Imagine that for one full year you could not read any business books you hadn’t read before… and that you were only allowed to read business books you had previously finished reading.
Which books would you re-read?
On my list, I think I’d have to include:
- One Simple Idea by Stephen Key (I’m currently re-reading this book)
- Great Leads by Michael Masterson and John Forde (I’m currently re-reading this book, too)
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss (I’ve read it twice)
- The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch
- No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs by Dan Kennedy (I’ve read it twice)
- Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith
- Purple Cow and All Marketers Are Liars by Seth Godin
- The 25 Best Time Management Tools & Techniques by Pamela Dodd and Doug Sundheim
Which business books would be on your list to re-read? Leave a comment and let me know.
Better yet, publish your list on your blog. Link to this post and send me an email at rhealy@gmail.com so I can link back to you.
UPDATE:
Here’s Antone Roundy’s list of business books he’d re-read.
And here’s Elle’s list of business books she’d re-read.
-Ryan M. Healy
About Ryan M. Healy
Ryan Healy is a direct response copywriter. Since 2002, he has worked with scores of clients, including BoostCTR, Alex Mandossian, Terry Dean, and Pulte Homes. He writes a popular blog about copywriting, advertising, and business growth, has been featured in publications like Feed Front magazine, and is a regular contributor to WordStream.com, BoostCTR.com, and MarketingForSuccess.com.
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{ 28 comments }
Hmmm…
– The Wisdom of Ginsu by Barry Becher & Ed Valenti
– I own several books by Dan Kennedy and re-read each a few times
– Jay Abraham read Scientific Advertising 50 times, so I’m gunning for 51
– Million Dollar Mailings by Denny Hatch
– $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
– The Secret of Selling Anything by Harry Browne
– How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success In Selling by Frank Bettger
Aw crap! Looking at my bookshelf just made me realize that moving to Toronto is going to be a painful affair.
Good list, John.
Just got The $100 Startup… and The Wisdom of Ginsu should arrive today or tomorrow. :-)
Ryan,
I’ve got two:
“How to write sales letters that sell” – Drayton Bird
I use it regularly as a reference. It’s full of post it notes an my scribblings.
And “Scientific Advertising” by Mr Hopkins. It keeps me on track when I get swept away by marketing fads.
There are others, like Ogilvy and Caples, but the two above are the ones I couldn’t do without.
I’ve read Scientific Advertising two or three times. (Can’t remember now.) I’ve also got Drayton’s Commonsense Direct & Digital Marketing, but that’s a new acquisition. Still need to read it.
Linchpin by Seth Godin
I’ve got Linchpin, haven’t read it yet. I’ll bump it up the priority list.
Tribes and Poke the Box were great books too.
The Bible (Jewish Torah and Christian Old and New Testament, concentrating on business issues)
Our US Constitution
“Think and Grow Rich”
“Free to Choose”
“The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success” by Brian Tracy
“Sales Bible” by Jeffrey Gitomer
“I, Pencil” by Reed
“Scientific Advertising” by Claude Hopkins
Thank you Kevin! I was getting nervous that nobody was going to mention ‘Think and Grow Rich’. Such a fantastic read that extends even beyond business.
I haven’t seen ‘The E-Myth’ by Michael Gerber on this list. That book literally changed my entire view of business and if you haven’t read it (you, Mr. Comment Reader) go get a copy right now!
Also, ‘Outrageous Advertising’ by Bill Glazer is packed full of great direct response examples :)
Does anyone know if the Gary Halbert letters ever made it into a book?
E-Myth is a great book, but I didn’t find it quite as engaging as some of my favorite books. Had more to do with the style and flow of the book, less with the content.
Million Dollar Consulting, Alan Weiss
Million Dollar Referrals, Alan Weiss
What Got You Here Won’t Get You, Marshall Goldsmith
Any book by Dan Kennedy
Hey Alan,
I think I’ve seen those two books by Alan Weiss before. Was tempted, but haven’t bought them yet. I’ll give them another look.
Ryan
Getting everything you can out of all you’ve got – Jay Abraham
I re-read 4-hour work week twice, but the above book is my favorite.
-Gerrid
I still need to finish Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got… I stalled halfway through and for some reason have never finished it.
When Heaven invades Earth by Bill Johnson… Love it
Never heard of it. What’s the main thrust of the book?
- Obivous Adams by Robert R. Updegraf
- The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
- Being Direct: Making Advertising Pay by Lester Wunderman
- Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy
- The Secret of Selling Anything by Harry Browne
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Winning by Intimidation by Robert Ringer
- Linchpin by Seth Godin
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Great list, Ryan! Thanks again for recommending Great Leads. Love that book. :-)
A few more …first, a disclaimer: I’m still not sure how I feel about James Altucher, but I did like two of his books. Again, not the top of my list, but up there!
I Was Blind But Now I See and How to Be The Luckiest Person Alive by James Altucher
Here’s one that most may not have heard of:
- The Game of Work by Charles Coonradt (great for sales managers)
Other favorites-
- Built to Last by James C Collins (sound business blocks)
- Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson (life principles)
- Glorious Accidents by Michael J Glauser (great stories)
- SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham (a great read for owners and sales)
Thanks for your contribution, Kurt!
Without question: The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey by Kenneth Blanchard and William Oncken.
This is a classic that I read early in my career. To this day it still defines my management style.
Thanks for the suggestion, Gaye!
Wow. A lot of great books listed and here in the comments. I’ll add the ones I regularly reread already.
Influence by Robert Cialdini
Hypnotic Patterns of Milton H Erickson Vol 1 by Bandler & Grinder
Thick Face, Black Hearth by Chin-Ning Chu
Don’t Shoot The Dog by Karen Pryor
Ultimate Sales Letter & Ultimate Marketing Plan by Dan Kennedy
Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason (This goes alongside John’s recomendation of How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success In Selling)
Thick Face, Black Hearth by Chin-Ning Chu… I enjoyed this book and will read it again
cheers
Warren
Oooohhh…
reading this list makes me feel guilty. LOL! There are at least twelve books that have been mentioned that are on my ‘to read’ list.
Right now, I’m reading 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, and it’s enveloping … to say the least.
Haven’t read Greene yet, although I read his book covers about 10 years ago. I should reconsider 48 Laws of Power.
A book I forgot to include in my original list:
Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson.
I’ve read the book twice and mentioned it here:
http://www.ryanhealy.com/even-heroes-need-extra-eyeballs/
And here:
http://www.ryanhealy.com/how-clients-minimize-the-value-of-your-work/
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