20 Books to Understand People, Money, and Power
Keith’s List
Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
This book is about how your mindset quietly controls everything you do. Hill studied insanely successful people and realized they all thought in a very deliberate way. The big idea isn’t magic or manifesting — it’s that if you’re clear on what you want and you actually believe it’s possible, your behavior starts lining up with that goal without you even noticing. It’s about obsession, persistence, and surrounding yourself with the right people.
Words That Work – Frank Luntz
This book makes you realize how much words are running the show. Same facts, totally different reactions depending on how you say something. Luntz shows how politicians and marketers get people to agree with ideas they might normally reject just by changing language. After reading it, you start hearing phrases differently and realizing how often opinions are being nudged rather than logically formed.
The Tao of Physics – Fritjof Capra
This one’s wild because it shows how modern physics and ancient spirituality are kind of saying the same thing. Quantum physics basically says reality isn’t solid or predictable, and Eastern philosophy has been saying that for thousands of years. The book makes you step back and think less in straight lines and more in systems, patterns, and flow — which honestly applies way beyond science.
Sapiens – Yuval Noah Harari
This book makes you question almost everything about society. The big takeaway is that humans run the world not because we’re the strongest, but because we believe in shared stories — like money, countries, and companies. None of that stuff physically exists the way trees do, but we all agree it does, so it works. It’s kind of humbling and slightly uncomfortable in the best way.
Market Mind Games – Denise Shull
If you trade or invest, this book flips the script. Instead of telling you to kill your emotions, it says your emotions are actually information. The problem isn’t feeling fear or excitement — it’s not understanding what those feelings are telling you. Shull explains why traders blow up even when they “know better,” and how self-awareness can actually become an edge.
Shut Up and Listen – Tilman Fertitta
This is like getting business advice from a blunt, no-BS billionaire. Fertitta basically says most people overcomplicate business when it really comes down to execution, cash flow, and paying attention. He talks a lot about learning the hard way, making mistakes, and staying hands-on. It’s not fancy, but it’s real.
Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman
This book explains why your brain lies to you all the time — especially when money’s involved. Kahneman breaks your thinking into fast, emotional reactions and slower, logical reasoning. The problem is we rely on the fast one way too much. Once you understand the biases he talks about, you start noticing how often confidence has nothing to do with being right.
Atomic Habits – James Clear
This book is basically saying your life is the result of what you do every day, not what you plan to do. Tiny habits don’t feel important in the moment, but they stack up fast. Clear also makes a big point that if you want to change your life, you have to change how you see yourself, not just your routines. Simple ideas, insanely effective.
Managing by the Numbers – Chuck Kremer
This one’s for when you realize vibes don’t pay the bills. Kremer explains business finances in a way that actually makes sense and shows how the numbers tell the real story of what’s going on. It helps you stop guessing and start understanding where money is actually being made or lost.
The Gospel of Wealth and Other Timely Essays – Andrew Carnegie
Carnegie’s whole thing is that making money isn’t the problem — hoarding it is. He believed rich people have a responsibility to use their wealth to improve society while they’re alive. It’s interesting because you can see how early industrialists justified capitalism while also wrestling with inequality — and honestly, the debate still hasn’t changed much.
Ben’s List
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant – Eric Jorgenson
Naval is a Venture Capitalist & Philosopher with an unrivaled ability to spot trends in markets and human behavior. Eric Jorgenson took the time to summarize Naval’s tweets & thoughts to give you a guide to building the life you want in a world no one prepared you for. The key takeaway from this book is the importance of leverage and how to create it for yourself.
Propaganda – Edward Bernays
This book was written nearly 100 years ago but has never been more relevant. Edward Bernays is known as the Father of Public Relations & a pioneer of propaganda. He highlights multiple examples of how deliberate media & use of psycholigical tactics can create movements and alter behavior of the masses.
Alchemy – Rory Sutherland
Rory is well known for thinking outside of the box. He provides examples of challenging conventional “wisdom” to see opportunities most miss completely or overlook deliberately, to their own detriment.
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
An easy to read story full of timeless lessons on fate & following your purpose.
How to Win Friends & Influence People – Dale Carnegie
A must read for anyone who feels they could be better with people and creating meaningful relationships. Even if you feel you are great with people, this is worth reading every few years to act as a much needed reminder. Every time I re-read this, I see a near immediate improvement to my life.
The Price of Tomorrow – Jeff Booth
Jeff does a fantastic job explaining how unprecedented technological innovation is clashing with outdated economic forces to create the chaotic world we are currently navigating.
Influence – Robert Cialdini
If you are interested in the art of influence or influential psychology, this is mandatory writing. This book shows up on many top book lists and its for good reason. This book combines powerful theory with real life examples to change how you see the world & the influence you have over it.
Trust Me I’m Lying – Ryan Holiday
This book provides another example of how media can be manipulated if you understand the incentive structure of the gatekeepers. Ryan shares how he was able to manufacture press with almost no budget to market the brand he worked for at the time. Modern day media literacy is an incredibly powerful skills & Ryan shows it’s power in practice.
Becoming Supernatural – Joe Dispenza
While skeptics see this book and others by Joe Dispenza as “woo woo” this book has had some of the greatest impact on my life. Understanding the feedback loop of thought, belief & action in creating your existence, provides you with an unlock in your life to shape your reality. Come with an open mind & take the material seriously & the impact on you will be significant.
Reality Transurfing – Vadim Zeland
This book is a bit out there but in a good way. Vadim teaches you about the concept of ‘pendulums’ & how they cypher energy from people without their knowledge. Simply hearing about the concept will change how you see the world & give you the tools to develop more agency over your experience.
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