Category: Book Reviews
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Startups: How to Crack the Funding Code by Judy Robinett
What if there was a way to crack the funding out there? Let’s face it! Startup funding is a difficult topic and, as a general rule, the questions faced by Founders in need for cash are numerous. Who do you need to talk to? What can you expect from investors and what should you seek…
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Educated, a Memoir: when Tara Westover shakes your world
Educated, by Tara Westover, was unquestionably one of my literary shocks this year. This book is not only well written and inspiring, but it is also deep, eye-opening and brutally mind-shaking. While there are tons of excuses out there not to change anything, Educated is a testimony that everyone should read. As long as they’re…
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Hedge by Nicolas Colin: A Meaningful Book on Entrepreneurship
Hedge, A Greater Safety Net for the Entrepreneurial Age by Nicolas Colin: what if our society models and approach to innovation and entrepreneurship were outdated? While at some point being a Tech entrepreneur was a trendy thing, nowadays our relationship to tech and innovative companies has shifted. Complexity, perplexity, the words aren’t difficult to find.…
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EarthMasters, Clive Hamilton’s scary book on Geoengineering
Climate change is a big topic these days, but what do we really know about the topic? Earth Masters, The Dawn of the Age of Climate Change is one of those books which contribute to the debate by explaining some of the side aspects very few people talk about. In short? The topic here isn’t…
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Simon Sinek on why you should Start With Why.
This month, I’ve decided to make you think smart with a book on entrepreneurship and, more generally, innovation. This book is Start With Why, by Simon Sinek. A bestselling piece which you probably heard about many times. But have you read it? The book elaborates on what should be the core of a strategy. Whether…
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Denise Brosseau asks: are you Ready to Be a Thought Leader? – Book Review
Ready to be a Thought Leader? How to Increase Your Influence, Impact and Success, by Denise Brosseau is one of those books I’ve put to the top of my must-read list, without the slightest doubt. The book isn’t on Amazon’s hot list, and I haven’t heard many people talk about it, yet I think that it…
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You should read Radicals, Outsiders Changing the World by Jamie Bartlett.
Outsiders Changing the World by Jamie Bartlett: what if a little bit of radical thinking made you think smarter? Considering radicals as originals and marginals is easy, we all do it. But what if their way of thinking actually had an impact? What if their methods had things in common? Things we can learn from…
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Charisma books: Dale Carnegie on Self-Confidence and Public Speaking
Today, I am writing about Dale Carnegie’s book How to Develop Self-Confidence and Influence People by Public Speaking! Public speaking is an interesting topic, especially when it comes to building up your charisma, your professional profile, or if you are considering promoting something that matters to you. But here is the thing: public speaking is difficult. How…
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The Future of Power: Joseph Nye on Soft Power, Hard Power and Smart Power.
The Future of Power by Joseph Nye is one of those books that have the potential to make you think about the world you live in. In this case, and as the title suggests, the main topic is power, which the author analyses and explains in great length, but in a practical way. Soft power,…
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Yep! Yuval Noah Harari says humanity is doomed! (My Homo Deus review).
I thought writing a quick Homo Deus Review would make sense considering that I recently published my thoughts on Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari’s previous book. The good news is, like the previous one, this book is a page-turner. It reads like a story, but it gives you a lot of food for thought about mankind.…
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My Zero to One summary: Smart takes on building Startups by Peter Thiel
The bottom line of my Zero to One Summary? Easy. This book is one of the reference books out there for those interested in business development. Or perhaps should I say startup development, as a matter of fact. Peter Thiel (who is one of the Paypal founders) elaborates on how startups work and on the kind…
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Keller & Papasan say success depends on your ONE THING
What if thinking about (and finding out) what really drives you made a big difference in your life? Productivity and success are big things these days. People want to do better and more because success and productivity are often associated with quantity. In The One Thing, Gary Keller and Jay Papasan say that success depends…
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China is hot stuff, so Rudolph & Szonyi ask the China Questions!
Book suggestion & review – The China Questions | What if asking the correct China questions made you smarter? China is hot stuff these days. People talk about it a lot but sadly China-bashing is often the focus. In reality, there’s much more to say. The China Questions (edited by Jennifer Rudolph and Michael Szonyi)…
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Leadership & Human Skills: Dale Carnegie’s tips on How to Win Friends and Influence People
Leadership is a big thing we all want to explore, both for self-development or business reasons. But where should we start? Here is a book suggestion: in How to Win Friends and Influence People, leadership guru Dale Carnegie explains the basics of human intelligence and human skills. It’s very simple! These are the skills you…
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Food for thought: Interesting things David Runciman says on Politics
Politics and society books | Politics is a nasty topic. Controversial, dirty, boring, you name it. But couldn’t you use some food for thought on why politics are so complex? In his book ‘Politics’ David Runciman does just that. The book explores what politics are about and overall Runciman explains why getting results is so…
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Why Obama loved Harari’s book ‘Sapiens, a Brief History of Mankind’
Let me be blunt: Sapiens is one of those books you must absolutely read, and it’s not like you have a choice. I’m not just making a suggestion here, I’m telling you. Period! Sapiens, a Brief History of Mankind by Yuval Noah Harari is one of those books everybody has been talking about lately, and…
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What makes Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy for Joseph Schumpeter
Wondering why there is so much fuss about capitalism at the moment? Time to get back to the basics. Don’t take risks, though. Go for a big name. Today, my economics and society book suggestion is ‘Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy’ by Joseph Schumpeter. First, Schumpeter is one of those names everyone’s heard of (without being…
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Creativity lessons from Pixar: Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull
Looking for insights and tips on business and creativity development? Here is a book suggestion: Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull (with Amy Wallace). Creativity, Inc. uses the story of Pixar as a practical case study. The book is very practical, in other words, and it explains to what extent creativity can become part of a…
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Is there a Blockchain Revolution? Don & Alex Tapscott say there is one!
I’m sure you’ve heard of the blockchain. But can you tell what the thing is about? Probably not, and that’s normal. So, here is a book suggestion: Blockchain Revolution by Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott. The thing is, you can’t really afford to miss that book. The Blockchain is one of those trendy topics at…
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Here’s what Alec Ross thinks The Industries of The Future could be.
What could the industries of the future be like? Is the world as we know it over? Is technology about to change everything? If you are interested in these questions, ‘The Industries of the Future’ by Alec Ross is a must-read book. Really! Let’s face it, people keep talking about technologies. Robots are replacing humans,…
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How to innovate: Guy Kawasaki’s Rules for Revolutionaries
Here is another interesting book on creativity and business leadership. If you are in business, chances are that you keep asking yourself how to beat the competition, right? Well, as usual, here is a book suggestion: Rules for Revolutionaries by Guy Kawasaki. So what’s special about that book? In Rules for Revolutionaries, Kawasaki gives you…
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Leadership & Creativity: Here’s how Adam Grant’s Originals Move the World
There are tons of books out there on leadership and creativity, but Originals by Adam Grant is definitely in top position on my book suggestions list. In ‘Originals, How Non-Conformists Move the World’, Grant provides tons of food for thought on how to be better at creativity and leadership… differently. Are you interested in finding…
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Building a business? Read Chris Guillebeau’s Side Hustle advice!
Many people dream of building their own business or side hustle, but where to start? Chris Guillebeau’s Side Hustle advice can help! ‘Side Hustle, From Idea to income in 27 Days’ is a book about starting a business of your own, from a passion, simply. The book draws on the success of Guillebeau’s book The…
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Business creation: Why raise millions? Chris Guillebeau’s $100 Startup works!
Here’s the thing. Despite what everybody says, building a startup isn’t just about raising funds. Building a startup is about asking the right questions and getting stuff done. And ‘The $100 Startup’ by Chris Guillebeau can help you do that. The $100 Startup is an interesting and easy-to-read book for those interested in building a…
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Hillary Rodham Clinton explains What Happened during the 2016 presidential elections
The U.S. Presidential elections of 2016 were messy, dirty even. So what happened to Hillary Clinton? The book explains the elections. It elaborates on Hillary’s mindset throughout the campaign (and after). The book tells her side of the drama and will be of interest to those who wonder why things didn’t work. This book is…
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Entrepreneurship is tough, Michael E. Gerber’s E-Myth Revisited explains why.
Are you having difficulty running your business? Are you trying to build a startup in a smart way? The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber explains why many business owners struggle to keep their head above the water and what they do wrong. For this, the book is an excellent reading suggestion. Let’s face it, entrepreneurship…
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Pop Culture Now! Geek-Art Anthology | Thomas Olivri
Those of you interested in beautiful coffee table art books – and more precisely pop art design books – will totally love this illustrated album book. In fact, this is one of those coffee table books that we all ought to have. As the title says, the book is full of pop illustrations which will…
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When William Mougayar explains the business blockchain
The Blockchain is a big thing nowadays, but what is all the fuss about? What is the blockchain? How is it working? What will be the impact on business? ‘The Business Blockchain: Promise, Practice, and Application of the Next Internet Technology’ by William Mougayar explains just that. The book clarifies what the technology means but…
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Yup! Tim Ferriss’ 4-hour workweek could change your life!
We all want to work less and have a better work/life balance, right? Now, what if the 4-Hour Workweek model developed by Tim Ferriss made you a new rich? What if it helped change your life for good? In this book, Tim Ferriss uses his business life as a case study. He explains what works and…
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Flowers for Algernon | Daniel Keyes
Wondering what Daniel Keyes’ book ‘Flowers for Algernon’ is about? ‘Flowers for Algernon’ is one of those science-fiction books that you have to read at least once in your life. Not really science fiction, actually. But between science and fiction, that’s for sure! Don’t think twice, go for it, you’ll love it! Spoiler: beware, this…
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Technology: Klaus Schwab sees the fourth industrial revolution. Do you?
Technology is a very trendy topic these days, but again most people just have no clue and just go for chit-chat. Now, The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwab (World Economic Forum Founder ) will give you very serious food for thought on the topic. Long stuff short, Schwab sees a real fourth industrial revolution…
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World politics: Noam Chomsky has one question: Who Rules the World?
Here is a book suggestion if you are into contemporary and current global politics, with an emphasis on United States foreign policy: ‘Who Rules the World?’ by Noam Chomsky. I didn’t enjoy reading the book at all, to be honest. Still, my goal isn’t to make you read books because I like them but because…
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Tech: When Martin Ford warns against the rise of the robots
Technology book suggestion: ‘The Rise of the Robots’ by Martin Ford | I like reading books on technology, especially when they explain what technology is about to change for us. In contrast with more positive books (think Schwab or Ross here), The Rise of the Robots explores the robotization and automation trends. There, Martin ford warns…
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Economics: Arnold Kling explains Specialization and Trade
Trade is one sensitive topic today, between strategical and polemical. So, what is global trade about? How do things work out there? What are the basic principles? In his book ‘Specialization and Trade’, Arnold Kling gives us the basics. Kling starts from the theories of Adam Smith and explains what matters. ‘Specialization and Trade’ is…
I Will Make You Think Smart 