations and businesses can become successful, in the shadow of much larger competitors.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book provides a strong foundation to entrepreneurs for developing business concepts through total development and beyond. The title does not make one immediately think of a business book. Written to inspire people to rethink what quality is all about, it helps you in truly understanding who your ‘customer’ is, what they want, what they need, and how to provide exceptional services. A strategy called ‘LEO’ puts everything into easy perspective so you can successfully execute activities. The book has been utilized by organizations to change work cultures, by a rehabilitation authority to change youthful offender behaviors, by industries to improve products & processes, and was distributed to every member of the U.S. Congress. Try ‘LEO’, it works.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Tells of Frankl’s experience in a concentration camp and teaches that those can visualize a better future endure struggle better. Loved the part about two races; decent & indecent people.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book provides new perspectives on the definition of entrepreneurship. He describes how VC back entrepreneurs are really just another form of the employed. Granted, the stock incentives are good, but they are still employees. Given that, he makes the case that corporate employees and VC backed entrepreneurs are really the same thing. He indicates that the true entrepreneur is someone that works for himself and bootstraps his way with his own funds.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Originally written for writers, Bird By Bird’s message crosses all genres and aspects of life and that message is: Take one thing on at a time, do you best at it AND try to have a sense of humor and self awareness in process.
All key aspects of being a successful, sane entrepreneur, at least for me.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Although it was written for a specific intention, ie to help people get what they want no matter what the circumstances or finances, I’ve recommended it to many of my client’s. They have found that it really gets them clear on what, where, when and how much and actually cuts unnecessary time and increases cash flow for their start-ups to mid-size businesses.
I don’t believe the author intended the book to be about making a business successful, although that seems to be her area of expertise, as it really does apply to everything in life.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book gave me the courage to launch my own public relations and photography business. That was in 1998, and I’ve never looked back! One of the exercises I recall was figuring out what was the least amount of money I had to make to stay afloat. Once I calculated that, I told myself — “Well, I can surely do THAT!” — and went on to actually make more money in my first year of business than I had earned annually in the job I had been in for seven years.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: I read this book when I was going through some tough times as an entrepreneur, and immediately felt as though I had found a kindred spirit in the character of the “old man” in the book. His struggles, determination, patience, and desire to achieve something great only to have it all end in an experience that’s difficult to quantify as being success or failure have a lot of parallels to my own experience. The book helped me keep pressing forward at a moment when it would have been easy to quit.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: “Don’t Shoot the Dog” by Karen Pryor isn’t about entrepreneurship and it isn’t really about dogs either, even though its on the required reading list for almost every dog training school. It’s about teaching, training and using positive reinforcement to help improve your own behavior and the behavior of others. Any entrepreneur should find this book very useful, especially in regards to effective customer service.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: I’ve always been fairly “lucky” but had not been feeling (or experiencing) it lately. This book helped explain what I had been doing differently these days and get me back on track! A very logical, intelligent look at how our behavior/actions/re-actions can affect our success in life.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: You’ll laugh… since these are written for 8 year olds, but whether you read them yourself or read them to your kids, they’ll spawn entrepreneur thoughts. Easy and powerful entrepreneurial lessons.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Zorba is the model of the serial entrepreneur. He faces every project with passion, every obstacle with courage and every disaster with a sense of humor. Zorba helps us return to the fundamental principle that success is what you make of it for yourself; not what other people tell you it should be!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This entertaining and insightful book uses Winnie the Pooh and friends to illustrate the ancient teachings of Taoism. Imagine this: If Winnie the Pooh demonstrates the simple pleasures of living in harmony with his inner self, Eeyore represents the eternal pessimist. And Piglet demonstrates the power of Small. Piglet may be prone to hesitation in the face of his hopes and fears, but he has the ability to change and grow to become more than he was in the first place. So while there are clear disadvantages of being small, the enlightening transformation of Piglet, who may seem insignificant at times, demonstrates how embracing the power of Small can make it possible to accomplish great things.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Alice in Wonderland is filled with “believability” tips for TPE’s. One example is a conversation between Alice and The Queen. Alice declares she can’t believe in impossible things and the Queen, shocked, replies that she believes at least five impossible things before breakfast. The Queen lives in a much, much bigger world filled with possibilities doesn’t she. “Belief is the bridge between dreams and dreams come true.” ~ Gina Bell
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book is based on a simple philosophy that you become what you think you are. If you you think that you will be successful and keep your image positive, you will be that successful positive individual in the real world. Silva tells in this book, how to tap into your “alpha level” (a semi-conscious dream state), create a positive self-image, and turn it into reality.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Great book that describes the energetic relationship between what you want and what exists. Not for the feint hearted!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: We’re seeing far too many people constantly pushing info about their products and services, and buy, buy, buy! If they took a few minutes to reread this book and be reminded that one sided relationships never turn out pretty I’m sure they’d rethink their tactics – no one really wants to do to someone else what that *brat* did to that poor tree… and for that matter, the rest of us don’t want to end up without any limbs and someone sitting on us!
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book is about advertising and much, much more. It has very inspirational advice and explores why people do the things they do; namely, what causes them to buy your product or service (or not). Armed with this knowledge, you can affect their purchasing behavior.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: The most powerful place you can come from as an entrepreneur is when your goals, thoughts, emotions and actions are all working together. Listening to Eckhardt Tolle’s The Power of Now on CD, even just 10 minutes a day, is the best way I know to zap you into that power state, remind you of what’s truly important, and allow you to take your best actions from there.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book is unconventional. Obviously, if it includes hippos…But it is about nurturing what we’ve got, and is very inspirational and handy.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: It’s all about going the extra mile by implementing tiny actions each day. A penny doesn’t sound like a lot but if you were to implement a penny’s worth in everything you do you will increase your chances for success by at least 300%.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book might sound like something only a religious zealot may read, however don’t let the title fool you. This fascinating book motivated me (a border line atheist) to take action unlike any book I’ve read. It speaks to the thought-spoken word-action connection and how we create our own realities. A fascinating and motivating read.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: A book that looks at the power that lies within us all. Each page is filled with words of wisdom and appeals to the imagination of any entrepreneur. If you want to find joy and help others do the same this is a great read.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Why this book? As a entrepreneur you must always hustle and strive to gain new clients. Never Give Up on your dream or goal. If God is for me, who can be against me.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: This book takes a look at the most important component of a successful business – you! She really gets down to the nitty gritty of how your thinking shapes your success that doesn’t get mired down in the proverbial “Law of Attraction” platitudes. This is a must read book, especially in this economic climate with many corporate professionals transitioning into starting their own business.
Why This Read Is Ideal For Entrepreneurs: Insightful marketing tips that start up businesses need to know. Resnick’s encouragement for persons to ‘think inside of the box’ is a winner! The book’s title is an analogy for looking within for opportunities (gems) or pinpointing intrinsic value of a product even it means going against the ‘grain’ which by the way is also underscored in The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur. With three sheets of prized, toilet paper + rubies what business can go wrong?
30 Responses to “Best Entrepreneur Books That You Never Expected”
Sam Says:
May 19th, 2009
Thanks for sharing this list!
A link to the amazon page for each of the book mentioned would be great to save some time.
Andrea Says:
May 19th, 2009
Great list Mike,
Definately going on the TSE Read’s list! Oh The Places You’ll Go and The Giving Tree are my favs. Thanks.
Ariane @ FoundationStudio.ca Says:
May 19th, 2009
Awesome list Mike! Thanks for including me!
Mike Michalowicz Says:
May 19th, 2009
@Sam – THANKS for the idea! I have linked all the books (except two that I couldn’t find).
Ruth Says:
May 19th, 2009
So many of my favorite books are on this list, and many more that I know will become favorites. Thanks for posting this!
Mike Michalowicz Says:
May 19th, 2009
@Everyone – Does anyone have a link for #34 ?
- Mike
Alison Says:
May 19th, 2009
Hi,
Fantastic list. Very original.
I would love to suggest another: “Every Word Has Power,” by Yvonne Oswald.
Why this read is ideal for entrepreneurs: Yvonne teaches us how to create success in our business simply by changing the words we speak. As entrepreneurs what we communicate to ourselves is probably more important than anything else we do. Yvonne’s work is basic yet very profound.
Wow! So many great recommendations here. I wish I would have thought to share The Giving Tree he he… ANYTHING by Shel Silverstein is fascinating and guaranteed to stretch the imagination. Take care,
Gina
TPE Blog Reveals Best Entrepreneur Books That You Never Expected! | The Networking Masters Says:
May 19th, 2009
[...] Hop on over to the TPE Blog and take a look-see. You’ll be impressed. Oh, and be sure to check out some of Mike’s other posts… his blog is a must-read! Enjoy! [...]
Dawn@Moms Inspire Learning Says:
May 19th, 2009
Thank you for including Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World, by Gary Hirshberg!
I love that there are children’s books listed as well. Picture books really do apply to people of every age. Many of them have a beautiful way of helping people to see the “big picture.”
I love your blog, and really appreciate this fantastic list! I plan on reading many of these books this summer.
Hazel Grace Says:
May 19th, 2009
Excellent post! I’m sharing this with all the entrepreneurs I know because we all need more great biz reads… I especially like #54 ;D
aimee Says:
May 19th, 2009
Great list! One note, Number 31 is written by Rick Warren, not Warren Robert.
Julie Fogg Says:
May 19th, 2009
I love that there are kid’s books and books that seem like they aren’t related to business. There are lessons everywhere if people are paying attention.
Web Marketing Therapy » Blog Archive » The Best Business Books that You Never Expected from the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur Says:
May 19th, 2009
[...] Michalowicz aka the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is passionate about helping businesses “get rich right” and his insight stands out [...]
Awesome and Unusual books for Entrepreneurs | Wellness for Body, Mind, & Wallet Says:
May 19th, 2009
[...] but aren’t really entrepreneurial books. Hot off the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur presses, my book pick made it into the Top 10! I think you’ll find all 66 books on the list intriguing and worth [...]
Top of The Line Tuesday « Ungenita Beauty Blog Says:
May 19th, 2009
Best Entrepreneur Books That You Never Expected | EBCOT Blog Says:
May 21st, 2009
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Links: Memorial Day Weekend 2009 Edition | Meryl.net Says:
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The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur | Best Entrepreneur Books That You … | Live News Says:
May 23rd, 2009
[...] Go to post [...]
Jeff Carter Says:
May 27th, 2009
Great list! I love finding little nuggets of wisdom in unexpected places.
On that note, I’d add Crazy From the Heat by David Lee Roth. Seriously. Once you get past the stories of debauchery (and give him some leeway for embellishment), the entire book is basically a lesson in self-promotion, something we all, as entrepreneurs, must master. The book chronicles his childhood through the rise of Van Halen to become one of the biggest rock acts of all time.
Diamond Dave worked hard to give his customers (fans) a great product, marketed the heck out of it, and backed it up with talent. Sound like a recipe for success to me!
Julie Fogg Says:
May 27th, 2009
After reading what Jeff Carter said (comment #24) I felt the need to add this book: Coach Wooden’s Leadership Game Plan For Success. I’ll have to check out the David Lee Roth book. If it’s half as good as Wooden’s book, I’m sure it will be worth my most valuable resource: time.
TPE guy reads a lot of awesome books and always shares the wealth. If people are committed to being an entrepreneur, his list of books is a map to the treasure for sure.
@juliefogg
Desmond Pieri Says:
May 27th, 2009
A number of the books on the list are one’s I’ve read and enjoyed and / or found useful. Based on your strong recommendation for The Key, I ordered it right away. I thought it sucked. And I thought it not at all appropriate for an entrepreneur. Basically The Key said, “Accept what you get in life, and be happy with it. Don’t strive for more.” Now reading the other book I bought, #7 on your list, Click. Now Click seems like a useful book. Thanks for the advice on that one.
Best Entrepreneur Books That You Never Expected | Wisdom and Wonder Says:
June 6th, 2009
[...] Here is a list of entrepreneurial books that you might not have expected to be good; at least according to the author. You might find some of the picks odd, but it is worth a quick skim at least. [...]
Reading Towards Passive Income – 66 Excellent Book Recommendations For Passive Income — Quan Life Says:
June 16th, 2009
[...] here’s a list of 66 entrepreneurial books from The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur that you should start reading. I didn’t even realize that some of these books had an affect [...]
Caroline Says:
July 9th, 2009
Excellent list. I feel like a fourth grader who was actually excited to her list of summer reading books!
One of my favorites is “Four Hour Work Week” by Timothy Ferriss. His kick-ass tone and “your-life-CAN-be-good-through-entrepreneurship” message really got me interested in entrepreneurship in the first place.
Great post. Thank you!
Mike Michalowicz Says:
July 9th, 2009
@Caroline – Thanks for the comment. Yes, Tim’s book is amazing!!!!
May 19th, 2009
Thanks for sharing this list!
A link to the amazon page for each of the book mentioned would be great to save some time.
May 19th, 2009
Great list Mike,
Thanks.
Definately going on the TSE Read’s list! Oh The Places You’ll Go and The Giving Tree are my favs.
May 19th, 2009
Awesome list Mike! Thanks for including me!
May 19th, 2009
@Sam – THANKS for the idea! I have linked all the books (except two that I couldn’t find).
May 19th, 2009
So many of my favorite books are on this list, and many more that I know will become favorites. Thanks for posting this!
May 19th, 2009
@Everyone – Does anyone have a link for #34 ?
- Mike
May 19th, 2009
Hi,
Fantastic list. Very original.
I would love to suggest another: “Every Word Has Power,” by Yvonne Oswald.
Why this read is ideal for entrepreneurs: Yvonne teaches us how to create success in our business simply by changing the words we speak. As entrepreneurs what we communicate to ourselves is probably more important than anything else we do. Yvonne’s work is basic yet very profound.
Go to http://www.wholemindwholebody.com/events.html if you are interested in participating in a FREE teleseminar with Yvonne on May 26th at 7pm EST.
May 19th, 2009
Love it Mike!
Wow! So many great recommendations here. I wish I would have thought to share The Giving Tree he he… ANYTHING by Shel Silverstein is fascinating and guaranteed to stretch the imagination. Take care,
Gina
May 19th, 2009
[...] Hop on over to the TPE Blog and take a look-see. You’ll be impressed. Oh, and be sure to check out some of Mike’s other posts… his blog is a must-read! Enjoy! [...]
May 19th, 2009
Thank you for including Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World, by Gary Hirshberg!
I love that there are children’s books listed as well. Picture books really do apply to people of every age. Many of them have a beautiful way of helping people to see the “big picture.”
I love your blog, and really appreciate this fantastic list! I plan on reading many of these books this summer.
May 19th, 2009
Excellent post! I’m sharing this with all the entrepreneurs I know because we all need more great biz reads… I especially like #54 ;D
May 19th, 2009
Great list! One note, Number 31 is written by Rick Warren, not Warren Robert.
May 19th, 2009
I love that there are kid’s books and books that seem like they aren’t related to business. There are lessons everywhere if people are paying attention.
May 19th, 2009
[...] Michalowicz aka the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is passionate about helping businesses “get rich right” and his insight stands out [...]
May 19th, 2009
[...] but aren’t really entrepreneurial books. Hot off the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur presses, my book pick made it into the Top 10! I think you’ll find all 66 books on the list intriguing and worth [...]
May 19th, 2009
[...] this book to give me the winning edge both personally & professionally, enjoy by clicking here http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/best-entrepreneur-books-that-you-never-expected … In the mean time I highly recommend The Slight Edge by Jeff [...]
May 19th, 2009
#31 and #34 have the incorrect author.
#31 – The Purpose Driven Life – Rick Warren
#34 – Thinking For A Change – John Maxwell
May 20th, 2009
@Success Professor – THANK YOU!!!! I made the corrections and set up the links.
@Julie – Yep the kids books aren’t just for kids.
@Aimee – Thanks for the correction.
May 20th, 2009
[...] Best Entrepreneur Books That You Never Expected – Great list of over 60 reads for entrpreneurs. [...]
May 21st, 2009
How about a free one from me: http://www.thecitruscountyclassifieds.com/downloads/2/fsbo-ebook.pdf Dan’s Book
May 21st, 2009
[...] Here is a list of entrepreneurial books that you might not have expected to be good; at least according to the author. You might find some of the picks odd, but it is worth a quick skim at least. [...]
May 22nd, 2009
[...] Best Entrepreneur Books That You Never Expected [...]
May 23rd, 2009
[...] Go to post [...]
May 27th, 2009
Great list! I love finding little nuggets of wisdom in unexpected places.
On that note, I’d add Crazy From the Heat by David Lee Roth. Seriously. Once you get past the stories of debauchery (and give him some leeway for embellishment), the entire book is basically a lesson in self-promotion, something we all, as entrepreneurs, must master. The book chronicles his childhood through the rise of Van Halen to become one of the biggest rock acts of all time.
Diamond Dave worked hard to give his customers (fans) a great product, marketed the heck out of it, and backed it up with talent. Sound like a recipe for success to me!
May 27th, 2009
After reading what Jeff Carter said (comment #24) I felt the need to add this book: Coach Wooden’s Leadership Game Plan For Success. I’ll have to check out the David Lee Roth book. If it’s half as good as Wooden’s book, I’m sure it will be worth my most valuable resource: time.
TPE guy reads a lot of awesome books and always shares the wealth. If people are committed to being an entrepreneur, his list of books is a map to the treasure for sure.
@juliefogg
May 27th, 2009
A number of the books on the list are one’s I’ve read and enjoyed and / or found useful. Based on your strong recommendation for The Key, I ordered it right away. I thought it sucked. And I thought it not at all appropriate for an entrepreneur. Basically The Key said, “Accept what you get in life, and be happy with it. Don’t strive for more.” Now reading the other book I bought, #7 on your list, Click. Now Click seems like a useful book. Thanks for the advice on that one.
June 6th, 2009
[...] Here is a list of entrepreneurial books that you might not have expected to be good; at least according to the author. You might find some of the picks odd, but it is worth a quick skim at least. [...]
June 16th, 2009
[...] here’s a list of 66 entrepreneurial books from The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur that you should start reading. I didn’t even realize that some of these books had an affect [...]
July 9th, 2009
Excellent list. I feel like a fourth grader who was actually excited to her list of summer reading books!
One of my favorites is “Four Hour Work Week” by Timothy Ferriss. His kick-ass tone and “your-life-CAN-be-good-through-entrepreneurship” message really got me interested in entrepreneurship in the first place.
Great post. Thank you!
July 9th, 2009
@Caroline – Thanks for the comment. Yes, Tim’s book is amazing!!!!
- Mike