Andrew Ross Sorkin
Author, Journalist, Writer
American financial journalist who founded The New York Times' DealBook, co-anchors CNBC's Squawk Box and wrote Too Big to Fail and 1929.
Andrew Ross Sorkin's 95 Book Recommendations
- Barbarians at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco: “Of my absolute favorite business books, two are obvious classics that have already received their due but can’t be omitted: “Barbarians at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco” by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar”
- Liar's Poker: ““Liar’s Poker” by Michael Lewis, a romp through his time as a young trader at Salomon Brothers.”
- Den of Thieves: “If I could read only one book this summer, it would be “Den of Thieves” by James B. Stewart... The book is a masterful look at the insider trading scandals and greed on Wall Street of the late 1980s”
- The Intelligent Investor: “there is perhaps the one “must” book on the list that will help you think about Wall Street, investing and, surprisingly, life. It is “The Intelligent Investor””
- Elon Musk: “At the top of my list is a book about the most interesting entrepreneur of the moment, Elon Musk.”
- The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: The Life and Times of Jacob Fugger: ““The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: The Life and Times of Jacob Fugger,” by Greg Steinmetz... introduces an obscure but fascinating business titan.”
- Red Notice: “It is part John Grisham-like thriller, part business and political memoir... It’s a hard book to put down.”
- Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money: ““Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money,” by Nathaniel Popper, is an artfully told tale of the origins of bitcoin.”
- The Informant: A True Story: “The book reads like a John Grisham thriller that just happens to be true and happens to be about business. It has some of the best, richest dialogue I have ever read in a nonfiction book”
- Indecent Exposure: A True Story of Hollywood and Wall Street: ““Indecent Exposure,” a rollicking good read about a Hollywood scandal and the ultimate boardroom power struggle at Columbia Pictures.”
- Steve Jobs: “For readers looking for a great biography, start with “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson. It provides remarkable insight into the eccentricities and drive of Mr. Jobs.”
- Titan: “Then grab Ron Chernow’s “Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller Sr.””
- The Prince: “it is always worth reading the ultimate philosophical classic: “The Prince” by Niccolò Machiavelli.”
- Once in Golconda: “Yes. Great book. Love Brooks!”
- Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World: “A good place to start is “Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World” by Liaquat Ahamed”
- Capitalism and Freedom: “Also worth plucking off the shelf is “Capitalism and Freedom” by Milton Friedman, a seminal work that helped frame a long and heated debate about capitalism versus socialism”
- The World Is Flat: “It changed the way we think about global business, competitiveness and the implication for far-flung economies, governments, education and more... If you haven’t read it, do so.”
- The Art of War: “While we’re talking about titans and strategy, pick up “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu... it is an interesting window into the soul and strategy of much of the corporate world.”
- Uncontrolled Spread: “His new book nails what happened and how to fix it so we can get back to normal and avoid the next one.”
- Think Again: “@AdamMGrant's new book has me rethinking everything.”
- Black Edge: “Short version: Great, fun book that reads like a thriller about Steve Cohen but no major revelations if you've kept up w/press.”
- Tools of Titans: “That's was fun, Tim. Congrats on the new book!”
- Tell Your Children: “I often quote from this book when debating the "other side" of the legalization of pot”
- Zero to One: “I’ve read it several times and each time I learn something new from Thiel”
- Shaky Ground: The Strange Saga of the U.S. Mortgage Giants: “Bethany McLean’s new book, “Shaky Ground: The Strange Saga of the US Mortgage Giants,” is a detailed examination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.”
- 1873: The Rothschilds, the First Great Depression, and the Making of the Modern World: “His new book, 1873, is an instructive and meticulously told story about one of first major market crashes.”
- The Final Score: “I've been on a flight reading @donwinslow's new book, The Final Score. Riveting.”
- Long Island Compromise: “Her new book, Long Island Compromise, is a winner. Amazing writing. Amazing story. Amazing all around. I don't say this lightly.”
- A Fatal Inheritance: How a Family Misfortune Revealed a Deadly Medical Mystery: “I spent my flight back from Paris last night reading my friend @IngrassiaLA's new book, A Fatal Inheritance. It is remarkably riveting and moving.”
- Spooked: The Trump Dossier, Black Cube, and the Rise of Private Spies: “Fascinating excerpt from @BarryMeier’s new book, Spooked.”
- How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: “I'll be interviewing @BillGates later today about his new book "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,"”
- No Rules Rules: “This happened today when I was taping an interview with @reedhastings about his new book No Rules Rules.”
- No Filter: “Happy publication day to @sarahfrier on her awesome new book, No Filter.”
- Billion Dollar Brand Club: How Dollar Shave Club, Warby Parker, and Other Disruptors Are Remaking What We Buy: “Great excerpt in @nytimes from @IngrassiaLA's new book Billion Dollar Brand Club”
- How Money Became Dangerous: The Inside Story of Our Turbulent Relationship with Modern Finance: “This insider, Chris Varelas, has a surprisingly candid and insightful new book out about the perils of industry called “How Money Became Dangerous.””
- What It Takes: “I’ll be in conversation about the global economy and philanthropy with @blackstone chairman, CEO and co-founder Stephen A. Schwarzman, author of the new book "What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence."”
- The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life: “Reading @SahilBloom’s book The Five Types of Wealth.”
- Greenlights: “I’m listening to @McConaughey’s #greenlights book and it is spectacular. His story and narration is engrossing. Possibly the best audio book I’ve ever heard.”
- Own It: The Secret to Life: “@DVF joins us on @SquawkCNBC to discuss the future of workwear and lessons on how to "Own It" from her latest book.”
- Dark Towers: “Weekend Reading @DealBook Musts: @davidenrich’s Dark Towers”
- Whistleblower: My Unlikely Journey to Silicon Valley and Speaking Out Against Injustice: “Weekend Reading @DealBook Musts: @davidenrich’s Dark Towers, @susanthesquark’s Whistleblower”
- The Survivors: A Story of War, Inheritance, and Healing: “There are few books that moved me so much, that took me on an emotional journey and that have brought me to tears as my friend @apfrankel’s The Survivors.”
- The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation: “It actually comes across as remarkably well balanced — surprisingly so, given all the commentary. I could see readers on either side of the aisle appreciating the book.”
- Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America’s Opioid Epidemic: “He has written a facinating and important book about the opioid crisis: Pain Killer”
- Brotopia: “Congrats to @emilychangtv on her new book BROTOPIA: Breaking Up the Boys' Club of Silicon Valley!”
- When the Wolves Bite: “Just finished reading a galley of my @CNBC colleague @scottwapner's forthcoming book When the Wolves Bite... The book is a telling examination of the psychology of billionaires trying to one-up each other.”
- The Spider Network: “Try @davidenrich's new book Spider Network next! Or anything by Michael Lewis.”
- The Prisoner: “I'm addicted to my pal @AlexBerenson's latest thriller, The Prisoner. Each time I need to stop reading, I can't.”
- Kissinger: 1923–1968: The Idealist: “Congratulations @nfergus! Kissinger: 1923-1968: The Idealist Wins @CFR_org Arthur Ross Book Award. I was a judge”
- Missing Man: The American Spy Who Vanished in Iran: “Congrats to @BarryMeier on his new MUST-READ book Missing Man.”
- Getting There: A Book of Mentors: “Fascinating new book on great mentors by @GillianZoeSegal. Getting There: A Book of Mentors”
- Signature Kill: “Looking for a great thriller to read? My pal @davidlevien's new book is out today: Signature Kill”
- Good Talk, Dad: The Birds and the Bees...and Other Conversations We Forgot to Have: “Reading my pal @WillieGeist's new book "Good Talk, Dad." Good fun. I'm giving it to my Dad for Father's Day.”
- Octopus: Sam Israel, the Secret Market, and Wall Street’s Wildest Con: “I went to visit Sam in prison after reading an advance copy of the book Octopus by Guy Lawson. The story is wild”
- The Shadow Patrol: “Just read "The Shadow Patrol" over the weekend by my friend @AlexBerenson. Great spy novel! Possibly his best yet.”
- The Darlings: “FD: The Darlings author Chistina Alger is a friend and works w/my wife. Loved the book”
- The Obamas: “just started reading @jodikantor's book on #theobamas. psychodrama in the white house is riveting.”
- The Price of Everything: The True Cost of Living: “just finished a great new book, the price of everything, by my friend eduardoporter.com”
- Zilch: “my friend @nancylublin has a new book out called "zilch" -- it's a fun biz book.”
- The Midnight House: “great read: alex berenson's new thriller "the midnight house." unbelievable book. better than "24."”
- The Faithful Spy: “Romney, in the final stretch of the campaign, is reading A Faithful Spy, by my friend @alexberenson. Great book!”
- Indentured: The Inside Story of the Rebellion Against the NCAA: “This is my writing hero @NoceraNYT. He has a new book out today about NCAA: "Indentured"”
- The Wolves: “Amazing read. Edge of your seat. New thriller by pal @AlexBerenson "The Wolves"”
- This Was Not the Plan: “Congrats @cristinaalger! Brilliant, touching book on fatherhood: "This Was Not the Plan"”
- Thrive: “Loving @ariannahuff's new book Thrive. She's upending how we think about work.”
- The Power of Habit: “Congrats to my pal @cduhigg on his great book, now in paperback: The Power of Habit.”
- The Night Ranger: “congrats to @alexberenson. his book, the night ranger, was chosen by @amazon as kindle of day on sunday”
- The Billionaire’s Apprentice: The Rise of the Indian-American Elite and the Fall of the Galleon Hedge Fund: “Congrats to my friend Anita Raghavan on the amazing book review of 'Billionaire's Apprentice' in today's NYT”
- Oddly Normal: One Family’s Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality: “must read: i just finished the gifted @jswatz's new book "oddly normal" about raising his gay son. it's remarkable. a must.”
- The Selling of the American Economy: How Foreign Companies Are Remaking the American Dream: “just finished reading my colleague @MickiMaynard's new book, "The Selling of the American Economy." it was terrific.”
- Gods at War: Shotgun Takeovers, Government by Deal, and the Private Equity Implosion: “my good friend, steven davidoff, aka "the deal professor" has a new book out called "gods at war"”
- The Greatest Sentence Ever Written: “Walter did something quite remarkable with this book…”
- Never Enough: “Congrats to my friend @JBrehenyWallace on her awesome new book about parenting, kids and the pressure we all put on ourselves.”
- A World of Hurt: Fixing Pain Medicine's Biggest Mistake: “My pal @barrymeier is out with a great new book on the prescription painkiller epidemic: "A World of Hurt"”
- A Prayer for Owen Meany: “A Prayer for Owen Meany -- my favorite book!”
- Broken: “Page turner. A tremendous collection of riveting stories + writing by @donwinslow.”
- Security Analysis: Sixth Edition, Foreword by Warren Buffett: “Ben Graham's Securities Analysis is a classic. Not exactly easy reading, but a great education.”
- A Year and Six Seconds: “@isabelgillies (writer+actress) has a great new book out.”
- The Shifts and the Shocks: “The book... is a surprisingly refreshing look at the biggest financial calamity since the Great Depression. Just when you thought everything that could be said about the crisis had been said, Mr. Wolf adds something new.”
- The Innovators: “One of my favorite biographers is Walter Isaacson... The book is filled with gems of no-names (at least to most of us) whose seemingly small ideas had huge impacts.”
- Money and Tough Love: “Here's a book for the true finance nerd... it made me interested in the International Monetary Fund, an institution that I never fully appreciated... it is an instructive text.”
- Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China: “If you want to understand China, to really get a visceral feel for the issues facing the country and its economy, the most readable book I've found is “Age of Ambition.””
- Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time: “It's not a self-help book per se, but I found many of the anecdotes and stories personally instructive... I found it to be just as relevant for me.”
- So Much to Do: “This last book has flown under the radar but deserves to be highlighted as simply a delightful memoir... It is a small book, but it is filled with great stories and lessons.”
- When Genius Failed: “When Genius Failed by Roger Lowenstein. You know, there were so many of these books that brought you in the room, that made you feel like you were there”
- Television Is the New Television: “Michael Wolff has written a somewhat contrarian book, Television Is the New Television... I'm not sure whether he's right or not, but the book will make you think.”
- Janesville: “Perhaps the most illuminating business book of the year, for me, is Amy Goldstein's Janesville: An American Story. If you really want to understand what's going on in today's real economy... spend some time with this true tale of what happened in the middle-class town of Janesville, Wisconsin, after General Motors closed a factory there.”
- Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley: “The most fun business book I have read this year? "Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley," by a former Facebook executive, Antonio García Martinez. I was sent a galley copy several months ago and picked it up with no intention of reading more than the first couple of pages. I don't think I looked up until about three hours later.”
- The Best Team Money Can Buy: The Los Angeles Dodgers' Wild Struggle to Build a Baseball Powerhouse: “@molly_knight great book! (Replying to the author; her only book at the time.)”
- A Good Life: Newspapering and Other Adventures: “One of the reasons I got into the newspaper business was Ben Bradlee after reading his terrific biography...RIP”
- Twelve Days: “Great new thriller by my friend Alex Berenson...”
- Principles: “My NYT column on Ray Dalio's new book, Principles. It is an important book. I was surprisingly moved by it. I found it to be remarkably engaging. It made me think about life and how we all deal with each other in pretty profound ways. And Mr. Dalio's own story about how he came to these principles is fascinating.”
- Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises: “If you want to learn from history, Ray's new book is worth reading.”
- The Golden Passport: “The book, “The Golden Passport,” by the veteran business journalist Duff McDonald, is a richly reported indictment of the school as a leading reason that corporate America is disdained by much of the country.”
- The Great Crash 1929: “I actually didn't know much. I had read JK Galbraith [The Great Crash, 1929] and a couple other books.”