To be financially successful, you’ll have to learn from people that have attained financial freedom and who best suit this description than billionaires.
Billionaires aren’t just some popular individuals, in fact, they are more popular than many celebrities; they are highly respected people who were been able to scale through insurmountable odds and shape industries of the world.
Many people would give anything to sit down and have a conversation with any self-made billionaire like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey or Warren Buffet to get some nuggets of wisdom.
While having dinner with Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos is not something that is seemingly possible, you could follow the same principles, strategies, and techniques used by these billionaires to attain financial success.
All these tips and helpful advice are well laid out in several books written by these billionaires.
Below are the 20 Books By Billionaires That Will Lead You To Financial Success
1. The Virgin Way: If It’s Not Fun, It’s Not Worth Doing
The Virgin Way: If It’s Not Fun, It’s Not Worth Doing by Richard Branson centers on the methods developed by the billionaire that helped him build his multi-billion-dollar business empire.
This book provides business directives, motivation and somewhat promotes the author and his myriad businesses.
So if you’re interested in learning how Richard Branson built the Virgin Group over the course of forty years, the steps, directives and motivational tips that helped him scale through the seemingly impossible odds, then you should get this book.
According to some readers, The Virgin Way will help you build the right mindset needed in your climb to financial freedom.
Author: Richard Branson
Current edition: (September 9, 2014)
Pages: 402
2. Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way
Losing My Virginity is another book by Richard Branson that gives you sneak peeks into the lifestyle of the billionaire.
In this autobiography, Branson provides more insight into his business ventures. Like most books by the billionaire, this autobiography is mainly meant to inspire you to pursue your dreams just as Branson did.
This book isn’t just great for those who want to learn more about one of the most influential persons in the world but also for those who want to know more about what it takes to build a business empire.
The book is written in a simple and clear language that should be easy to understand, however, some of the advice might seem pretty outdated as they are coming from a billionaire spent most of his early years in the 20th century.
Still, the book is one of the best billionaire books that details the exact mindset you need to have and the steps you need to take to make your dreams come true.
Author: Richard Branson
Current edition: Updated Edition (June 2011)
Pages: 624
3. Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul
Onward by Howard Schultz tells the story of how the CEO of Starbucks helped restore the coffee company to its former glory.
The book offers leadership lessons, business advice, and financial management tips that should be applied to whatever business venture you engage in. Through the book, you’ll also get an inside look into Schultz’s leadership philosophy and understand the right steps to take if your business is struggling to keep up with the demands of modern society.
Unlike most books by billionaires, Onward provides useful information that you could apply in the real world. It is more than just an autobiography of a business tycoon even though the story centers on Schultz’s journey.
If you are interested in learning how about the lifestyle of billionaires who built successful businesses and the methods, philosophy, and techniques they applied, then this autobiography may be one of those books that will provide the information you seek.
Author: Howard Schultz
Current edition: Reprint Edition (March 2012)
Pages: 368
4. How to Win at the Sport of Business: If I Can Do It, You Can Do It
There are very few books by billionaires that tell the honest truth. In most books written by these 10-figure individuals, some information is likely exaggerated and some details are omitted to make it more interesting or inspirational to the reader.
In Mark Cuban’s How to Win at the Sport of Business, you’ll find actually ideas on how to build a successful business, honest and straightforward information about the climb from broke to billionaire and inspirational messages that will keep you going when things get tough.
This book is highly recommended for entrepreneurs looking for the unadulterated truth to building wealth and becoming successful.
Author: Mark Cuban
Current edition: First Diversion Books Edition (June 2013)
Pages: 112
5. The Essays of Warren Buffett
The Essays of Warren Buffett by Warren Buffett isn’t meant for the casual reader. This book is filled with sound business and ethical principles employed by one of the greatest investors of all time in handling businesses.
The Essays of Warren Buffett is one of the few books that focus on providing actual information that will help businesses thrive in the increasingly competitive markets rather than focusing on the life and success of the author.
If you are a business operator or investor looking for information on how to avoid some common mistakes most entrepreneurs make or you are searching for real-time business advice that will help you make the right investment decisions, then you should get this book.
While the book has been edited and streamlined for easier reading, you’ll still need to have knowledge of several technical business terms if you hope to learn something from the book.
Author: Warren E. Buffet and Lawrence A. Cunningham
Current edition: Fourth Edition (November 2015)
Pages: 328
6. Business @ the Speed of Thought
Business @ the Speed of Thought by Bill Gates might have been written about two decades ago, but the business tips and advice in the book can still be applied to today’s businesses. The book is aimed at entrepreneurs and discusses how technology can help run businesses better.
It provides detailed examples of successful businesses that have seen massive growth in a short period of time due to the use of technology in their business operations.
Business @ the Speed of Thought is actually a blueprint for how to build a billion-dollar company. Through this book, you’ll learn the strategies and techniques needed to gain dominance in your industry.
Author: Bill H. Gates
Current edition: (May 2000)
Pages: 496
7. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
According to the Small Business Association (SBA), 30% of new businesses fail during the first two years and about half fail during the first years. This high failure rate is due to many factors of which the most common is the lack of factual, helpful information on business and financial management.
Many talented entrepreneurs start their businesses full of optimism and fail to make regular reality checks and end up losing their investments within the first few years.
Multi-billionaire, entrepreneur, and investor Peter Thiel inhisbook, Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future provides practical and realistic tips, strategies and techniques that entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs can use to build successful businesses.
Authors: Peter Thiel and Blake Masters
Current edition: 1st Edition (September 2014)
Pages: 224
8. Think Like a Champion: An Informal Education in Business and Life
Although he is not the richest man in America, Donald Trump is certainly the most popular entrepreneur due to his leadership skills and success in various areas of business. The billionaire is also one of the most successful authors with more than fifteen bestselling books to his name.
In Think Like a Champion: An Informal Education in Business and Life, Donald Trump details principles, strategies, and thoughts that helped him become very successful in his business ventures.
He also included inspiration messages and quotes that will help you build the right mindset that will lead you to financial success.
Author: Donald Trump
Contributor: Meredith Mclver
Current edition: Reprint Edition (April 2010)
Pages: 192
9. Think Big: Make It Happen in Business and Life
Think Big: Make It Happen in Business and Life features a success formula for entrepreneurs facing insurmountable odds in their business and personal life. The book delivers tips and advice on business and real-life stories from people that have applied the think BIG formula in their own lives.
Rather than the motivational quotes and messages you find in most books by successful people, this book offers you real strategies that are proven by those who have followed the think BIG formula and attained success in their own lives.
One of such person is Bill Zanker, who is also a co-author of the book. In the book, Zanker sheds light on how his business, The Learning Annex grew from a $5 million a year company to a $100-million dollar a year in sales after applying the think BIG formula.
Authors: Donald Trump and Bill Zanker
Current edition: Reprint Edition (September 2008)
Pages: 384
10. Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio
Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio is another book by a billionaire that provides you with the right ideas that will create unique results in both life and business.
The book focuses on the life, struggle, and success of one of the most influential and successful investors and entrepreneurs in the world. In the book, you’ll find unconventional principles and strategies through which Dalio was able to build the largest and best-performing hedge fund in the world.
You’ll find practical lessons on life, management, economics, investing, and innovative tips on how to make the right decisions, approach challenges, and build strong teams.
Author: Ray Dalio
Current edition: 1st Edition (September 2017)
Pages: 592
11. The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel
The Intelligent Investor is one of the most successful investing books of all time. It contains strategies, charts, facts, and techniques that have helped some of the world’s greatest investors make the right trades and earn huge returns.
Originally the book was written by Benjamin Graham, one of the world’s greatest investors and the mentor to the Warren Buffet. The book has been revised to include investing ideas and strategies that will be effective in the modern world.
Although a lot of the information in the book could be useful, beginners will have a hard time understanding some of the terms used in the book. We recommend you get this book only if you have some experience in investing or you understand the basic terms of the stock market.
Authors: Benjamin Graham and Jason Zweig
Contributor: Warren E. Buffet
Current edition: Revised, Subsequent Edition (February 2006)
Pages: 640
12. The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose
The Path Made Clear is a book of self-discovery. In this book, you will find key lessons and personal stories from Oprah Winfrey that helped set her life on the right course. The book is also filled with inspirational messages and directives on how to find your direction and purpose and how to live that purpose even when the world is against you.
You will also life lessons from renowned figures such as Brene Brown, Ellen DeGeneres, Jay-Z, and Elizabeth Gilbert that will help you direct your energy towards living a life filled with purpose.
This is not a book on financial success or investing, rather it is a book on self-discovery that could help you make the right decisions in all areas of your life including your finances.
Author: Oprah Winfrey
Current edition: (March 2019)
Pages: 208
13. What I Know For Sure
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most charismatic leaders in American history. Her rise from abject poverty to North America’s first multi-billionaire has inspired millions of Americans and Africans to seek out their dreams and never give up.
What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey details the billionaire’s experiences, life lessons and insight into the steps to take that will help you achieve your goals.
Author: Oprah Winfrey
Current edition: First Printing Edition (September 2014)
Pages: 240
14. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by veteran technology journalist Ashlee Vance gives us a look into the life of one of the world’s audacious billionaires.
The book focuses on the entrepreneur’s journey from a rough childhood in South Africa to the pinnacle of the global business world.
Through this book, you’ll learn about the mindset and the characteristics of a billionaire who has renewed the American industry and promoted new levels of innovation.
You’ll also learn about how he built his companies, how he scaled through insurmountable odds and strategies you can apply to help you scale through in the financial aspect of your life.
This book is only meant for individuals who plan to do the extraordinary and invent a new future.
Author: Elon Musk
Current edition: 1st Edition (May 2015)
Pages: 400
15. Fooling Some of the People All of the Time, A Long Short (and Now Complete) Story, Updated with New Epilogue
Fooling Some of the People All of the Time details the battle between Allied Capital and the author’s Greenlight Capital. It provides details into questionable company practices and several other financial institutions.
The book focuses on many aspects of investing, capital markets and provides insight into corporate behavior. According to some reviews, it is a tale of deceit, fraud, misinterpretation, corporate greed, and sheds lights on the levels management will go through to protect their own interest.
The book starts off with some background information on Mr. Einhorn and moves into his battle with Allied Capital with facts and details so well laid out that the average reader would be able to grasp the point after going through a few examples.
This book is recommended for those who actively invest in stocks. It will help you take the right steps when purchasing a stock and to avoid fraud and heavy losses in the investing world.
Author: David Einhorn
Foreword: Joel Greenblatt
Current edition: 1st Edition (December 2010)
Pages: 448
16. The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor
The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor by Howard Marks details the keys to successful investments and the setbacks that can ruin a career or destroy capital. The book is filled with examples and the investment philosophy of Marks that made him one of the successful investors in the world.
The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor is one of the few investment books that provide actual ideas that can be applied to today’s market. Through the book, you will learn valuable lessons for risk assessment, critical thinking and investment strategies that will achieve results in your investment endeavors.
Marks’ thoughts on investing are shared in a clear and concise language that is easy to understand even for the beginner investor.
Author: Howard Marks
Current edition: First Printing Edition (May 2011)
Pages: 200
17. Sam Walton: Made In America
Sam Walton: Made In America tells the story of how the world’s largest corporation by revenue as well as the biggest private employer in the world was created.
The book is an autobiography of the life of Sam Watson and illustrates the journey that faces all entrepreneurs.
If you’re looking for inspiration to follow your dreams or you’re looking for tips on what it takes to succeed in your business ventures, then this book may be for you.
Sam Walton gives you an inside look into his journey from childhood to the founding of Walmart Inc. You’ll find proven business tips, practical wisdom, philosophies and the way to approach business ventures for success.
Authors: Sam Walton and John Huey
Current edition: First Edition (May 1992)
Pages: 269
18. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight tells a story of how one of the founders of Nike used fifty dollars to launch the world’s leading athletic apparel maker.
Within the first year, Knight was able to gross eight thousand dollars and six decades later, Nike annual sales topped $30 billion.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike shares all the risks, the crushing setbacks, the ruthless competitors, the doubts and successes Phil Knight encountered on his journey.
Author: PhilKnight
Current edition: First Edition (April 2016)
Pages: 400
19. Behind the Cloud: The Untold Story of How Salesforce.com Went from Idea to Billion-Dollar Company-and Revolutionized an Industry
Behind the Cloud is a book by a billionaire that focuses on how successful businesses are built. In this book, Benioff shares details on how salesforce grew from a start-up in a rented apartment into the fastest-growing software company in less than a decade.
The book provides information on the strategies, models, and techniques used to build the company and how it became a market leader in the cloud computing industry.
If you’re an entrepreneur looking for ways to inspire innovation and how to grow your business regardless of the economic climate, then this book may help to set you on the right path.
Authors: MarcBenioffandCarlyeAdler
Current edition: First Edition (October 2009)
Pages: 304
20. How Google Works
Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg share the entertaining and helpful lessons they learned as they helped build Google during their time as technology executives in the company.
The book details tips and advice on how technology can help companies keep and make more customers while crushing the competition. It also provides details on ways to succeed in the ever-changing economic landscape.
In the book, the authors cover an extensive number of topics including talent, decision-making, corporate culture, and innovation while providing actionable information on how to attract smart creative people who will help keep the company running by applying quality management practices.
Authors: Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg
Current edition: (October 2014)
Pages: 304
