Books about Business, and business people, and IT, and stuff

[David]

Hey all

I've never really been able to read on the bus of a morning and afternoon, I get quite the stomach ache. But I did find that if I'm REALLY in to what I'm reading, I read differently, and it doesn't affect me nearly as much.

I've found that books about businesses, and business people.. or true stories about things like that are great. Not just business as such though, history of interesting events, IT/Computing, anything like that.

I was wondering if anyone has any good ones I can read?

Recently I've read:

Masters of Doom
Follows early computing in the USA, with John Carmack and John Romero creating games that lead to Commander Keen, Wolfenstein and Doom.

The GOOGLE Story
Again, an IT book about Larry Page and Sergey Brin and their creation of Google whilst at university.

The Draft
Written by Emma Quayle who follows the AFL and younger leagues closely, this book follows the events leading up to the 2007 AFL National Draft. Follows Brad Ebert, Trent Cotchin and various other kids as they battle injuries etc in the hope of being drafted.

Starbucked
Very good read about the coffee boom, it's culture, and how Starbucks has changed the world for better and worse. Impartial and well written.

SEX.com
A book about the theft of sex.com - probably the most sought after domain name in Internet history. The amounts of money bandied around in this book are amazing (initially, some sex sites would pay sex.com $45k a month to place a banner on their front page). Deals with how it was stolen, and the (almost) 10 year battle to win it back.

Gerry Harvey
Shorter book about the rise of Gerry Harvey, probably the most successful retailer Australia has ever seen. Since Norman Ross, his first company, was bought by Alan Bond (and then Gerry was sacked) to starting Harvey Norman, this book is a more basic read about managing, and Gerry's style.



I plan to get Richard Branson's latest book which deals more with his business than his exploits in hot air balloons et al.. and a few others.

[Scotty]

I read "The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron" - and it was riveting. Those guys were f**king crazy

[Todd Rivers]

Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert T. Kiyosaki

And one of the most insightful books of human behaviour is The Definative Book of Body Language by Allan & Barbara Pease.

Going into a pub after reading this book will never be the same!

[David]

Pease can be a bit of a wanker though. I have seen that book.

Scott - seen that, was going to get that too. Looks quite interesting - crazy bastards in charge of such a powerful company!

[Garth Kay]

Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert T. Kiyosaki

And one of the most insightful books of human behaviour is The Definative Book of Body Language by Allan & Barbara Pease.

Going into a pub after reading this book will never be the same!

Brayden has recommended Rich Dad, Poor Dad to me several times now. Says it changed his life.

[Bacon]

Dave, would u lend out The Draft?

I read Branson's autobiog a few years ago now, and it was great. Somewhere i've got a book about how The Simpsons became engrained into our society.

I'd like to read about Alan Sugar.

Edit: the book was "planet Simpson:how a cartoon masterpiece documented an era and defined a generation". But i can't find it in my books.

[David]

Dave, would u lend out The Draft?

I read Branson's autobiog a few years ago now, and it was great. Somewhere i've got a book about how The Simpsons became engrained into our society.

I'd like to read about Alan Sugar.

No worries. My mate has it at the moment but he's finished it, so when he returns the book I'll let you borrow it.

This is a second one for Branson - the one you have/read is the red one maybe? Has a lot on his adventures at the like. The newer one is more based towards the business side.

[Bacon]

losing my virginity is the one i read.

[BigPete33]

I'd like to read about Alan Sugar.

Because as sure as his bum has a hole in it......




Alan Sugar is hilarious

[Bacon]

Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert T. Kiyosaki

Brayden has recommended Rich Dad, Poor Dad to me several times now. Says it changed his life.

I borrowed this from the library last night. We'll see how it goes.. I've wanted to read it for ages.