Top 15 Business Biographies Every Entrepreneur Should Read

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, learning from the experiences of successful business leaders can provide invaluable insights. Business biographies offer a deep dive into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of some of the world’s most influential figures.

Whether you’re looking to understand leadership, innovation, or perseverance, these stories can inspire and guide you on your entrepreneurial journey.

Here are 15 must-read business biographies that will ignite your passion and sharpen your business acumen.

15 Business Biographies That Will Fuel Your Entrepreneurial Journey

1. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

In Shoe Dog, Nike co-founder Phil Knight tells the story of how he built one of the most iconic athletic brands from scratch. Knight shares his journey from selling shoes out of the trunk of his car to turning Nike into a multi-billion-dollar company.

The book highlights the challenges, risks, and sacrifices he made along the way. What makes Shoe Dog stand out is Knight’s honesty about the struggles he faced in business, from financial setbacks to personal doubts.

It’s an inspiring read for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and the reality behind building a global brand.

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2. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs is a detailed look into the life of Apple’s co-founder, known for revolutionizing personal computing, animation, and mobile technology.

Based on over 40 interviews with Jobs and hundreds of conversations with family members, colleagues, and competitors, this book offers an in-depth exploration of his distinctive style of leadership and innovative thinking.

Jobs was a visionary, but he was also a complex, sometimes difficult personality. Isaacson paints a balanced picture of his genius and flaws, offering insights into how Jobs built Apple into one of the world’s most valuable companies.

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3. Made in Japan by Akio Morita

Made in Japan is the autobiography of Akio Morita, the co-founder of Sony. In this candid memoir, Morita recounts the founding of Sony, its early innovations, and the company’s role in transforming Japan into a global industrial power.

Morita also reflects on the cultural differences between Japan and the West, and how these differences influenced Sony’s business strategies.

His book offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a visionary who believed in the power of creativity and technology to change the world.

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4. The Everything Store by Brad Stone

Brad Stone’s The Everything Store is the definitive biography of Jeff Bezos and the rise of Amazon. Stone traces the company’s humble beginnings as an online bookstore to its transformation into the world’s largest e-commerce platform.

The book explores Bezos’s approach to leadership, his unwavering drive for expansion, and the obstacles Amazon encountered as it ventured into new markets. Stone also explores Bezos’s personal life, including his complex relationships with employees and competitors.

The Everything Store reveals the fascinating story of how Jeff Bezos turned Amazon into an international leader in e-commerce.

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Related: Top 20 Marketing Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read

5. Sam Walton: Made in America by Sam Walton and John Huey

In Made in America, Walmart founder Sam Walton shares the story of his rise from a small-town retailer to the head of the world’s largest retail empire. Walton’s memoir is filled with insights into his business philosophy, including his relentless focus on keeping costs low and passing savings on to customers.

The book also highlights Walton’s commitment to community and his belief in the importance of treating employees as partners.

Made in America is a down-to-earth account of how Walton built Walmart into a retail giant while staying true to his core values.

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6. Alibaba by Duncan Clark

Duncan Clark’s Alibaba provides an in-depth look at Jack Ma, the founder of the e-commerce giant Alibaba. From a humble beginning as an English teacher in China, Ma went on to create one of the largest tech companies in the world.

Clark, who knew Ma personally, traces the rise of Alibaba from its early days in Ma’s apartment to its historic IPO in 2014.

The book also explores China’s rapidly evolving digital economy, offering insights into how Ma navigated political and business challenges to build a global powerhouse.

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7. Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance

Ashlee Vance’s biography of Elon Musk captures the essence of one of the most innovative and controversial figures in modern business. Musk’s ventures, from Tesla and SpaceX to SolarCity and The Boring Company, have disrupted industries and pushed the boundaries of what’s possible.

Vance explores Musk’s drive to create a sustainable future through renewable energy and space exploration, while also shedding light on his often tumultuous personal life.

Elon Musk is an engaging read that highlights the mind of a visionary entrepreneur who is unafraid to tackle the world’s biggest challenges.

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Related: 12 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read for Success and Growth

8. The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder

The Snowball by Alice Schroeder offers a comprehensive look at the life of Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time.

The book traces Buffett’s journey from a young boy with a passion for numbers to the head of Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate that owns some of the world’s most recognizable companies. Schroeder had unprecedented access to Buffett, and her biography provides insights into his investing philosophy, his personal life, and the values that have guided him throughout his career.

The Snowball is a must-read for anyone interested in investing or business leadership.

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9. My Life and Work: An Autobiography of Henry Ford by Henry Ford

Henry Ford’s autobiography, My Life and Work, offers a firsthand account of how he revolutionized the automobile industry and transformed manufacturing with the introduction of the assembly line.

Ford’s belief in making cars affordable for the average person changed the course of history. In this book, he shares his thoughts on business, innovation, and the role of industry in society.

My Life and Work is a timeless classic that provides insights into the mind of one of the most influential industrialists of the 20th century.

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10. Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life Without Losing Its Soul by Howard Schultz and Joanne Gordon

Onward tells the story of Howard Schultz’s return to Starbucks as CEO during a time of crisis. Faced with declining sales and a global recession, Schultz set out to turn the company around while staying true to its core values.

The book chronicles his efforts to revitalize the brand, innovate in new areas, and maintain Starbucks’ commitment to social responsibility.

Onward is not just a business story; it’s a tale of resilience, leadership, and the importance of staying true to one’s mission in the face of adversity.

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11. Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. by Ron Chernow

Ron Chernow’s Titan is a monumental biography of John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil and one of the wealthiest men in history. Chernow traces Rockefeller’s rise from humble beginnings to his domination of the oil industry and his later years as a philanthropist.

The book explores Rockefeller’s complex personality – his ruthless business tactics, his deep religious faith, and his commitment to giving away much of his fortune.

Titan is an in-depth look at one of the most powerful and controversial figures in American business history.

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12. Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh

In Delivering Happiness, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh shares the story of how he built a company culture centered around customer service and employee happiness. Hsieh’s unconventional approach to business, which included prioritizing employee well-being over profits, led to Zappos becoming a leading online retailer.

The book is filled with practical lessons on building a strong company culture, creating customer loyalty, and pursuing happiness in both life and business.

Hsieh’s story is an inspiring reminder that business success can go hand-in-hand with personal fulfillment.

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13. Call Me Ted by Ted Turner and Bill Burke

In Call Me Ted, media mogul Ted Turner shares his life story, from his early years in the billboard business to his creation of CNN, the first 24-hour news network.

Turner’s memoir is filled with anecdotes about his business successes, his competitive spirit, and his larger-than-life personality. He also reflects on his environmental activism and his commitment to philanthropy.

Call Me Ted is an entertaining and insightful read about a man who changed the face of media and left a lasting mark on the world.

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14. Morgan: American Financier by Jean Strouse

Jean Strouse’s Morgan is a comprehensive biography of J.P. Morgan, the legendary banker who played a key role in shaping the modern financial system. Strouse examines Morgan’s influence on Wall Street, his role in rescuing the U.S. economy during financial crises, and his leadership in creating some of the world’s largest corporations.

The book offers a glimpse into Morgan’s personal life, examining his relationships, his passion for art collecting, and the enduring influence he had on American finance.

Morgan is a fascinating look at the life of a man who helped shape the course of global capitalism.

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15. Carnegie by Peter Krass

Carnegie by Peter Krass tells the story of Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish immigrant who became one of the wealthiest and most influential businessmen of the 19th century.

Carnegie built a steel empire that dominated the American industrial landscape, but he is perhaps best known for his philanthropy.

The book explores Carnegie’s rise to wealth, his business strategies, and his belief in giving back to society. Krass paints a vivid picture of a man who was both a ruthless capitalist and a dedicated philanthropist, leaving a lasting legacy through his charitable work.

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Conclusion

These 15 business biographies offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the minds behind some of the world’s most successful companies.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or simply interested in the stories of business legends, these books provide invaluable lessons on leadership, innovation, and perseverance.

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