42 Books That Influenced the Top Entrepreneurs and Bloggers

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There are books that you read to get information, books that you read for fun and books that change the way you think and look at life.

Everyone has a special book that has influenced them one way or the other.

As I was looking for the next book to read I had a great idea – why not ask the people who I look up to?

So I asked friends and top bloggers, that I admire, for their top 3 books that have influenced them the most.

I got amazing recommendations that I want to share with you all. This is the ultimate must-read book list for any entrepreneur who wants to succeed in this business.

Here’s what they replied (in alphabetical order):

Corbett Barr

Corbett blogs at Think Traffic and has a very successful blogging course How to Start a Blog That Matters.

• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – by Robert Cialdini 

This book shows you the psychology behind why people say “yes,” and how to use this information to persuade people (and prevent yourself from being persuaded).

• Getting Real – by 37 Signals

This book will open your eyes to unconventional ways of building software and small businesses.

• The Lean Startup – by Eric Ries

This book defines a simple strategy for eliminating the biggest risk of entrepreneurship (building something no one wants).

John Chow

John blogs at John Chow dot com and recently released his very in depth blogging course Blogging with John Chow.

• The 4-Hour Workweek – by Tim Ferriss

Tim Ferriss teaches us to forget the old concepts of retirement and a deferred life plan, and join the New Rich. For living more and working less, this book is the blueprint.
There is no need to wait and every reason not to, especially in unpredictable economic times.

• The Millionaire Fastlane – by MJ DeMarco

This is the book I’m currently reading. The author, MJ DeMarco, sent me a dozen signed copies. So far, I’m really enjoying it. The book describs three different economic paths most people follow. The first path is the sidewalk where people are basically living from paycheck to paycheck. The second is the slow lane – work hard for forty to fifty years, dutifully save 10% or more in your 401K and retire with a modest sum. Then there is the fast lane. Which one are you on?

• The Holy Bible

There are no words higher than the word of God.

Gregory Ciotti

Gregory blogs at Sparring Mind where you can learn how to use psychology to grow your business.

• Letters from A Stoic – by Lucius Seneca

This might seem like a weird book to include on a list for entrepreneurs, but for me, this has served as one of the most life-changing books I’ve read in my life.

This book has more been about my state of mind as an individual, and since it has, in many ways, helped me improve myself as a person, it’s also indirectly help me improve myself as an entrepreneur.

As an example, here’s a quote from the edition I own:

Withdraw into yourself, as far as you can. Associate with those who will make a better man of you. Welcome those whom you yourself can improve. The process is mutual; for men learn while they teach.

These sorts of insights are literally found all throughout the book, and I dare someone to read it and not come out a slightly changed (and improved) individual.

• The Social Animal – by Elliot Aronson

This is definitely one of my favorite social psychology books of all time, it’s the one that really got me into reading about human behavior.

It’s somewhat of a hard book to acquire, and I think that speaks to it’s quality: it’s the gran-daddy of social psych books!

I’d also recommend the rest of Aronson’s work, the 2nd favorite being Mistakes Were Made, but Not by Me.

• The Personal MBA – by Josh Kaufman

In terms of getting the best “foundation” of an education in business, I can’t recommend any book more than this one.

If you don’t know about terms like “shadow testing”, be sure to pick this up and save yourself a massive amount of headaches.

You’ll be head and shoulders above most wannabe entrepreneurs just by reading this book.

Justin Cooke

Justin (with Joe Magnotti) blogs at Adsense Flippers and they have developed a theme specially for niche websites called IntelliTheme

• Built To Sell – by John Warrillow

There are many different ways you can build your “business”, but this is a book you’ll want to read if you’re looking to maximize your value/impact and set your business up efficiently.

If you’re in the service industry and are looking for ways to productize your services, this would be a great read for you.

• Free: The Future Of A Radical Price – by Chris Anderson

Whether you’re part of the younger, Napster/Torrent generation or you share the older, skeptical “You get what you pay for” beliefs, this book will break down the benefits and risks associated with “free“.

It’s more than a gimmick and this book explains how to both use and take advantage of free products and services. Highly recommended.

• Mixergy – by Andrew Warner

Ok, I’m cheating a little here as this isn’t a book. Andrew Warner of Mixergy interviews entrepreneurs that have recently had a major breakthrough, realizations, etc. and walks them step-by-step through their story. He’s an amazing interviewer and storyteller.

Honestly, if you listen to a few episodes of Mixergy and don’t walk away with a ton of ideas, I have second doubts about whether or not you really want to be an entrepreneur.

Chris Ducker

Chris blogs at ChrisDucker.com and if you are looking for a virtual assistant make sure to check out his Virtual Staff Finder service.

• Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion – by Gary Vaynerchuk

I learned more about the art of personal branding in the digital age from this book than I have in my entire career. Gary’s attitude towards this stuff is a massive game-changer. It’s simple to read, easy to follow and I’ve devoured it twice, just for good measure!

• The 4-Hour Workweek – by Tim Ferriss

Most entrepreneurs I know have read this book and enjoyed it. For me, honestly speaking, I didn’t really ‘learn’ anything from it – but, what it did do is open my eyes to the fact that we can control the way we work, the hours we work and what that, in effect, means for our lifestyles, family, etc.

• The New Relationship Marketing – by Mari Smith

This is a newer book. I bought it a year ago and only just got around to reading it. I wish I’d done so sooner. Mari’s approach to utilizing social media to build communities, fans, customer lists, etc., is a breath of fresh air. As an ‘older school’ business type of business owner, I picked up a lot from this read.

Trent Dyrsmid

Trent blogs and interviews successful entrepreneurs at Bright Ideas.

• Good to Great – by Jim Collins

• Launch – by Mike Stelzner

• The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes

Tom Ewer

Tom blogs at Leaving Work Behind and if you are interested in freelance writing make sure to check out his Successful Freelance Writing Online course.

• How to Win Friends and Influence People – by Dale Carnegie

This may not be seen as a business book by many, but it was in fact written to help those in business better communicate and network. I think it’s as relevant today as it ever was and consider it recommended reading for just about anyone.

• The Millionaire Fastlane – by MJ DeMarco

I’m always hesitant to mention this book because of (a) its title and (b) the author’s propensity for hyperbole, but even with its weaknesses noted, it is a superb read for anyone who is interested in following a different track to the typical nine to five. It is a real eye opener for all of those people who have been indoctrinated into the “go to school, get a degree, get a job, retire at 65″ way of thinking.

• The $100 Startup – by Chris Guillebeau

This book was only published in 2012 but has become a firm favorite of mine. Chris Guilleabeau is a great writer and an excellent teacher, and in this book he demonstrates that you need neither a great deal of resources or a genius mind to create a successful small business. Required reading for anyone interested in making money online.

Rand Fishkin

Rand is the CEO and co-founder of SEOmoz and he also blogs at Rand’s blog.

• The Billionaire Who Wasn’t – by Conor O’Clery

A remarkable biography of one of my personal heroes: Chuck Feeney. This is probably the book that’s inspired me most in my professional career.

• Good to Great – by Jim Collins

From analyzing 1,435 companies over 40 years, Jim Collins’ team found 11 standouts. This book looks at the difference between the great ones and the rest.

• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – by Robert Cialdini

Robert Cialdini’s seminal work on how and why mankind thinks and acts. Essential reading.

Eric Gati

Eric blogs at My 4 Hour Workweek about passive income.

• The 4-Hour Workweek – by Tim Ferriss

I suspect this one will be on many people’s lists. The idea of creating a passive income “muse” as Tim Ferriss describes is was/is so alluring. This book was the single motivation behind my blog and all of the passive income projects that followed.

• The $100 Startup – by Chris Guillebeau

I’m actually not done with this book yet, but I love all the inspiring stories it tells about entrepreneurs who have started businesses from absolutely nothing.

• Art of the Start – by Guy Kawasaki

Yes, it’s another startup/entrepreneurship book, but I read this one before I ever took the first step in attempting to create a business (before the first two books above). It’s a great “nuts and bolts” read that gets you thinking about everything that goes into starting a business, from someone who has had a lot of success doing it.

Danny Iny

Danny blogs at Firepole Marketing and if you want to learn the art of guest posting and growing your audience check out Write Like Freddy training program.

• The Monk and the Riddle – by Randy Komisar

• Getting to Plan B – by Randy Komisar and John Mullins

• Business Model Generation – by Alexander Osterwalder

Joe Magnotti

Joe (with Justin Cooke) blogs at Adsense Flippers and they have developed a theme specially for niche websites called IntelliTheme

• The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives – by Leonard Mlodinow

Great look into randomness — it affects you more than you think!

• Free: The Future of a Radical Price – by Chris Anderson

This book helped shape our business model at AdSenseFlippers.com

• Outliers: The Story of Success – by Malcolm Gladwell

It will change the way you look at why people got to where they are. Introduced me to the 10,000 hour rule of becoming an expert.

Dane Maxwell

Dane is the founder or “Head honcho” at The Foundation where he teaches entrepreneurs to build lucrative software companies. Really awesome community.

• Rich Dad Poor Dad – by Robert T. Kiyosaki

It was my first book. It was basic enough that it taught me in an easy story format how to be a rich ass mofo. Re-reading it today I see how basic it is, but I felt at the time it spoke to me perfectly where I’m at.

• The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes

This book talks about how Chet Holmes doubled 9 of Charlie Mungers companies in 2 years each. Chet uses the same system to double all of Charlie’s companies. The system is insane.

• Power Vs Force – by David Hawkins

This book taught me about true power. Not like how much can I bench press power, but how much can my heart expand power. This book is one of the most life changing books I’ve ever read. I turned the book into 2, 4ft by 8th paintings in my room. These are huge paintings!

Bamidele Onibalusi

Bamidele blogs at YoungPrePro. He’s the guy to turn to when you need advice about freelance writing.

• The 48 Laws of Power – by Robert Greene

I only read a book once. This is the only book I’ve read twice that I can remember and I’ll be reading it again soon. The principles in this book are timeless and powerful and can help you succeed in life. What you do with what you learn is up to you. While the theme of the book is “power”, the principles outlined in it applies to all areas of life.

It’s my favorite book by far.

• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – by Robert Cialdini

This is another powerful book every marketer should read; it helps me know how I respond to certain things in certain way and also how I can get people to respond to my messages the way I want.

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – by Steven Covey

My 2nd most favorite book, I love this book because it focuses on genuine principles that contribute to other people’s lives and ensures every party involved enjoy a win-win. No gimmicks.

Neil Patel

Neil blogs at Quick Sprout and he is also the co-founder of Crazy Egg and KISSmetrics.

• Art of the Start – by Guy Kawasaki

• The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) – by Seth Godin

• Lean Startup – by Eric Ries

Joel Runyon

Joel blogs at the Blog of Impossible Things where he does everything impossible.

• A Million Miles in A Thousand Years – by Donald Miller

• How To Win at the Sport of Business – by Mark Cuban

• The 4-Hour Workweek – by Tim Ferriss (everyone says this)

Maneesh Sethi

Maneesh blogs at Hack the System about all his crazy antics.

• The 4-Hour Workweek – by Tim Ferriss

Opened my mind to not working a 9-5.