i'm looking forward to all the time i'll have back once apps are over. i wanted to find out the must reads prior to entering b-school. nytimes had a great article a while back about ceo libraries and what they reveal about the leader. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/21/busin ... aries.html here's an excerpt Forget finding the business best-seller list in these libraries. “I try to vary my reading diet and ensure that I read more fiction than nonfiction,” Mr. Moritz said. “I rarely read business books, except for Andy Grove’s ‘Swimming Across,’ which has nothing to do with business but describes the emotional foundation of a remarkable man. I re-read from time to time T. E. Lawrence’s ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom,’ an exquisite lyric of derring-do, the navigation of strange places and the imaginative ruses of a peculiar character. It has to be the best book ever written about leading people from atop a camel.” Students of power should take note that C.E.O.’s are starting to collect books on climate change and global warming, not Al Gore’s tomes but books from the 15th century about the weather, Egyptian droughts, even replicas of Sumerian tablets recording extraordinary changes in climate, according to John Windle, the owner of John Windle Antiquarian Booksellers in San Francisco. so, what are those books that professors reference all the time, jock mbas mention to act like they know what's up, or books your bosses are reading? and since i don't want to spend all my time reading only about management or leadership, what other insightful, witty, life-changing books have you read? Books Recommended in This Thread and the Number of Recommendations Finance Books 1. Blue Blood and Mutiny: The Fight for the soul of Morgan Stanley 2. Handbook of Corporate Finance: A Business Companion to Financial Markets, Decisions and Techniques 3. Banker to the Poor - book about the Grameen Bank and microfinance in the third world, and delves into how capitalism and the free market can be harnessed to return value to vulnerable communities x3 4. Liar's poker - a bit dated but its gives you a sweet intro to the S&T world x2 5. Ugly Americans (HFs) 6. When Markets Collide 7. Damn it feels good to be a banker - And Other Baller Things You Only Get to Say If You Work On Wall Street x2 - by Leveraged Sellout (it looks brilliant if it's the same quality as the blog) Economics Books 1. Travels of a T-shirt - is pretty fun, written by a prof at georgetown - she explores the global economy (and the institutions that govern it) by following the creation, life, and death of your average t-shirt. 2. The World is Flat - Do not Buy 3. Passionate Economist 4. The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More 5. The End of Poverty - Harvard Alum and Professor at Columbia's Global Earth Institute, Sachs presents interesting, simple (perhaps even common sense) solutions to tackling the following obsctackes we will face in the upcoming century namely: the environment, poverty (extreme - less than $1-2/day) and population growth (in the poorest countries). 6. Common Wealth - regarding Jeffrey Sachs - as someone who works in international development, I'd like to point out that for all his popularity among the general public, most people working in the field think a lot of his "big ideas" are sheer lunacy. Particularly the idea of a "big push" to massively increase the amount of official development aid to developing-world governments. He's a very smart guy, and End of Poverty (as well as Common Wealth) are both interesting books with a lot of good information - but the policy prescriptions they contain are totally off the mark. 7. The White Man's Burden - t provides an outstanding analysis of not only successes and failures of trying to develop the third world, but at lot of it also applies to life in general (politics, economics, society, etc). 8. The Forgotten Man 9. The Chicago School - For those thinking about going to Chicago and going to economics 10. Vienna and Chicago, Friends or Foes? - For those thinking about going to Chicago and going to economics 11. Rise and fall of great powers by Paul Kennedy . though i read it about 10 years ago(when the book was too good for me). i immensely liked it. It beautifully captures a history of all great powers(economic and military) from sixteenth century to mid twentieth century. wonderful analysis and breadth in my humble opinion. Leadership Books 1. A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future 2. We need Managers, Not MBAs - It's a scathing look at MBAs. If anyone reads this again, please keep an eye out for the part where he reveals the statistics that something like 70% of MBAs quit their jobs within two years of graduating (suggesting that the vast majority pick "wrong"). I cant find the exact stats anymore, so please, if you see it, take note of the page Behavioral Books 1. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking - There's a little pop psychology to it, but it has some interesting insights. 2. Fooled by Randomness 3. Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell : I had thought about many of the theories he exposes way before this came out, but it's still an interesting/easy/quick read. 4. Predictably Irrational - is by a fuqua prof that is a total boy genius. it's behavioral econ. 5. Why We Buy - if you have any interest in running a business that is consumer-facing (CPG, banking, retail, restaurants, the post office) this is a must-read. or if you just wanna know why the bananas are where they are in the grocery store. Behavioral Econ. 6. Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard H. Thaler - written by a lawyer and an economist from the University of Chicago. The book sort of sits at the intersection of public policy and business, and provides examples of how consumers can be 'nudged' towards decisions that are in their economic/physical/emotional/etc... best interest. You get the point after the first few chapters, but it's worth finishing nonetheless. (recommended by CS11) Investment Banking Books 1. More than Money by Mark Albion - No, its not a rant against banking - he says thats the right path for some - but it is a very real depiction of MANY MBA attitudes and it will make you consider your goals. Frankly, in retrospect, this short book is probably the single most important thing I could have read before getting my MBA. It so accurately captures exactly what so many of us have thought or felt at some point - about jobs, about money, about careers - I virtually promise that it will resonate with you at some level. Its also worth noting its a short and easy read. 2. Tearing Down the Walls: How Sandy Weill Fought His Way to the Top of the Financial World. . .and Then Nearly Lost It All - to all future investment bankers 3. Monkey Business - which was a very quick read that provides an interesting look into the IB landscape in recent times. x2 4. Barbarians at the Gate - really is a must read. I thought it was great and included all of the major Wall Street legends, Kravis, Wasserstein, Fortsman, Lipton, etc. x2 5. Risk Takers 6. Pioneering Portfolio Management 7. The accidental investment banker - Jonathan Knee - pretty funny; give you a very good idea over the Ibank world. Not great though. 8. Den of Thieves - well-researched book that brings up a number of scandals involving Michael Milken, Ivan Boesky, Martin Siegel, and others 9. 21. When Genius Failed 10. The Money Culture by Michael Lewis - It is a collection of articles published by Michael Lewis in various magazines in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I thought it made a brilliant read not just because Michael is a very funny guy. His articles were very insightful and, in some cases, prophetic. He has consistently been critical of levels of debt in wall street since the 1980s (if only everyone else took notice). He takes particular joy in poking fun at the LBO players and the value they add to a takeover target. His criticism of the American Express card had me splitting my sides laughing. This book will not be too much fun for those without enough knowledge of wall street history (especially of the 80s and early 90s when Japan and not China was considered threat #1 to US supremacy). A recommended light read for those long flights to b-school. (recommended by BSD Lover) 11. Reminiscences of a Stock Operator - This book is a timeless classic for anyone moving to any form of trading / investment (recommended by BSD Lover) M&A Books 1. M&A Titans M&A Titans: The Pioneers Who Shaped Wall Street's Mergers and Acquisitions Industry - about some of the legendary dealmakers in Wall Street's golden era ( recommended by JB32 ) 2. Deals from Hell: M&A Lessons that Rise Above the Ashes - (especially relevant for future Darden IB's since it was written by a Darden prof.) - case study about 10 of the worst deals of all time. ( recommended by JB32 ) 3. The Big Deal by Bruce Wasserstein - The book is loooooooooonnnngggg (like 1,000+ pages), but provides a history of deal making by industry from the 1950's up through 2001 (published in 2002). It's amazing how much M&A shaped many of the familiar brands we know today. Then, the second half of the book chronicles how a deal gets done and who the main players are. I would recommend this book for anyone that wants to be a dealmaker. ( recommended by JB32 ) Design Thinking Books 1. The Design of Business: Why Design Thinking is the Next Competitive Advantage - Martin shows how leading companies such as Procter & Gamble, Cirque du Soleil, RIM, and others use design thinking to push knowledge through the stages in ways that produce breakthrough innovations and competitive advantage. 2. Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation - Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO, introduces the idea of design thinking and it′s a human−centered approach to problem solving that helps people and organizations become more innovative and more creative. Accounting Books 1. The Portable MBA in Finance and Accounting Marketing Books Why We Shop: The Science of Shopping " by Paco Underhill. I found it very interesting especially for those with an interest in CPG, brand management, marketing, retail and even consulting. Its a quick read and very entertaining. I definitely find myself thinking differently every time I walk into a store now. Management Books 1. How Would You Move Mount Fuji?: Microsoft's Cult of the Puzzle -- How the World's Smartest Companies Select the Most Creative Thinkers - to all future Management Consultants... 2. The Halo Effect:... and the Eight Other Business Delusions That Deceive Managers - Wow! Good book. It pretty much blows apart a lot of the analysis people do to find out what makes a company "successful". International Relations and Policy Books 1. confessions of an economic hit man 2. Rise and Fall of Empires 3. Shock Doctrine - Naomi Klein : Must read. it opened my mind to sooo many things. please go read it, it gets long but towards the end it's amazing. 4. Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism - Sixty percent of the world's population live on 6% of the world's income. The author argues that capitalism, if it accepts a social conscience out of self-preservation, can eventually develop a world where poverty is on the decline. 5. The Post American World - By far one of the most accessible poly-sci books around. Zakaria presents brutally honest opinions on the state of the U.S. in contrast to the rest of the World. He brings forth the challenges that face the U.S. and the world in the 21st century. Good read, not heavy at all. 6. No Logo is a bit dated but a lovely attack on globalization. if i weren't already too old, i'd grow up to be naomi klein. 7. Fortune at the bottom of the pyramid. by Dr CK Prahalad . a must read for all those interested in social entrepreneurship and non-profit careers. Career and Networking Books 1. Ahead of the Curve x2 - best book I've read on business school - more specifically HBS - looking at a top bschool from the pov of a non-business candidate gave me an amazing idea of the whole thing. 2. Never Eat Alone - Its a great book about the power of networking and how to build a strong network Green Books 1. Hot, Flat, and Crowded - which is about why we need a green revolution. While i'm just 1/3 of the way through, it's excellent so far... He's got some hard facts scientifically, politically, and economically about why we need to care about our planet and makes it easier for me to explain to another layperson why we need a green revolution. 2. Green to Gold by Daniel Esty x2 IT and Operations 1. Black Swan - not recommended (I read part of the book when it came out but just got sick of it and never finished. If true "black swan" events by definition cannot be predicted or foreseen in any way, what's the point of it?) 2. The Goal - is something you'll probably read in your ops class. the best textbook ever, the worst novel ever. i'm a closet ops geek, so i dug it. Poker and Gambling Books 1. Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments - Dan Harrington 2. Read 'em and reap 'em 3. Bringing down the house Fiction and Other 1. The prince - Niccolo Machiavelli : I don't know why but I recently picked it up and it's full of pretty interesting stuff. It is not about business but it gives you an idea of how Power was seen in the 1500. 2. Guns, Germs, and Steel - overview of Human Civilization, focusing on the question why Eurasians took over other continents rather than inhabitants of other continents - a bit repetitive but a good read - a lot of interesting information 3. Nathan McCall's Them - t's an interesting read, and a great book to invoke discussion amongst peers who view the world differently. 4. 9. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier - (not for the faint-hearted; story of a young boy in Africa). A diary/journal of sorts of a young boy who escaped the "recruitment" of rebels in Sierra Leone. Witness of death and consumed by drugs at a young age, he manages to escape through a very graphic yet inspiring story. Now in the U.S. 5. The snowball - Biography about Warren Buffet - I got this one as a present and thought it would be amazing, however I still haven't really started loving it (ive read around 25% of it- its looong) but I guess if you like biographies then you'll like it. x2 6. The Last Tycoons - “Cohan's thoroughness—he interviewed over 100 current and former bankers and assorted bigwigs—unearths a trove of colourful titbits, many quite racy . . . Illuminating are Mr. Cohan’s descriptions of the scheming, politicking, and general dysfunction that was Lazard.” —Economist 7. Atlas Shrugged - the last and best of Ayn Rand's books - beware 1,000 pages and not really a travel size. Other Book Links: Books that help improve English and are Fun to read

Last visit was: 28 Sep 2026, 05:10

It is currently 28 Sep 2026, 05:10

Toolkit

Business School and MBA

Business School Life

GMAT Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Go to My Error Log Learn more

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel

Oct 01
MBA Interview Prep WorkshopSeries
07:00 AM BST
-
08:00 AM GMT
Welcome to the GMAT Club's Free Interview Prep Event for Top MBA Programs! Buy tickets - Virtual series that’s all set to equip you to -excel in your MBA interviews.
Oct 01
Last Call: INSEAD R2 for Sep’2027 Intake
09:00 PM IST
-
10:00 PM IST
R1 is closed, R3&4 get harder. R2 is still a real strong shot at INSEAD's Sep’2027 intake. Join our Free webinar to build a competitive R2 application worth submitting, led by an INSEAD alum and a Harvard Masters admit.
Oct 04
The world has changed and so have we!
02:00 PM EDT
-
03:00 PM EDT
Starting at $975 and offering up to $545 of savings, our new Amplify Hourly Packages offer structure and support in certain high-value areas (story development, resume, essays, interviewing) to help get your applications across the finish line.
Oct 04
Free profile evaluation and guarantee statement
07:00 PM PDT
-
08:00 PM PDT
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!

Back to Forum

Create Topic

MBA Books - Good books to read prior to MBA [Merged]

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

iVoRy

Joined: 21 Apr 2011

Last visit: 29 Oct 2021

Posts: 140

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 36

Concentration: Strategy

Schools: Darden '19 (M)

GMAT 1: 700 Q48 V38 Verified score

GPA: 3.09

Products:

Schools: Darden '19 (M)

GMAT 1: 700 Q48 V38 Verified score

Posts: 140

Kudos: 31

[1]

05 Feb 2017, 06:41

Kudos

Bookmarks

abhimahna

iVoRy

VeritasPrepEdison

Great post and thread, a helpful list of interesting books.

My addition to the lists would be:

1) Fooled by Randomness and Anti-fragile by Naseem Taleb
Both are funny, engaging, and make you more critical of the "experts" and conventional wisdom we are presented with. It also pokes fun at experts, including academics, MBA's, and economists. Great complement to MBA readings and corporate world experiences.

2) Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Enlightens on our thought processes, biases, and defaults embedded in our systems. Great read to help us think about how people and businesses really make decisions

3) Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and The Secret History of Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang
Argues (with interesting case studies/historical events) how the usual economic recommendations of capitalism and economic theory do not always work.

Many people is recommending Ha-Joon Chang's "Bad Samaritans, any thoughts on "Introduction Economics: A User's Guide"?
Is it a good book to get to know basic Economics, or is there other introductory book that you would recommend?

These are the two books that I heard are best if you want to start learning economics:

1. The Cartoon Introduction to Economics: Volume One: Microeconomics
2. The Cartoon Introduction to Economics: Volume Two: Macroeconomics

Thank you, I will look in to those.

Lebanonadmit

Joined: 05 Jul 2017

Last visit: 29 Jul 2018

Posts: 10

Given Kudos: 1

Schools: INSEAD Jan'18 (A)

Posts: 10

Kudos: 0

21 Jul 2017, 01:12

Kudos

Bookmarks

My top 3 books that I would suggest reading for the MBA are:

1- To Stand Out: A More Beautiful Question
This really looks at examining the role of questioning & inquiry across different sectors. It shows you how you can potentially stand out by asking the right questions- but it in the classroom or in an interview.

2-A Guidebook for MBA Partners: The Unofficial Guide to B-School Partner Life: Balancing between the B-School Bubble and Reality
Even though this is aimed at MBA Partners, it is also relevant for MBAs who have partners too. It looks at how to have a successful time at B-School with a partner and all of its intricacies.

3- To Learn New Ways of Thinking: Blue Ocean Strategy
This is one of the best reads! It opens your eyes to a whole new world, and I met the author once, he is super inspiring!

Although these aren’t as academic as others, I think the insights they share are needed just as much!
Cheers!

patto

Joined: 22 Jun 2017

Last visit: 09 Jul 2021

Posts: 235

Own Kudos:

892

Given Kudos: 149

Location: Argentina

Schools: HBS '25 Wharton '25 Stanford '25

GMAT 1: 630 Q43 V34 Verified score

GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V36 (Online) Verified score

Products:

Schools: HBS '25 Wharton '25 Stanford '25

GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V36 (Online) Verified score

Posts: 235

Kudos: 892

18 Feb 2018, 11:36

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi, I am preparing for the gmat but I am having problems with the verbal section. I just want to read something to improve this section. But I don't like to read books such as novels, i just want business books, finance books very well written if possible just to improve my verbal score. Any recommendation??

barmechaneetu

Joined: 29 Aug 2013

Last visit: 07 Sep 2026

Posts: 1

Location: India

Schools: HEC Sept 2018 Intake (A) IIMA PGPX"20 (A)

Posts: 1

Kudos: 0

07 Sep 2026, 02:03

Kudos

Bookmarks

Although I would recommend using your pre-MBA time to relax and enjoy yourself, because MBA is going to pretty intense, I see the advantage to prep beforehand so that you can participate in other group activities and build some life-long relationships.

Here’s what I would recommend:

1. Business newspapers — read them as much as you can. Business line, business standard. These are real-world and help you to build outlook on various aspects of the business.
2. Thinking, Fast and Slow - As a business leader, you have to make decisions. You need to be aware of your own biases.
3. Barbarians at the Gate — for ethics, governance and corporate decision-making, and Investment banking. Greed, power everything in one book.
4. Elephants and Cheetahs by Saral Mukherjee — for operations. - This is written by my Prof. I have taken this elective. It was one of the most sought out elective in IIMA.

5. Justice by Michael Sandel - Not the book, Brilliant, brilliant course on ethics, morality etc.

Then I would suggest reading some books which are directly relevant to you. For example - The everything store, Sam Walton, Shoe Dog - if you are looking to build a career in e-commerce or consumer market post-MBA.

Neetu (MBA, IIMA; HEC Paris Admit)
---------------------------------
Author of Thinking in Categories (E-commerce, Category, P&L Management)