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FM

Founder Memoirs

Entrepreneurship and Startups

Founders tell the story of the companies they built in their own words, from Nike and Walmart to Virgin, Netflix and Chick-fil-A.

53 books on Founder Memoirs, 2 of them tier 1, recommended by 65 people including Mohnish Pabrai and David Cancel.

53 books · 76 experts

Start here

  1. Sam Walton: Made in AmericaSam Walton, John Huey, 1992
  2. Shoe DogPhil Knight, 2016
  3. Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald'sRay Kroc, Robert Anderson, 1977
  4. Banker to the PoorMuhammad Yunus, 1998
  5. Built from ScratchBernie Marcus, Arthur Blank, 1999

The best books on Founder Memoirs 53

Sam Walton: Made in AmericaSam Walton: Made in America
T1 Sam Walton: Made in America
Sam Walton, John Huey · 1992
Insider account: the founder's memoir, dictated as he was dying.
Open Library
Recommended byDavid CancelMohnish PabraiJamie DimonJeff BezosIman GadzhiTerrance McArthur
Shoe DogShoe Dog
T1 Shoe Dog
Phil Knight · 2016
Insider account: Knight's founder memoir, the best-known Nike book.
Open Library
“Shoe Dog is a refreshingly honest reminder of what the path to business success really looks like.”Bill Gates
Recommended byAndrew WilkinsonBill GatesMohnish PabraiWarren BuffettAlexis OhanianAlfred LinAnthony PomplianoAusten Allred+20 more
Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald'sGrinding It Out: The Making of McDonald's
T2 Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald's
Ray Kroc, Robert Anderson · 1977
Insider account: Kroc's own telling of the takeover and expansion.
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
Banker to the PoorBanker to the Poor
T2 Banker to the Poor
Muhammad Yunus · 1998
Founder's account of Grameen Bank and the economics of unsecured lending at scale.
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish PabraiThe Barefoot Investor
Built from ScratchBuilt from Scratch
T2 Built from Scratch
Bernie Marcus, Arthur Blank · 1999
Home Depot's founders on building the big-box hardware category
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish PabraiJamie DimonDavid CancelFrank Blake
Behind the CloudBehind the Cloud
T2 Behind the Cloud
Marc Benioff, Carlye Adler · 2009
Salesforce's founder on inventing the SaaS sales and pricing model.
Open Library
“The third book in his lecture trio — Salesforce's playbook, a natural template for Box's own cloud-enterprise journey.”Aaron Levie
Recommended byAaron LevieDavid CancelDavid SacksEric SchmidtKeith RaboisTony Robbins
Delivering HappinessDelivering Happiness
T2 Delivering Happiness
Tony Hsieh · 2010
Zappos: service as the customer-acquisition budget.
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish PabraiEv WilliamsRan SegallTim FerrissTony Hsieh
Am I Being Too Subtle?Am I Being Too Subtle?
T2 Am I Being Too Subtle?
Sam Zell · 2017
Subtitled Straight Talk From a Business Rebel.
Open Library
Recommended byCodie Sanchez
Who Is Michael Ovitz?Who Is Michael Ovitz?
T2 Who Is Michael Ovitz?
Michael Ovitz · 2018
CAA's founder on building the agency that repriced Hollywood talent
Open Library
“He calls it "truly rare to read a book this honest from a living legend," a favorite on power and dealmaking.”Ben Horowitz
Recommended byBen HorowitzBenedict EvansJason CalacanisKeith RaboisMarc AndreessenPacky McCormick
Invent and WanderInvent and Wander
T2 Invent and Wander
Jeff Bezos, Walter Isaacson · 2020
Insider: Bezos's collected shareholder letters and speeches.
Open Library
Trump: The Art of the DealTrump: The Art of the Deal
T3 Trump: The Art of the Deal
Donald Trump, Tony Schwartz · 1987
Insider account of a New York developer's own deals.
Open Library
Recommended byShane Parrish
Bloomberg by BloombergBloomberg by Bloomberg
T3 Bloomberg by Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg, Matthew Winkler · 1997
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
Pour Your Heart Into ItPour Your Heart Into It
T3 Pour Your Heart Into It
Howard Schultz, Dori Jones Yang · 1997
Insider account: Schultz on building the company to 1997.
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
Direct from DellDirect from Dell
T3 Direct from Dell
Michael Dell, Catherine Fredman · 1999
Insider account of build-to-order, negative working capital and cutting the channel.
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish PabraiAndrew Grove
That Will Never WorkThat Will Never Work
T3 That Will Never Work
Marc Randolph · 2019
Insider account: Netflix co-founder, including the Blockbuster pitch.
Open Library
Recommended byReed Hastings
Who Knew
T3 Who Knew
Barry Diller · 2024
Media executive's memoir spanning Paramount, Fox and IAC
Open Library
Recommended byBill Gates
Men & Rubber: The Story of Business
T4 Men & Rubber: The Story of Business
Harvey Samuel Firestong, Samuel Crowther · 1926
Founder's account of building Firestone; business sense from the tyre trade
Open Library
Recommended byAndrew WilkinsonCharlie MungerMohnish Pabrai
Les Schwab: Pride in PerformanceLes Schwab: Pride in Performance
T4 Les Schwab: Pride in Performance
Les Schwab · 1986
Tire-shop founder's memoir on profit sharing and dealer economics
Open Library
“If you want to read one book, read the autobiography of Les Schwab... He ran tire shops in the Midwest and made a fortune”Charlie Munger
Recommended byCharlie Munger
Dave's WayDave's Way
T4 Dave's Way
David R. Thomas · 1991
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
An Eye for WinnersAn Eye for Winners
T4 An Eye for Winners
Lillian Vernon · 1996
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
The Pampered Chef: The Story of One of AmeriThe Pampered Chef: The Story of One of America's Most Beloved Companies
T4 The Pampered Chef: The Story of One of America's Most Beloved Companies
Doris Christopher · 1996
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
King of ClubsKing of Clubs
T4 King of Clubs
Robert H. Dedman · 1998
Open Library
Recommended byBlake Mycoskie
Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way
T4 Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way
Richard Branson · 1998
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish PabraiIman GadzhiThe Barefoot Investor
First A DreamFirst A Dream
T4 First A Dream
Jim Clayton · 2002
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish PabraiWarren Buffett
Sex Money KissSex Money Kiss
T4 Sex Money Kiss
Gene Simmons · 2003
Open Library
Recommended byThe Barefoot Investor
Copy This!: Lessons from a Hyperactive DysleCopy This!: Lessons from a Hyperactive Dyslexic who Turned a Bright Idea Into One of America's Best Companies
T4 Copy This!: Lessons from a Hyperactive Dyslexic who Turned a Bright Idea Into One of America's Best Companies
Paul Orfalea, Ann Marsh · 2005
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons In LifeScrew It, Let's Do It: Lessons In Life
T4 Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons In Life
Richard Branson · 2006
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
How Did You Do It, Truett?: A Recipe for SucHow Did You Do It, Truett?: A Recipe for Success
T4 How Did You Do It, Truett?: A Recipe for Success
S. Truett Cathy · 2007
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
1,000 Dollars and an Idea1,000 Dollars and an Idea
T4 1,000 Dollars and an Idea
Sam Wyly · 2008
Entrepreneur's memoir of building and selling successive companies
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
The First Billion Is the Hardest: ReflectionThe First Billion Is the Hardest: Reflections on a Life of Comebacks and America's Energy Future
T4 The First Billion Is the Hardest: Reflections on a Life of Comebacks and America's Energy Future
T. Boone Pickens · 2008
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
How to Castrate a BullHow to Castrate a Bull
T4 How to Castrate a Bull
Dave Hitz · 2009
Open Library
Recommended byAaron Levie
Starting from Scrap: An Entrepreneurial SuccStarting from Scrap: An Entrepreneurial Success Story
T4 Starting from Scrap: An Entrepreneurial Success Story
Stephen H. Greer · 2010
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
Anything You WantAnything You Want
T4 Anything You Want
Derek Sivers · 2011
Open Library
Recommended byNat EliasonAli AbdaalPaul JarvisSahil LavingiaTim Ferriss
The Method MethodThe Method Method
T4 The Method Method
Eric Ryan · 2011
Open Library
Recommended byKeith Rabois
Bend, Not BreakBend, Not Break
T4 Bend, Not Break
Ping Fu · 2012
Open Library
Recommended bySimon Sinek
The Art of Being UnreasonableThe Art of Being Unreasonable
T4 The Art of Being Unreasonable
Eli Broad · 2012
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish PabraiBill Gates
Do Cool Sh*tDo Cool Sh*t
T4 Do Cool Sh*t
Miki Agrawal · 2013
Open Library
Recommended byJim KwikTony Hsieh
Self BeliefSelf Belief
T4 Self Belief
Jamal Edwards · 2013
Open Library
Recommended byRichard Branson
UnlabelUnlabel
T4 Unlabel
Marc Ecko · 2013
Open Library
Recommended byChase Jarvis
#GIRLBOSS#GIRLBOSS
T4 #GIRLBOSS
Sophia Amoruso · 2014
Open Library
Recommended byAudrey Gelman
Winners Dream: A Journey from Corner Store tWinners Dream: A Journey from Corner Store to Corner Office
T4 Winners Dream: A Journey from Corner Store to Corner Office
Bill McDermott · 2014
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
Habit of Labor: Lessons from a Life of StrugHabit of Labor: Lessons from a Life of Struggle & Success
T4 Habit of Labor: Lessons from a Life of Struggle & Success
Stef Wertheimer · 2015
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
High-Hanging FruitHigh-Hanging Fruit
T4 High-Hanging Fruit
Mark Rampolla · 2016
Open Library
Recommended byJason Fried
Quench Your Own ThirstQuench Your Own Thirst
T4 Quench Your Own Thirst
Jim Koch · 2016
Open Library
Recommended byTony Hsieh
To Pixar and BeyondTo Pixar and Beyond
T4 To Pixar and Beyond
Lawrence Levy · 2016
Open Library
Recommended byMichael Batko
Lost and FounderLost and Founder
T4 Lost and Founder
Rand Fishkin · 2018
Open Library
Recommended byJake Knapp
The Fixer
T4 The Fixer
Bradley Tusk · 2018
Open Library
Recommended byAudrey GelmanMichael Bloomberg
How I Almost Blew ItHow I Almost Blew It
T4 How I Almost Blew It
Sidharth Rao · 2019
Open Library
Recommended byGirish Mathrubootham
I Love Capitalism!: An American Story
T4 I Love Capitalism!: An American Story
Ken Langone · 2019
Open Library
Recommended byJason CalacanisTerrance McArthur
The Harder You Work, the Luckier You GetThe Harder You Work, the Luckier You Get
T4 The Harder You Work, the Luckier You Get
Joe Ricketts · 2019
Open Library
Recommended byDonald Trump
Sir Richard Branson: The AutobiographySir Richard Branson: The Autobiography
T4 Sir Richard Branson: The Autobiography
Richard Branson
unverified
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
The Big Ship and the Little Digger
T4 The Big Ship and the Little Digger
Ryan Peterson
unverified
Recommended byKeith WassermanTerrance McArthur
The Minefield Girl
T4 The Minefield Girl
Sofia Ek
unverified
Recommended byDaniel Ek

Experts 76

The people who wrote this page's books, and the people who recommend them.

Authors 16

Richard Bransonwrote 3 books hereMarc Benioffwrote 1 book hereSam Zellwrote 1 book hereWalter Isaacsonwrote 1 book hereHoward Schultzwrote 1 book hereMichael Dellwrote 1 book here
DS
Derek Siverswrote 1 book hereDonald Trumpwrote 1 book hereJeff Bezoswrote 1 book here
JC
Jim Claytonwrote 1 book hereMichael Bloombergwrote 1 book hereRay Krocwrote 1 book here
Show all 16
RP
Ryan Petersonwrote 1 book hereSam Waltonwrote 1 book here
SA
Sophia Amorusowrote 1 book hereTony Hsiehwrote 1 book here

Recommenders 65

MP
Mohnish Pabrairecommends 25 books here
DC
David Cancelrecommends 4 books here
TM
Terrance McArthurrecommends 4 books hereBill Gatesrecommends 3 books hereJason Calacanisrecommends 3 books hereKeith Raboisrecommends 3 books here
BI
The Barefoot Investorrecommends 3 books hereTony Hsiehrecommends 3 books hereCharlie Mungerrecommends 2 books hereWarren Buffettrecommends 2 books hereAaron Levierecommends 2 books here
AW
Andrew Wilkinsonrecommends 2 books here
Show all 65
Audrey Gelmanrecommends 2 books here
IG
Iman Gadzhirecommends 2 books hereJamie Dimonrecommends 2 books hereJeff Bezosrecommends 2 books here
MB
Michael Batkorecommends 2 books here
RS
Ran Segallrecommends 2 books hereReed Hastingsrecommends 2 books hereTim Ferrissrecommends 2 books hereAndrew S. Groverecommends 1 book hereBen Horowitzrecommends 1 book hereMarc Andreessenrecommends 1 book hereBrad Feldrecommends 1 book hereEric Schmidtrecommends 1 book here
MH
Morgan Houselrecommends 1 book here
SP
Shane Parrishrecommends 1 book hereSimon Sinekrecommends 1 book hereAlexis Ohanianrecommends 1 book hereAlfred Linrecommends 1 book here
AA
Ali Abdaalrecommends 1 book here
AP
Anthony Pomplianorecommends 1 book here
AA
Austen Allredrecommends 1 book here
BE
Benedict Evansrecommends 1 book hereBill Gurleyrecommends 1 book hereBlake Mycoskierecommends 1 book here
BA
Brian Armstrongrecommends 1 book here
CJ
Chase Jarvisrecommends 1 book here
CS
Codie Sanchezrecommends 1 book hereDaniel Ekrecommends 1 book hereDavid Sacksrecommends 1 book hereDonald Trumprecommends 1 book here
EJ
Eric Jorgensonrecommends 1 book hereEv Williamsrecommends 1 book here
FB
Frank Blakerecommends 1 book here
GM
Girish Mathruboothamrecommends 1 book here
JK
Jake Knapprecommends 1 book here
JF
Jason Friedrecommends 1 book here
JK
Jim Kwikrecommends 1 book here
KW
Keith Wassermanrecommends 1 book hereMichael Bloombergrecommends 1 book here
NE
Nat Eliasonrecommends 1 book here
NH
Nick Huberrecommends 1 book here
NM
Nick Molnarrecommends 1 book here
PM
Packy McCormickrecommends 1 book here
PO
Patrick O'Shaughnessyrecommends 1 book here
PJ
Paul Jarvisrecommends 1 book hereRichard Bransonrecommends 1 book here
SL
Sahil Lavingiarecommends 1 book here
SW
Samantha Wongrecommends 1 book hereSatya Nadellarecommends 1 book here
SS
Steph Smithrecommends 1 book hereTony Robbinsrecommends 1 book hereTrevor Ncuberecommends 1 book hereVlad Tenevrecommends 1 book here
See all 76 in the Experts tab →

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