Blog

The Endeavor Library

By Endeavor Greece Jul 28, 2020

Suggestions on Summer Reads

by Endeavor Entrepreneurs

With the well deserved summer break approaching, many yearn for something productive, yet effortless to indulge in while relaxing under the Greek sun. A captivating book often serves as good company.

Endeavor Entrepreneurs have carefully selected and prepared for you a list of 12 books, ranked and read, that’ll fit perfectly in your carry-on this summer.

Take this opportunity to learn a thing or two about the business world with these simple reads, that could potentially refine your skills as a leader, team member, and overall person. From autobiographies to startup success stories, the key features in these books will only fuel the ammunition in your pursuit to success in various realms. 

The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company

By: Robert Iger

Robert Iger, shares the ideas and values he never strayed from as CEO of Disney for 15 years. He expresses how his vision boiled down to three ideas; reinforcing the idea that quality matters, embracing technology wholeheartedly, and always thinking big. Read about the lessons learned, the drive behind all decisions, and the principles necessary to succeed as a leader. 

The Infinite Game

By Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek advocates the notion that in the infinite game of business, life, and politics, players come and go, rules are changeable, and there is no defined endpoint. He concludes that there are no winners or losers; there is only ahead and behind. In reading this book you will quickly recognize the game that you’re in, and hopefully lead with an infinite mindset in perpetuating the game, inviting others to join, by striving for morality, inclusivity, and thinking generationally.  

Einstein: His Life and Universe

By Walter Isaacson

Entrepreneurs are much like Einstein; questioning unconventional wisdom, testing limits daily, and using creativity as a backbone in thought processes. This book looks into the genius mind of Albert Einstein, showing how traits such as his are vital to the development in this new century of globalization. 

Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist

By Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson

For some, establishing a collaborative and supportive relationship between entrepreneurs and investors is difficult. Pulling from practical experience, this read will provide you with first hand insights into VC structure and strategy, as well as the clarification of terms and other misunderstood aspects of funding.

Napoleon the Great 

By Andrew Roberts

Much like Napoleon, most entrepreneurs start with nothing. An idea at most. His physical and intellectual energy, and attractive personality is what gave rise to the the leadership title he deserved. Read about the impact he had on the reinvention of warfare, laws in France, and the modernisation of education and administration systems. 

What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence

By Stephen A. Schwarzman

This book emanates the saying “go big or go home” in each chapter. Schwazman claims that if you’re going to put a tremendous amount of effort into something, go big and make it worthwhile. He brings to light the importance of the inflection points in an entrepreneur’s career, and how they are suppressed behind the triumphs and failures one undergoes. Providing the reader with beneficial, real life experiences he shares his story.  

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup 

By John Carreyrou

Get the full story behind the demise of the once successful company Theranos; a one-time multibillion-dollar biotech startup founded by Elizabeth Holmes. A “unicorn” startup founded by a Stanford dropout with the potential to revolutionize the medical industry, resulting in one of the biggest corporate fraud cases.

Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs 

By John Doerr

Drawing from case studies, objectives, and results, John Doerr unfolds the recipe for efficiency in corporations. He expresses that the key to success doesn’t lie in the story and the mission, but in the creation and alignment of the company’s goals, engraved through proper structure and transparency.   

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman

By Yvon Chouinard

Remaining true to its values, culture, and philosophies, Patagonia continues to put purpose before profit, and yet experienced phenomenal growth. Read this book and learn how you can apply Patagonia’s 8 inspirational philosophies to your life and organizations.  

Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything

By Joshua Foer

Drawing from cutting edge research, tricks in transforming our understanding of human remembering, and a cultural history of memory, this book concludes that we can all dramatically improve our memory. A riveting read on the masked impact that memory has on every aspect of our lives. 

The Business Book – Big Ideas Simply Explained 

By Dorling Kindersley

Perfect for students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and business junkies, this book is compiled of business and management theories, strategies, inspirational ideas, and models showing how to effectively lead and think outside the box. Hearing from leaders such as Henry Ford to Steve Jobs and topics varying from start-ups to ethics. 

Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies

By Nick Bostrom

Ever wonder what’s next in artificial intelligence? Read here to learn about AI, find out what could happen in the future, and if we can mould the conditions we have created in AI to get a survivable, safe, and responsible outcome.