Stanford Business magazine

Books That Teach by Example …

Book & Author

Comment

Einstein: His Life and Universe, by Walter Isaacson

“Shows tenacity in focusing on scientific achievements [despite] suffering enormous personal and career problems.”
-- David Simpson, SEP ’67

When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi, by David Maraniss

“‘Work’ and ‘play’ were tattooed on his dad’s knuckles and helped shape his world view. How a great leader was made and how he developed leaders for generations to follow.”
-- Rafael Luevano, MBA ’86

Berkshire Hathaway Annual Report

“Warren Buffett considers the truly important aspects of a business organization—management skills and record, sensitivity to employees, stockholders, and managers. He frequently discusses the mistakes he has made. He is a true Renaissance man.”
-- Fred Stern, MBA ’57

Jacked Up: The Inside Story of How Jack Welch Talked GE into Becoming the World’s Greatest Company, by Bill Lane

“Communication, communication, communication. Describes and understands its power.”
-- Robert Munro-Hall, SEP ’07

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin

“Teaches crisis management and resolution. Highlights the ability to deal with personnel and personalities.”
-- Michael Smith, SEP ’86

Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies, by Jim Collins, MBA ’83, and Jerry I. Porras, GSB professor emeritus

“It’s not always the smartest who lead successfully. It takes perseverance, strategic thinking, and people skills.”
-- Becky Morgan, MBA ’78

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t, by Jim Collins, MBA ’83

“Based on data and offers a long-range perspective on business success.”
-- Byron Roberts, MBA ’90

The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty, by Julia Flynn Siler

“Deals with the rapid growth of a family business, which has been transformed to a private company.”
-- Gary Steele, MBA ’75

How to Do It …

Money Players: A Guide to Success in Sports, Business, and Life for Current and Future Pro Athletes, by Marc Isenberg

“Very relevant to the sports business (Australian rules football) I am working in.”
-- Trevor Nisbett, SEP ’04

Raving Fans: A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service, by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles

“A powerful message about the right ways to provide outstanding customer service. Fundamental to business success.”
-- John Mowery, SEP ’91

The Millionaire Next Door, by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

“Debunks the myth. The rich are likely to live modestly, work hard, save well, and know the value of a dollar.”
-- Carol Ramos, MBA ’96

Making Sense of Markets …

The Intelligent Investor: The Classic Text on Value Investing, by Benjamin Graham

“The best, most cogent, and sage book on investing I’ve ever read.”
-- Thomas Livelli, MBA ’06

L’Argent, la finance et le risque, by André Lévy-Lang

“My [book] makes finance simple to understand—quite useful these days.”
-- André Lévy-Lang, PHD ’66

Food for Thought …

The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand

“Inspirational when preparing for any type of negotiation or business deal.”
-- Michael McMahon, MBA ’04

Free to Choose: A Personal Statement, by Milton Friedman and Rose Friedman

“Fact and data, rather than beliefs, support logical conclusions and advice on how to keep the engine alive for our children.”
-- Eric Levenson, MBA ’71

Why Work?, by Michael Maccoby

“It sums up the individual motivations for work that I have found enormously helpful on many occasions throughout the years.”
-- Tony Meggs, Sloan ’90

A Primer on Decision Making: How Decisions Happen, by James G. March, GSB professor emeritus

“Professor March draws on research from all the disciplines of social science to show how decisions are actually made in organizations.”
-- Jason C. Nelson, MBR ’01

Outliers: The Story of Success, by Malcolm Gladwell

“Teaches that success is based on circumstances, talent, hard work, and dedication rather than luck.”
-- Faiza Seth, MBA ’06

Past, Present, Future …

History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon

“The future of market capitalism.”
-- Bob Parker, SEP ’63

The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith

“The philosophies are applicable to most disciplines.”
-- William Reckmeyer, MBA Class of 1950

The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade, by Pietra Rivoli

“Entertaining examination of economics in the global economy.”
-- Denis Mortier, MBA ’67

The Future of Management, by Gary Hamel with Bill Breen

“Highlights the radical, transformational thinking necessary to lead the organizations of tomorrow, whether corporate or nonprofit.”
-- Allen Phipps, MBA ’69

The Post-American World, by Fareed Zakaria

“Always incisive. A realistic, positive view.”
-- Tom Morrish, MBA ’61

There’s Always Someone …

“Newspapers, television, and magazines. The facts change every day.”
-- Ruy Silva, MBA ’74

“I pretty much only read golf books.”
-- Alberto Pandolfi, MBA ’00