The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

Best books to read when just starting out

For any book discussion

Likwid24

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
295%
Mar 26, 2011
2,098
6,193
46
Staten Island, NY
Hey Everyone,

It's been a long time since I've been on the forum. Been so busy lately, I hardly have time to breathe. Hoping that changes soon (in a good way) and I can get a little more involved again.

I have a few younger people asking me what the best books to read when your first starting out. Im talking late teens early 20's. Books for someone that really doesn't know what they want to do yet. Something that will help them prepare for the real world, or help guide them to their path.

They already understand the some basic fastlane concepts about college, working, 401k's, get rich quick, etc. through my teachings. I'm trying to guide them so they don't make the same mistakes as most people and become sheep.

Here are my top 3 recommended books:

1) The Millionaire Fastlane (Of course! This is the book that changed my life!)

2) How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (This book completely changed my outlook on life. Read it several times and might read it again soon.)

3) The Laws of Success in 16 Lesson by Napoleon Hill (Loved this book too. I think its something every one should read and follow from a young age. Fully read and understand each lesson. If you can master each one, your sure to be successful IMO)

What are your favorites?

BTW - I will post a progress update very soon. I have some really exciting news!
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Formless

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
267%
Oct 27, 2013
599
1,597
The New Psycho Cybernetics - Maxwell Maltz. This one is for anyone who has self-confidence (Self-Image) issues.
 

Kreedos Phoenix

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
282%
Nov 30, 2014
149
420
Phoenix, AZ
Obviously Millionaire Fastlane is an absolutely dope read, which I'd deem a top notch instant classic.

Other books I've read in my journey

The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone-

This was a super charged book that made me want to take it to the haters with results upon completing it. Intense read for sure.

Think and Grow Rich-


This is just a classic read in my opinion. The whole book is on youtube with Napoleon Hill actually speaking. I watch the video every once in a while and go back and read bits and pieces of it whenever I need that pick me up to get me through a project.

Power Questions: Build Relationships, Win New Business and Influence Others By Andrew Sobel, Jerold Panas-

I've won a number of deals off of this book. Real easy read as well

As a Man Thinketh-


Here is a book you can read in like 20 minutes. Really focuses on keeping pure thoughts. Just remember to back up those thoughts with action

I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
-

Nice read on financial management with some practical tips. I actually made my money back on the investment after the first chapter, and raised my credit score by 100 points off of some of these tips.

The Little Green Book of Getting Your Way-Jeff Gitomer-

I attribute a lot of my sales success to Jeff Gitomer (I actually won a sales contest his group put on and have all of his books signed) but it started with this book for me. Real simple read (and it has little cartoons in it). May come off as cheesy for some, but if you're just getting started, read this book. You'll get through it quick.

These are just some of the books I'd recommend.
Peace!
 

The-J

Dog Dad
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
264%
Aug 28, 2011
4,199
11,079
Ontario
TMF , How To Win Friends, Ca$hvertising. If you can't get started on just those books I don't know what to tell you
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Esquire

Divorce Shark
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
244%
Oct 13, 2012
776
1,890
Connecticut
Aside from TMF (my absolute favorite) ... I would recommend:

The Four Hour Workweek (Tim Ferriss)
And
The E-Myth Revisited (Michael Gerber)

All three books are essential (imho).

I mean sure ... there are plenty of great books out there on marketing ... but these three books focus on the big picture and paradigms ... and each brings something unique to the table.

And if someone was brand new to the scene ... I'd also recommend Rich Dad, Poor Dad ... Raise Your Financial IQ ... and the Prophecy (all by Robert Kiyosaki). Great primer material.
 

Franky Neizer

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
84%
May 18, 2014
45
38
Accra
The Unemployed Millionaire - Matt Morris
The SnowBall & The Business of Life - Warren Buffett
The Art of War - Sun Tzu (Not so easy to understand but very strategic)
 

Nicoknowsbest

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
395%
Mar 31, 2014
460
1,818
Austria
Hey @Likwid24 - thanks for starting this thread!

Above from all the ones mentioned above, has anyone read Peter Thiel's new one - "Zero To One"?
I am in about a third and would recommend reading it (so far).

My life changing 3:
1. TMF
2. RDPD
3. How To Win Friends And Influence People
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Fotis

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
207%
Feb 26, 2014
134
277
35
I have a few younger people asking me what the best books to read when your first starting out. Im talking late teens early 20's. Books for someone that really doesn't know what they want to do yet. Something that will help them prepare for the real world, or help guide them to their path.

Well given the context I will definitely suggest Ramit Sethis "Find Your First Profitable Idea" so that they can learn how to move in order to find an idea and make it work.

Although not a book, I would strongly recommend @IceCreamKid thread. Why read a whole book when you can read this diamond for just 5-10 minutes?

Since you want them to be prepared for their path, I would strongly suggest to read a bit of behavioral economics and rationality. Top 2 reads are "Predictably Irrational" and "Thinking, fast and slow". They will learn how normal it is to fall on planning fallacies, what sunk cost fallacy is and recognize it before they waste valuable time and money etc etc.

And of course, The Millionaire Fastlane .
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Andy Black

Help people. Get paid. Help more people.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
370%
May 20, 2014
18,563
68,692
Ireland
TMF

Start With Why

The One Thing

80/20 Sales and Marketing

The Entrepreneurs Guide To Getting Your Shit Together
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.
Last edited:

Fotis

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
207%
Feb 26, 2014
134
277
35
The Entrepreneurs Guide To Getting Your Shit Together

Andy, I have read that the book is focused mainly on copywriting and I have not read it because of that claim. Is it correct or there are pearls of wisdom even for someone who is not into copywriting?
 

Daniel A

DIESEL
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
116%
Jun 20, 2013
1,061
1,233
California, USA
The books that the others recommended are ones I would recommend too -- but I haven't read them all of course.

I just watched this YouTube video that Bill Gates uploaded on his YouTube channel. He recommends his "Best Books of 2014"


EDIT:
I was looking at the books that Bill recommends for Amazon Kindle and they're some of the most expensive ones I've seen (for Kindle). They're priced like small text-books. Very cool books though ... for thinking on a higher level.
 
Last edited:

Andy Black

Help people. Get paid. Help more people.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
370%
May 20, 2014
18,563
68,692
Ireland
Lots of pearls of wisdom. It's in my "must read again" pile...

Andy, I have read that the book is focused mainly on copywriting and I have not read it because of that claim. Is it correct or there are pearls of wisdom even for someone who is not into copywriting?
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

InspireHD

Gold Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
243%
Dec 9, 2014
516
1,254
A lot of good replies in here. I'm a big fan of reading.

My recommendation is a book called "Who Moved My Cheese?" It's a very short book with a lot of good advice in adapting to change. It can literally be read in one day. I was able to find a copy at my local thrift store.
 

Forodstar

Contributor
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
115%
Nov 2, 2014
68
78
34
Rich Dad Poor Dad - mortgage for a house you can't afford = sucks. Car repayments you can't afford = suck. Bank loan that funds your kick a$$ business = good. Buy to let mortgage = cool.

TMF - to be financial successful before your old and grey you need to be focusing on making financial systems. Playing the middle class rich slowly route could result in a wasted life.

How to be rich - Felix Dennis - see above its all about financial systems i.e. ownership. Money = inherit it, steal it, win it, marry it, earn it or borrow it

Think and Grow Rich - Desire, focus.

^ The big 4 must read for noobs.

Laws of Success - If you think you can, you can.

Slight edge - today's habit counts more than almost anything you can do.

Tony Robbins - IMO his audio is better than books which are dense. We run away from Pain, we run towards pleasure. I love his tonality Zig Ziglar and Brian Tracy do it too they pump up people by actually sounding alive and passionate.

Power of Now. I don't agree with everything this guy says. But your life is now. Go to the past or future in your mind by all means sometimes if its helpful. You are not your mind, you are being that is living right now observing the present moment.

Paul McKenna and Mark Cunningham - hypnosis is legit. Health, wealth, confident IMO as relaxing and beneficial as meditation plus kick a$$ for the subconscious mind.

Pick up artist (oh I read a lot of this) stuff - people will reject you but you got to keep plugging forward there's plenty more humans out there to mate with or sell to. People test each other to see what status the other is, to get over these tests a sense of humour and being a master of body language is extremely helpful.

No Fap movement - porn is one of the biggest dangers to modern men. Porn lights up the same parts of the brain as drug users http://yourbrainonporn.com/cambridge-university-brain-scans-find-porn-addiction Eliminating it is a priority and should be taking very seriously. The sex instinct if misapplied is as damaging as it gets.

Stuart Achor. Have your Zorro circle. Master something and expand it.

Influence Cialdini - You will influence people when: you have something they want that is scarce, you have social proof, you force them to be consistent with their past actions, you do them a good turn, they like you, you are the authority.

Willpower instinct - willpower is a muscle it wears especially when you are sick or hungry. Make friends with your future self - make it easier for that guy.

80/20 Principle - most of what you are doing sucks. Cut down on the things that suck and do things get you results and make you happy.

Sedona method - find out where your feeling of anxiety is coming from and let it go.

This is the stuff on my wall that I have found helpful from what I have read - watching this thread with interest.
 
Last edited:

Mattie

Platinum Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
129%
May 28, 2014
3,485
4,490
53
U.S.

pds

Bronze Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
132%
Apr 28, 2014
188
248
35
NYC
The Narrow Road - Felix Dennis (Solid follow-up book to his first one and good to use as a reference guide)
 

Mrs. BRKb

Gold Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
142%
Apr 27, 2008
703
1,001
USA
The Art of War - Sun Tzu (Not so easy to understand but very strategic)


And The War of Art.


book2_028.jpg
 

mikekob

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
198%
Oct 29, 2013
235
465
Denver, CO
Currently I'm reading he Biography of Steve Jobs and Founders Dilemmas. Both are amazing. I'd say anyone looking to get into any sort of tech type start up, or really any start up needs to read FD. It's an incredible "textbook" that addresses every issue I've had come up so far. Really helped me with the power versus wealth aspect of a company.
 

Marc B.

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
204%
Sep 23, 2012
290
593
Oklahoma
Cashvertising (Ca$hvertising) by Drew Eric Whitman

I go back to this book over and over again when I'm making ad copy. It's short, and it has a great summary with checklists at the back for quick reference. I can't remember who, on this forum, recommended it to me, but thank you! Now I'm passing their recommendation to you.

Bottom line: This book has made me money.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Mediaman

PARKED
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
0% - New User
Nov 3, 2014
2
0
56
Hey Everyone,

It's been a long time since I've been on the forum. Been so busy lately, I hardly have time to breathe. Hoping that changes soon (in a good way) and I can get a little more involved again.

I have a few younger people asking me what the best books to read when your first starting out. Im talking late teens early 20's. Books for someone that really doesn't know what they want to do yet. Something that will help them prepare for the real world, or help guide them to their path.

They already understand the some basic fastlane concepts about college, working, 401k's, get rich quick, etc. through my teachings. I'm trying to guide them so they don't make the same mistakes as most people and become sheep.

Here are my top 3 recommended books:

1) The Millionaire Fastlane (Of course! This is the book that changed my life!)

2) How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (This book completely changed my outlook on life. Read it several times and might read it again soon.)

3) The Laws of Success in 16 Lesson by Napoleon Hill (Loved this book too. I think its something every one should read and follow from a young age. Fully read and understand each lesson. If you can master each one, your sure to be successful IMO)

What are your favorites?

BTW - I will post a progress update very soon. I have some really exciting news!
 

Mediaman

PARKED
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
0% - New User
Nov 3, 2014
2
0
56
The Laptop Millionaire was pretty good. Lots of tips and info on how to grow an online business.
 

SeanyHang

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
287%
May 24, 2013
167
479
34
New Jersey
Do you guys know of any books that kind of cover a broad range of how to really kick some a$$ with internet marketing? I'm looking for something that's more of a how-to guide on say, setting up a FB ad or using Adwords.. Maybe something that could list the different avenues that you could utilize (which I could then look up other books on how to specialize on the aspects they mention).
Thanks in advance for any recommendations !!!!:rockon:
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Bowden

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
136%
Sep 29, 2010
236
321
TAMPA, FL
I read Think and Grow Rich and Rich Dad, Poor Dad when I was in my teens. I think the parallels of Rich Dad, Poor Dad makes it a good book for someone that's interested in getting into business for themselves. You can probably put The Millionaire Fastlane up as the modern Rich Dad, Poor Dad - meaning the first book on entrepreneurship to read.
 

Rethagos

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
126%
Dec 25, 2014
38
48
29
Poland
How did it happen that nobody mentioned Robert Greene?

48 Laws of Power,
50th Law
these are my personal favs. May not seem directly related to any sort of business, but they hit at the core of it - accumulating power
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top