If you plan to be beachside, poolside, inside or on the road this summer, it’s the perfect time to explore the Investment Team’s recommended biography reading list. Whether you’re looking to be inspired, gain insights or simply looking for a great real-life story, you’ll be sure to find it here.
A Man for All Markets: From Las Vegas to Wall Street, How I Beat the Dealer and the Market by Edward O. Thorp
It shouldn't be surprising that the person who invented quantitative finance also came up with card counting. The former math professor tells the story of how and why he used math to beat both casinos and Wall Street.
Recommended by Tye
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Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Another book that inspired an award-winning work, it chronicles the history of one of America's founding fathers. The story goes from his childhood as an orphan in the Caribbean to his death in a duel with Aaron Burr.
Recommended by Jason
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Am I Being Too Subtle?: Straight Talk From a Business Rebel by Sam Zell
Examining the relationship between the nature of risk and effective risk taking throughout the life of real estate developer and investor.
Recommended by Stas
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An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean: Antarctic Survivor by Michael Smith
It's not a finance book but a great story about resilience, determination and humility.
Recommended by Claire
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Ask Your Developer: How to Harness the Power of Software Developers and Win in the 21st Century by Jeff Lawson
Co-founder and CEO of Twilio talks about how to maximize the benefits of digitalization for companies, irrespective of industry. As a former developer, Lawson provides insights from both the board room and behind the coding console.
Recommended by Jason
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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
The life story of an American founding father and polymath (inventor, politician, writer and more) directly from the man himself.
Recommended by Syd
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Buffet: The making of an American Capitalist by Roger Lowenstein
The author spoke with Buffett's family, friends and professional associates to get a deeper insight into one of the greatest investors ever.
Recommended by Tye
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Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life by Justine Picardie
Perfume maker and fashion designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel started her life as an orphan to become a household name (and scent). The book examines the hidden backstory behind the secretive icon and the influences to her design philosophy.
Recommended by Tye
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Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy by Isadore Sharp
Explaining principles of exceptional service through the life story of Canadian hotelier.
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Invent and Wander: The Collected Writings by Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos' letter to shareholders and speeches by Amazon's founder. His writing covers his thoughts on business, customers and even policy.
Recommended by Frank
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Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony by Akio Morita
Sony's former chairman tells stories behind the company's rise after World War II. He discusses how the company expanded beyond Japanese borders to become a global business.
Recommended by Tye
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Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul by Howard Schultz & Joanne Gordon
The Starbucks founder details the story of his return to the company in 2008 to help turnaround its failing fortunes.
Recommended by Jason
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Sam Walton: Made In America par Sam Walton et John Huey
Founder of Walmart explaining principles of retail innovation through the lens of retail entrepreneur.
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Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
Before it became one of the largest sportswear companies in the world, it was a plucky underdog. The book tells the story of Nike's rise - from being sold out of the trunk of its founder's car, the creation of its "swoosh" logo and finally becoming a global icon.
Recommended by Steven
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Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman by Richard P. Feynman & Ralph Leighton
A collection of conversations with the Nobel Prize-winning physicist covering a variety of subjects from science to samba.
Recommended by Frank
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Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Inspiration for the Oscar-winning film, Lincoln, this book shows how the 16th President of the United States rallied former opponents to work as his cabinet.
Recommended by Jason
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The 38 Letters from J.D. Rockefeller to his son: Perspectives, Ideology, and Wisdom by G. Ng & M. Tan
The letters that industrialist Rockefeller sent to his son. It's full of the learnings that he wanted to pass on.
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The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King by Rich Cohen
The story of a man who went from selling fruit at a roadside stand to helping overthrow governments in Central America to protect his banana empire.
Recommended by Tye
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The Man Who Solved the Market: How Jim Simons Launched the Quant Revolution by Gregory Zuckerman
Go behind the scenes as a gripping story is told how a world-class mathematician and former code breaker mastered the market.
Recommended by Greg
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The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder
Buffett himself spoke with the writer to provide readers with unprecedented access to the mind of a legend.
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The Unpublished David Ogilvy by David Ogilvy
Originally collected as a 75th birthday present, family and friends put together a book of Ogilvy's letters, memos and other writing. They cover his timeless thoughts on management, creativity and even how to sell.
Recommended by Tye
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The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
A Pulitzer Prize-winning author details the story of how two bike mechanics with only a high school education were responsible for the first machine-powered flight.
Recommended by Jason
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Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. by Ron Chernow
A look into the man who crushed his competition to make the Standard Oil Co. a dominant force in the energy industry. The book uses Rockefeller's own papers as source material.
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