What I Read in 2024, Part 2: Business and History
I’ll be sharing every single book I read in 2024 over the next few days. To make things more fun and because I believe in reading widely, I’ve created unique genre pairings for each part. Today’s pairing is business and history.
In 2024, I made a goal to read or listen to at least 20 pages per day of a book. As a result, I ended up reading 61 books, had the best reading year of my entire life, and enjoyed every single page turn along the way. My favorite part of reading, though, is sharing those books with others and helping someone find their next favorite read.
In that spirit, I’ll be sharing every single book I read in 2024 over the next few days. You can read part 1 here. To make things more fun and because I believe in reading widely, I’ve created unique genre pairings for each part. Think of it like a wine and food pairing, but for the mind. Today’s pairing is business and history.
Business
Poor Charlie's Almanack
Author: Charles T. Munger
Why Read It: A collection of wisdom from one of investing's greatest minds that goes far beyond just business advice. Munger's mental models and approach to clear thinking are invaluable for anyone seeking to improve their decision-making.
Review: I reference something I learned in this book at least once a day. It should be mandatory reading for anyone in the business world. You will never waste time reading and learning from Charlie Munger.
Only the Paranoid Survive
Author: Andy Grove
Why Read It: Intel's legendary CEO shares his strategies for navigating strategic inflection points in business. A manual for surviving and thriving during times of massive change.
Review: This book is rock solid. Grove is exceptional at boiling down his career into actionable lessons.
ReWork
Author: Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
Why Read It: A radical rethinking of how to build and run a successful business in the modern world. Challenges conventional wisdom and offers practical alternatives that emphasize simplicity and humanity.
Review: Reading ReWork was like a breath of fresh air. I breezed through it quickly and highlighted a ton along the way. If you're looking for a different POV on business, this is the best place to start.
Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist
Author: Roger Lowenstein
Why Read It: The definitive biography of Warren Buffett that reveals the man behind the investing legend. Shows how patience, discipline, and clear thinking built the greatest investing track record in history.
Review: Next to Munger, Buffett is another person I reference almost every day. This biography is an excellent telling of his life story and all the lessons along the way. It's the rare biography that's a ton of fun to read.
$100M Offers
Author: Alex Hormozi
Why Read It: A practical guide to creating irresistible business offers that transform how you think about value creation. Combines psychology and business strategy to help you stand out in any market.
Review: This book is very practical and actionable. It focuses on the fundementals which is something we could all use a refresher on.
Super Pumped
Author: Mike Isaac
Why Read It: The dramatic rise and fall of Uber and its controversial CEO Travis Kalanick. A cautionary tale about the costs of 'move fast and break things' culture.
Review: The Uber scandals were something I just missed in my business education which is why I picked up this book. Overall, it's a good read and packed with loads of great reporting. A very nuanced take on the company.
Extreme Ownership
Author: Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
Why Read It: Navy SEALs apply their battlefield leadership lessons to business and life. A powerful framework for taking responsibility and leading effectively in any situation.
Review: Reading leadership books is pointless unless you can remember them. This one stands out because it's easy to remember. The authors keep it real and to the point.
Invent and Wander
Author: Jeff Bezos and Walter Isaacson
Why Read It: A collection of Bezos's writings that reveal the principles behind Amazon's success. Provides insight into long-term thinking and customer obsession.
Review: In terms of knowledge per page, this book is ahead of the rest. It's short, but each shareholder letter is overflowing with ideas and insights. I loved it!
History
The Lessons of History
Author: Will & Ariel Durant
Why Read It: A concise distillation of patterns and lessons from 5,000 years of human history. The Durants make complex historical trends accessible and relevant to modern readers.
Review: If you want to understand human behavior on a macro level, you will not find a better book than this. Insightful would be an understatement.
The Lives of the Stoics
Author: Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman
Why Read It: Biographical sketches of ancient Stoic philosophers that make their wisdom relevant for modern life. Shows how Stoic principles were lived, not just taught.
Review: Stoic history is rich with practical lessons and ideas for a better life. This book brings those lessons to life and is an excellent history on the philosophy as a whole.
Meditations
Author: Marcus Aurelius
Why Read It: The personal journal of a Roman Emperor struggling to live a good life amid enormous responsibilities. Timeless wisdom about dealing with difficulty, maintaining perspective, and living with integrity.
Review: It's not everyday you get a peek into the brain of someone who once the most powerful man in the world. The wisdom is timeless and still infinitely applicable to modern life.
Audiobook Recommendations
Several books from this list would be particularly engaging in audio format. Here are a few of my favorites.
Extreme Ownership - Narrated by the authors themselves, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin bring their stories to life with powerful, authentic delivery. Their experience as speakers and direct style make this an exceptional listening experience
Super Pumped - The narrative style and investigative journalism make for an engaging listening experience, and the narrator does an excellent job making the complex story easy to follow
Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist - The biographical format and compelling storytelling make this well-suited for audio listening, and the narrator's soothing and engaging voice makes it a particularly enjoyable experience
The Lives of the Stoics - The biographical format and storytelling approach make this perfect for audio, with each philosopher's story serving as a distinct episode. Ryan Holiday narrates it himself, bringing his great voice and storytelling abilities to make the ancient philosophers' lives engaging.